Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: Edexcel International A Level Biology questions

Every Edexcel International A Level Biology exam question on Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors (specification points 1.10–1.14), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 131 questions on Cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, as a list

June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q1(a) (3 marks): Read through the following passage about prothrombin and the blood clotting process. Complete the passage by writing the most appropriate word or words on the d
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q1(b) (1 mark): Which pair of drugs is used to treat patients who have short blood clotting times? (1) A anticoagulants and antihypertensives B anticoagulants and platelet inhi
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q1(c) (1 mark): The range for a healthy PT is between 10 and 13 seconds. A person with a PT of 8.5 seconds was treated with a drug to increase the PT time to 10 seconds. Calcul
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q8(b) (1 mark): The development of gum disease can be reduced by good oral hygiene. This is one example of a healthy lifestyle. Give two other examples of a healthy lifestyle t
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(ii) (3 marks): It was important that all the people in the study had similar blood pressure that was within a healthy range. Explain why this was important. (3)
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(iii) (1 mark): Calculate the blood pressure of a person who has a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 11.0 kPa and a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 6.7 kPa, using the formula:
June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(iv) (3 marks): The scientists assessed the damage to endothelial cells. Explain why damage to endothelial cells might be an indication that a person is at risk of CVD. (3)
June 2025, Unit 5, Q8(d) (3 marks): Describe how the cardiovascular health of participants in the UK Biobank study could be assessed (paragraph 6). (3)
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Which molecule, released from platelets, results in blood clotting? (1) A fibrinogen B prothrombin C thrombin D thromboplastin
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which pair of molecules are enzymes in their active form? (1) A fibrinogen and prothrombin B prothrombin and thrombin C thrombin and thromboplastin D thrombopla
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which molecule found in the blood is insoluble? (1) A fibrin B fibrinogen C prothrombin D thromboplastin
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3(b) (3 marks): Pulmonary embolism can be caused by a DVT when the blood clot travels through the circulatory system and blocks the pulmonary artery. Symptoms of pulmonary embo
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q3(c) (3 marks): A study of bears in Sweden discovered that these bears produced less HSP47 protein when hibernating in the winter. This protein is found on platelets and is inv
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(a) (2 marks): Describe the differences between CVD and CHD. (2)
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the BMI of this woman. Use the formula: mass in kg BMI = ( height in m )2 (1) Answer
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the WHR of this woman. (1) Answer : 1
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why high blood pressure is a risk factor for CVD. (2)
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): Some other risk factors were recorded as being either present or absent but were not measured. Name two other risk factors that might have been recorded but not
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q4(c)(iii) (3 marks): The graphs show the BMI and WHR of the men and women who died due to either CVD or CHD. Key: men women 15 10 Percentage of people who died due to 5 cardiovascul
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): The graph shows the relationship between blood cholesterol levels and the coronary heart disease death rate in men in four parts of the world. Key: Northern Eur
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Statins can cause side effects. Give two side effects of taking statins. (1) 1 2
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Liver cells take up cholesterol by endocytosis. Explain how an increase in these LDL receptors will help to reduce blood cholesterol levels. (2)
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): In the UK, approximately 270 000 people have FH. The disorder affects 1 in 250 people in the UK. Calculate the population size of the UK. Express your answer in
January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): The disorder can be caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for LDL receptors. Suggest why statins are less effective in treating people who are homozygous
January 2025, Unit 5, Q6(c) (6 marks): Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the biggest causes of death in the world. In 2021, nearly 25% of all deaths were attributed to CVD. Exercise can help pre
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(a) (2 marks): Explain why a safe but effective dose of warfarin needs to be given to a patient. (2)
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (3 marks): Eating soybeans may reduce cholesterol and low‑density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood. Explain why eating soybeans may reduce the risk of heart disease. (3)
October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q6(d) (3 marks): The soybean peptides, at different concentrations, were incubated with the liver cells growing in culture. The enzyme HMGCR is involved in the synthesis of chol
October 2024, Unit 5, Q8(a) (2 marks): Describe the possible role of hypertension (high blood pressure) in causing dementia (Paragraphs 2 and 19). (2)
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(c) (3 marks): In haemophilia, activation of the blood clotting pathway results in less thrombin being produced than in healthy individuals. Explain how reduced thrombin will
