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Heart rate, cardiac output and ventilation: Edexcel A‑Level Biology A questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology A exam question on Heart rate, cardiac output and ventilation (specification points 7.8–7.9), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,749 questions

  1. Q2(a)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 2(a): When using a spirometer, the same air is repeatedly inhaled and exhaled. Before the air is inhaled from the spirometer, it passes through soda lime to remove ca

  2. Q2(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 2(b)(i): Which is the breathing rate at rest for this person? (1) A 6 breaths per minute B 7 breaths per minute C 14 breaths per minute D 16 breaths per minute

  3. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 2(b)(ii): The resting respiratory minute ventilation can be calculated using this trace, and the equation: Resting respiratory minute volume = resting breathing rate (in

  4. Q2(b)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 2(b)(iii): Devise an investigation, using a spirometer, to find the change in the rate of oxygen uptake of a person during exercise compared with at rest. (3)

  5. Q8(e)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 8(e): Explain why there will be changes in blood pressure when a mammal comes out of hibernation (paragraph 13). (2)

  6. Q3(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 3(a)(i): Explain why rapid breathing is a symptom of carbon dioxide poisoning. (4)

  7. Q3(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 3(a)(ii): A person’s breathing rate can be calculated from a spirometer trace. Which of the following calculations would give the rate of breathing as breaths per minute?

  8. Q3(b)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    3 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 3(b): Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were also recorded for the people with carbon dioxide poisoning. The diagram shows part of an ECG. K (Source: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHO

  9. Q8(c)

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    4 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 8(c): Describe how a spirometer could be used to estimate the metabolic rate of a sloth (paragraph 5). (4)

  10. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 1(b)(i): Give a reason why the heart will continue to beat after being removed from the body. (1)

  11. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 1(b)(ii): Explain why the left atrium stops beating when it is separated from the right atrium. (2)

  12. Q4(a)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 4(a)(i): Tachycardia for an adult is defined as a heart rate above 100 beats per minute. Calculate the percentage increase above 100 beats per minute for the heart rate

  13. Q4(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 4(a)(ii): The length of time labelled Z on the ECG was shorter than for a person with a normal heart rate. Which of the following is shown by label Z on the diagram? (1)

  14. Q4(b)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marksSynapsesHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 4(b): One of the poisons in the berries can bind to acetylcholine receptors on the surface membrane of cells in the SAN. This prevents acetylcholine binding to the re

  15. Q5(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5(a): The diagram shows a trace produced using a spirometer. 2 1 3 4 Which of the following parts of the spirometer trace could be used to determine the maximum volum

  16. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    4 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 5(b)(i): Devise a valid investigation, using a spirometer, to test this hypothesis. (4)

  17. Q7(b)(iii)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    6 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 7(b)(iii): The photograph shows athletes competing in the modern triathlon. © Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Stringer The modern triathlon involves three sports: swimming, cyclin

  18. Q3(a)(i)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    2 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 3(a)(i): Calculate the percentage change in male heart rate caused by increasing the dose of beta-blocker from very low to high. (2) Answer

  19. Q3(a)(ii)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    4 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 3(a)(ii): Deduce the effect of beta-blockers on the supply of blood to muscle during exercise. (4)

