Excretion: Edexcel International GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Biology exam question on Excretion (specification points 2.70–2.79), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 97 questions on Excretion, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which substances are excreted by the lungs? (1) A carbon dioxide and urea B carbon dioxide and water C carbon dioxide, urea, and water D urea and water
June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b) (3 marks): People with a condition called diabetes often have very high blood sugar. Urine from people with diabetes attracts ants but urine from people without diabetes d
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these is structure U? (1) A Bowman’s capsule B collecting duct C loop of Henle D proximal convoluted tubule
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which process occurs between structure S and structure T? (1) A ADH production B selective reabsorption C transpiration D ultrafiltration
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which structure is the collecting duct? (1) A P B Q C S D T
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mass of glucose in 5 dm3 of blood plasma. (2) [1000 cm3 = 1 dm3] mass = grams
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why there is no protein in the urine. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why there is glucose in the glomerular filtrate but no glucose in the urine. (3)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Kidney transplants The main role of the k
November 2024, Paper 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Kidney transplants The main role of the k
November 2024, Paper 2, Q1(e)(i) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Kidney transplants The main role of the k
November 2024, Paper 2, Q1(e)(ii) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Kidney transplants The main role of the k
November 2024, Paper 2, Q1(g) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Kidney transplants The main role of the k
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the results shown in the table for the athlete who consumed no drink. (3)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the differences in urine volume and urine colour produced by the athlete who consumed the isotonic drink and the athlete who consumed pure water. (2)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Which structure is the Bowman’s capsule? (1) A P B R C S D T
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which structure is the loop of Henle? (1) A P B Q C S D U
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which structure is affected by ADH? (1) A P B Q C S D T
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Blood plasma contains much glucose, but urine normally does not. Explain what happens to glucose in the kidney. (3)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(c) (2 marks): As a person sweats, they may become dehydrated. Describe the changes in a person’s urine if they become dehydrated. (2)
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Which structure is the proximal convoluted tubule? (1) A B C D
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): The blood vessel labelled X has a lumen with a radius of 100 μm. Use this formula to calculate the cross‑sectional area, in mm2, of the lumen of this blood vess
June 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The lumen of blood vessel X is wider than the lumen of blood vessel Y. Explain why this difference in the width of the lumen of the two blood vessels is importa
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(b) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(c) (4 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(d)(iii) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023, Paper 2, Q1(e) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Treating Kidney Disease Chronic kidney di
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which structure is labelled P in the diagram? (1) A bladder B nephron C ureter D urethra
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which fluid is carried in tube S? (1) A bile B blood C filtrate D urine
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which tube is labelled Q in the diagram? (1) A renal artery B renal vein C ureter D urethra
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (5 marks): Discuss which processes in the kidney may be affected to produce the results shown. Include in your answer where in the nephron the processes occur. (5)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(a) (2 marks): Name the structures labelled A and B. (2) A . B
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain the difference between the concentration of protein in area X and the concentration of protein in area Y. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the difference between the concentration of glucose in area Y and the concentration of glucose in area Z. (2)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(c) (4 marks): When the body becomes dehydrated, the concentration of urine increases. Explain the changes that occur in the body that lead to the production of concentrated u
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(b) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(c) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(e) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(f)(i) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(f)(ii) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(g) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Human kidney disease Human kidney disease
January 2022, Paper 2, Q5(a) (3 marks): Explain the difference in concentration of glucose between X and Y. (3)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate how many times more concentrated the urea is in area Z compared to area Y. Give your answer to two significant figures. (2) answer =
January 2022, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the difference in urea concentration in the filtrate found in Y and Z. (2)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Protein is not normally found in urine. Suggest why high blood pressure could cause protein to be present in urine. (2)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): From which structure does ultrafiltration take place? (1) A P B Q C R D S
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): From which structure is glucose reabsorbed? (1) A Q B R C S D U
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which structure is the loop of Henle? (1) A P B R C S D U
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by plasma components. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the mean mass of urea excreted per day. (2) mean mass of urea = g
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why glucose is reabsorbed in the nephron. (2)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b)(iv) (5 marks): The concentration of urine is determined by the volume of water present and the mass of dissolved substances. A person eats a meal with a high protein and salt
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Which part is the Bowman’s capsule? (1) A B C D
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the change in the mass of glucose from part A to part D. (3)
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage reabsorption of water by kidney nephrons. (2) percentage = %
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): A substance containing nitrogen is broken down in the liver to produce urea. Which substance is broken down to produce urea? (1) A fat B glucose C protein D wat
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c) (4 marks): A drug called MDMA increases the secretion of ADH. Explain how this increase affects urine production. (4)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): From which structure are substances forced out of the blood by ultrafiltration? (1) A B C D
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): From which structure is glucose reabsorbed into the blood by selective reabsorption? (1) A B C D
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name for the control of blood concentration. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Another function carried out by the kidney is excretion. State what is meant by the term excretion. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(c) (4 marks): Diabetes insipidus is a medical condition in which the body is unable to produce ADH. Explain how diabetes insipidus affects the control of blood concentration.