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): The graph shows the production of monacolin K during the fermentation of rice by yeast. 400 Concentration of monacolin K 300 / mg per 100 g of rice 200 100 0 0
June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (1 mark): Name two possible side effects of being treated with statins. (1) 1 2
June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): The percentage decrease in the vitamin C content of the fruit with no coating, over the 60-day period, was 43.75%. Calculate the difference in the percentage de
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Name one other obesity indicator. (1)
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of the following is the BMI of a person who has a mass of 65 kg and a height of 165 cm? (1) A 23 B 24 C 39 D 40
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): A person’s BMI is used to put them into a weight category. A person with a BMI of 25 and above, but below 30, is considered to be overweight but not obese. Whic
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(b) (1 mark): People who are overweight or obese are encouraged to lose weight. State two ways in which a person could lose weight. (1) 1 2
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q5(d)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why the rate of replication of the bacteria could affect weight loss. (2)
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean rate of increase in the surface of arteries covered in lesions from 16 to 60 months in the primates given saturated lipids (graph 1). (1) Ans
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the ratio of primates with atherosclerosis given saturated lipids to those given unsaturated lipids, at 32 months (graph 2). (1) Answer
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the difference in the area of the atheromas in males compared with females, in primates given saturated fats (graph 3). Give your answer in µm2. (2) A
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(iv) (6 marks): These primates were fed a diet supplemented with cholesterol and either saturated lipids or unsaturated lipids. Deduce the effects of these two diets on the dev
January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(v) (3 marks): Discuss the ethical issues relating to the use of primates and other animals in investigations such as this one. (3)
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (3 marks): Explain the link between dietary antioxidants and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). (3)
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(b) (5 marks): The vitamin C content of the leaves from spinach plants was investigated. Describe how comparative measurements of the vitamin C content of the leaves from two
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(c)(i) (3 marks): The table shows the data required to calculate the missing standard deviation for the spinach grown in soil type 2 in the autumn. (x – x )2 0.031 0.009 0.031 0.
January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q1(c)(iii) (3 marks): It was concluded that the vitamin C content of the leaves is affected by the soil type and season in which the plants are grown. Comment on this conclusion. (3)
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): In one investigation, scientists measured the blood cholesterol level in a group of people and monitored the development of heart disease in the following 10 ye
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (3 marks): Other investigations have shown that the levels of high‑density lipoproteins (HDLs) and low‑density lipoproteins (LDLs) are significant in determining the risk
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how the LDL‑R is involved in endocytosis of LDLs. (3)
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(iii) (3 marks): Mutations in the gene coding for the LDL‑R can result in an increased risk of CVD. Explain why mutations in this gene can increase the risk of CVD. (3)
October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q8(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why eating these rhizomes may help to prevent CVD. (3)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(a) (2 marks): Explain how damage to the endothelial cells results in the formation of thrombin. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(b) (1 mark): Give one risk of treating patients with anticoagulants. (1)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how variegin prevents blood clotting. (2)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(c)(iv) (2 marks): The effect of variegin on the mass of blood clots forming inside a stent was investigated. The masses were compared with another anticoagulant, drug H. The grap
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q6(d) (4 marks): Explain why dietary antioxidants are important. (4)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q6(e)(i) (1 mark): The antioxidant activity of orange juice is 0.80 a.u. per 100 g. Calculate how many times more antioxidant activity there is in 100 g of grasshopper extract. Gi
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q6(e)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the percentage difference between the antioxidant activity in black scorpions and crickets. (1) Answer %
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q6(e)(iii) (3 marks): Comment on the results of this investigation. Use the information in the table and the graph to support your answer. (3)
June 2023, AS Unit 1, Q8(a) (1 mark): How many of the risk factors listed in the table are not influenced by lifestyle? (1) A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Which row in the table describes the cholesterol content and antioxidant content of this diet? (1) Cholesterol content Antioxidant content A high high B high lo
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name two other dietary risk factors that could be changed in this diet. (1) 1 2
January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q5(c) (3 marks): Explain why a diet that is low in saturated fat is likely to reduce the risk of CVD. (3)