  20. Q3(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 3

    4 marksHeart rate, cardiac output and ventilation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 3, question 3(c): Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of a hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney. Adrenalin
All 34 questions on Heart rate, cardiac output and ventilation, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): When using a spirometer, the same air is repeatedly inhaled and exhaled. Before the air is inhaled from the spirometer, it passes through soda lime to remove ca
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which is the breathing rate at rest for this person? (1) A 6 breaths per minute B 7 breaths per minute C 14 breaths per minute D 16 breaths per minute
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): The resting respiratory minute ventilation can be calculated using this trace, and the equation: Resting respiratory minute volume = resting breathing rate (in
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Devise an investigation, using a spirometer, to find the change in the rate of oxygen uptake of a person during exercise compared with at rest. (3)
  5. June 2025, Paper 3, Q8(e) (2 marks): Explain why there will be changes in blood pressure when a mammal comes out of hibernation (paragraph 13). (2)
  6. June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (4 marks): Explain why rapid breathing is a symptom of carbon dioxide poisoning. (4)
  7. June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): A person’s breathing rate can be calculated from a spirometer trace. Which of the following calculations would give the rate of breathing as breaths per minute?
  8. June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were also recorded for the people with carbon dioxide poisoning. The diagram shows part of an ECG. K (Source: KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHO
  9. June 2024, Paper 3, Q8(c) (4 marks): Describe how a spirometer could be used to estimate the metabolic rate of a sloth (paragraph 5). (4)
  10. June 2023, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why the heart will continue to beat after being removed from the body. (1)
  11. June 2023, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the left atrium stops beating when it is separated from the right atrium. (2)
  12. June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Tachycardia for an adult is defined as a heart rate above 100 beats per minute. Calculate the percentage increase above 100 beats per minute for the heart rate
  13. June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): The length of time labelled Z on the ECG was shorter than for a person with a normal heart rate. Which of the following is shown by label Z on the diagram? (1)
  14. June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b) (3 marks): One of the poisons in the berries can bind to acetylcholine receptors on the surface membrane of cells in the SAN. This prevents acetylcholine binding to the re
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): The diagram shows a trace produced using a spirometer. 2 1 3 4 Which of the following parts of the spirometer trace could be used to determine the maximum volum
  16. June 2022, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (4 marks): Devise a valid investigation, using a spirometer, to test this hypothesis. (4)
  17. November 2021, Paper 2, Q7(b)(iii) (6 marks): The photograph shows athletes competing in the modern triathlon. © Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Stringer The modern triathlon involves three sports: swimming, cyclin
  18. November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in male heart rate caused by increasing the dose of beta-blocker from very low to high. (2) Answer
  19. November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(a)(ii) (4 marks): Deduce the effect of beta-blockers on the supply of blood to muscle during exercise. (4)
  20. November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(c) (4 marks): Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of a hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands located on top of each kidney. Adrenalin
  21. October 2020, Paper 2, Q2(a) (4 marks): Describe how a spirometer trace can be used to calculate the respiratory minute ventilation and the oxygen consumption per minute. (4) respiratory minute ventil
  22. October 2020, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): A student compared the spirometer trace for a pair of healthy, genetically identical twins. State two variables that would have to be controlled to make this a
  23. June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain the role of the brain in reducing the student’s heart rate after the exercise. (2)
  24. June 2019, Paper 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): Changes in the cardiac cycle can be observed by recording an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECG for a resting person is shown in the diagram. 0.2 second Calculate
  25. June 2019, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Analyse the data to determine the effect of anabolic steroid use on heart function. (2)
  26. June 2019, Paper 3, Q3(a) (2 marks): Changes in breathing can be investigated using a spirometer. Spirometer traces taken from the same individual before, during and two minutes after exercise are
  27. June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Cardiac output is the product of stroke volume and heart rate. During a race, a marathon runner’s exercise intensity increased from 0 to 100%. The table shows t
  28. June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why it is necessary for the cardiac output of marathon runners to increase during a race. (2)
  29. June 2017, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which term describes the ability of heart muscle to contract without external stimulation? (1) A autonomic B cardiac C myogenic D systolic
  30. June 2017, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Describe how the sinoatrial node (SAN) is involved in bringing about a change in heart rate as the level of activity increases. (2)
  31. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the following is the name of this piece of apparatus? (1) A colorimeter B potometer C respirometer D spirometer
  32. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following is shown by the label V on the trace? (1) A alveolar volume B tidal volume C total lung volume D ventilation rate
  33. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which of the following is the breathing rate in breaths per minute between 80 and 120 seconds? (1) A 6 breaths min−1 B 9 breaths min−1 C 12 breaths min−1 D 16 b
  34. June 2017, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iv) (3 marks): Calculate the rate of oxygen uptake between 80 and 120 seconds. (3) Answer cm3 min−1

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