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): Suggest what effect the drug would have on the nephron. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q6(d)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the effects the drug would have on urine production. (2)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Which part of the urinary system contains nephrons? (1) A B C D
January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): The urinary system produces urine. Name a substance found in urine. (1)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (5 marks): Explain the scientist’s results. (5)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Give two other factors that affect the volume of urine produced. (2) 1 2
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): Concentration of urine is calculated using this formula. concentration in milliosmoles per dm3 = amount of waste in milliosmoles volume in dm3 The amount of was
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b) (1 mark): Name another organ that carries out excretion in the human body. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 2, Q7(c) (5 marks): Explain the role of the nephron in osmoregulation. (5)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Schistosomiasis Schistosomiasis is an inf
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of part P? (1) A collecting duct B glomerulus C proximal convoluted tubule D renal artery
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Where does ultrafiltration occur? (1) A P B Q C R D T
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Where is permeability affected by ADH? (1) A P B Q C R D S
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(a)(iv) (1 mark): Where is glucose selectively reabsorbed into the blood? (1) A Q B R C S D T
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown by the scatter diagram. (2)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (4 marks): Babies born with low birth mass are more likely to develop high blood pressure when they become adults. Explain why protein in the urine of these adults may be
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q1(c) (1 mark): Which row of the table correctly shows whether the kidneys and skin are involved in excretion? (1) kidneys skin A no no B no yes C yes no D yes yes
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (1 mark): Which structure is used to store urine? (1) A organ P B organ Q C organ R D organ S
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Identify two substances that would be carried in structure R. (2) 1 2
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(d) (4 marks): The volume and concentration of urine produced varies depending on the water content of the body. Explain how very warm weather results in a change in the conce
June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Where does ultrafiltration take place? (1) A B C D
June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Where does reabsorption of glucose take place? (1) A B C D
June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which part responds to a change in ADH? (1) A B C D
June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): In kangaroo rats, the tissue surrounding the collecting duct contains a high concentration of ions. Explain how this feature enables kangaroo rats to survive in
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): Where is this part of a kidney nephron located? (1) A in the cortex B in the collecting duct C in the loop of Henle D in the medulla
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b) (1 mark): The graph shows the effect of age on the number of glomeruli in the kidneys. 2.5 2.0 1.5 Number of glomeruli ×106 1.0 0.5 0.0 0 20 40 60 80 Age in years Using t
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(c) (4 marks): The table lists three molecules. It also gives their concentrations in the glomerulus, the Bowman’s capsule and the bladder. Concentration in Concentration in C
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): The mass of theobromine per kg that is poisonous differs between species. Compare the poisonous effect in cats and rats. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): A small bar of chocolate contains 200 mg of theobromine. Explain why eating chocolate bars is unlikely to poison a man of mass 70 kg. Include a calculation in y
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b) (4 marks): Theobromine prevents the release of ADH. Explain why preventing the release of ADH can be harmful to humans. (4)

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