January 2023, Unit 4, Q8(b) (4 marks): Another group of scientists showed that an extract from the leaves of the papaya plant helped in recovery from dengue virus infection. They showed that the plat
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): How many of the following statements are correct for thromboplastin? • it is stored in platelets • it is an active enzyme • it is converted into thrombin (1) A
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(b) (3 marks): The graph shows the relationship between the INR level and the risk of stroke and the risk of bleeding within the skull. risk of bleeding Risk within the skull
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(c) (3 marks): Explain how taking this anticoagulant can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). (3)
October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): A group of 1216 were given warfarin; 83.3% of these people had no further health issues. Calculate the number of people given warfarin who had no further health
October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (3 marks): Explain how increasing the quantity of plant foods that contain vitamin C in the diet may protect against heart disease. (3)
October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(i) (5 marks): Describe a method to allow a quantitative comparison of the vitamin C content of two of these foods. (5)
October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q1(c)(ii) (4 marks): Comment on the effects of storage time and temperature on the vitamin C content of these juices. (4)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which molecule traps red blood cells and platelets in the formation of a blood clot at a wound? (1) A cholesterol B collagen C fibrin D fibrinogen
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2(b) (1 mark): How many of the following are converted into an active enzyme during blood clotting? • fibrin • fibrinogen • prothrombin • thrombin (1) A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2(c) (1 mark): How many of the following are soluble in blood plasma? • fibrin • fibrinogen • prothrombin • thrombin (1) A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2(d) (3 marks): Thromboplastin is stored inside platelets. Explain the advantages of storing thromboplastin inside platelets. (3)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the lifestyle changes this woman could make to reduce her 10-year risk of CVD. Use the information in the table to support your answer. (2)
June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which pair of drugs may reduce the 10-year risk of CVD for this woman? (1) A anticoagulants and statins B anticoagulants and antihypertensives C antihypertensiv
June 2022, Unit 5, Q8(f) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term ischemia (paragraph 12). (1)
June 2022, Unit 6, Q2(c) (4 marks): Vitamin C is needed in the production of factors involved in the formation of a blood clot. Describe how a blood clot is formed. (4)
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table identifies one lifestyle factor and one non‑lifestyle factor? (1) Lifestyle factor Non‑lifestyle factor A body mass index (BMI) age B gen
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why a person might have to take several types of drugs to reduce the risk of CVD. (2)
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why antioxidants in the diet reduce the risk of CVD. (3)
January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q7(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why changes in diet, other than antioxidants, can reduce the risk of CVD. (2)
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): Read through the following passage about warfarin. Write on the dotted lines the most appropriate word or words to complete the passage. (3) Warfarin is used to
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which type of drug is warfarin? (1) A an anticoagulant B an antihypertensive C a platelet inhibitor D a statin
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): The time taken for a blood sample to form a blood clot can be measured. This is called the clotting time. The graph shows the blood clotting time after a patien
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (6 marks): The graph shows the effects of HDL levels and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the blood on the risk of men developing heart disease. HDL = 24.4 mmol dm−
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(b)(i) (3 marks): Compare and contrast the structure of HDL with altered HDL. (3)
October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(b)(ii) (3 marks): The antioxidant properties of altered HDL are reduced. Explain the effect that this has on reducing the risk of heart disease. (3)
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(a) (3 marks): The diagram shows how stents are positioned in a diseased coronary artery. plaque stent balloon An uninflated balloon and narrow stent are inserted into the dis
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): In this study, 800 patients had stent A inserted and 400 patients had stent B inserted. Calculate the difference in the number of patients who developed stent t
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): State how the formation of a blood clot in the coronary artery could cause the death of the patient. (1)
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which components of the blood clotting process are enzymes in their active form? (1) A prothrombin and thromboplastin only B prothrombin and thrombin only C pro
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(b)(iv) (1 mark): Which components of the blood clotting process are soluble in blood plasma? (1) A fibrin and fibrinogen B fibrin and thromboplastin C fibrinogen and thromboplas
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q3(b)(v) (1 mark): Stent B contains a drug to prevent stent thrombosis. Suggest one type of drug that could be used in stent B. (1)
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the waist size of female K. (1) Answer cm
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): The formula for calculating BMI is: mass in kg BMI = (height in m)2 Calculate the mass of female K, using the data in the table. (3) Answer kg
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(a)(iii) (2 marks): Comment on the risk of developing CVD in these two women. (2)
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(a)(iv) (2 marks): The diagram shows how the waist and hip measurements should be taken, using a tape measure. measure waist at narrowest point measure hips at widest point Explai
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why the skinfold thickness values are different at each site on the body. Assume that the skin callipers have been used correctly. (2)
June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): The table shows a body fat interpretation chart. The values in the table are the means of the four skinfold thickness measurements. Level of body fat Age Low Mo
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (1 mark): The diagram shows some factors that increase the risk of CVD. Complete the diagram with one lifestyle risk factor and one non-lifestyle risk factor. (1) Lifesty
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (2 marks): The graph shows the effect of exercise on the relative risk of death from CVD. 1.0 light exercise 0.9 moderate exercise Relative risk of death from CVD 0.8 0.7
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (3 marks): Explain how dietary antioxidants reduce the risk of CVD. (3)
January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q7(d) (6 marks): The coronary artery may become completely blocked in people with CVD. The graph shows how the energy released by heart muscle cells changes after the coronary a
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q5(a) (1 mark): Name two obesity indicators used by scientists. (1) 1 2
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q7(a) (3 marks): Describe the role of prothrombin in the blood clotting process. (3)
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q7(b) (1 mark): Which type of treatment is warfarin? (1) A anticoagulant B antihypertensive C platelet inhibitor D statin
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): The diagrams show the structures of warfarin and vitamin K. O OH O O Warfarin O O Vitamin K Using the information in the diagrams, suggest why warfarin inhibits
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q7(c)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why people taking warfarin have to avoid eating foods that contain a high concentration of vitamin K. (2)
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(b) (3 marks): Explain why the properties of LDLs enable cholesterol to be transported in the blood. (3)
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(i) (3 marks): Complete the table by calculating the volume of LDL and the ratio of LDL volume to cholesterol volume. Use the formula v = 4 3 πr3 (3)
October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8(c)(ii) (6 marks): The graph shows the relationship between LDLs, high‑density lipoproteins (HDLs) and the risk of CVD. Level of HDL in blood = 0.65 a.u. Level of HDL in blood = 1
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by this statement. (2)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain what happens to DCPIP in the presence of vitamin C. (2)
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): In an investigation, a student compared the vitamin C concentration of freshly squeezed fruit juice and fruit juice stored in a carton. The table shows the resu
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the concentration of vitamin C in lime juice from a carton as a percentage of fresh lime juice. (2) Answer %
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(iv) (2 marks): The results in the table were plotted as a bar chart. Complete the bar chart by labelling the axes and showing the standard deviation for fresh orange juice and
January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q1(b)(v) (3 marks): Comment on the vitamin C content of fresh juice compared with juice from a carton. (3)
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): One anticoagulant binds to the active site of thrombin. Explain how this drug reduces blood clotting. (2)
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Molecules on the surface of platelets enable them to bind to other molecules. One of the antiplatelet drugs affects molecules on the surface of platelets. Expla
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): One thrombolytic drug converts plasminogen into the active enzyme, plasmin. Plasmin breaks down fibrin. Explain how this drug reduces the formation of blood clo
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q6(a) (3 marks): Explain how dietary antioxidants reduce the risk of CVD. (3)
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(i) (4 marks): Explain whether eating dark chocolate is likely to reduce the risk of CVD more than eating milk chocolate. Use the information in the table to support your answ
June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): The table gives some information about ingredients in three different brands of milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Percentage of ingredient in Percentage of ing
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which of the following is a medication to control blood pressure? (1) A anticoagulant B antihypertensive C platelet inhibitor D statin
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): Explain why the risk calculator takes into account total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. (2)
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q2(c) (3 marks): Explain why the 10 Year CHD Risk would change if this person ticked the box next to the ‘Patient smokes’ on the risk calculator. (3)
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q6(a)(iii) (4 marks): Describe how the movement of phosphatidylserine into the outer layer results in the production of thrombin in the blood clotting process. (4)
January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q6(b) (4 marks): Thrombin inhibitors are drugs that have an effect on the time taken for blood to clot. Explain why thrombin inhibitors affect the time taken for blood to clot.

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