Gas exchange: Edexcel International GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Biology exam question on Gas exchange (specification points 2.40–2.50), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 94 questions on Gas exchange, as a list

June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (3 marks): The graph shows how the volume of air in the lungs changes over time. Y Volume of air in lungs X Time Explain the change in volume of air in the lungs from poin
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these is the structure labelled X? (1) A alveolus B bronchiole C bronchus D trachea
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain how contraction of the diaphragm causes air to move into the lungs. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of oxygen used in 30 minutes by a non‑smoker with a mass of 70 kg. (2) volume = cm3
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the effect of cigarette smoking on the rate at which oxygen is used. (3)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q2 (6 marks): Complete the passage about the lungs by writing a suitable word in each blank space. (6) The organs of gas exchange in humans are the lungs. A single tube calle
November 2024, Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the breathing rate from the start of exercise to the breathing rate at 10 minutes. (2) percentage change = %
November 2024, Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (5 marks): Plot a line graph to show how breathing rate changes during exercise. Join your points with straight lines. (5)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain the change in breathing rate during the 12 minutes of exercise. (3)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q5(c) (2 marks): The difficulty with measuring breathing rate during exercise is that wearing a mask may affect breathing rate and performance. A different method of recording b
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the structure that the rubber sheet represents in a human. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which row in the table gives the changes in volume and pressure inside the glass jar when demonstrating inhalation? (1) Volume Pressure A decreases decreases B
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Give two reasons why the apparatus does not give an accurate representation of human ventilation. (2) 1 2
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of these is the order of the structures that air passes through, from the mouth to the alveolus, during inhalation? (1) A bronchiole ➔ bronchus ➔ trachea
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The total surface area of the alveoli in lungs is very large. A typical human lung has 480 000 000 alveoli. Each alveolus has a surface area of 0.0040 mm2. Calc
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Explain two ways that a single alveolus is adapted to maximise gas exchange. (4) 1 2
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(iv) (3 marks): Describe a simple laboratory experiment to investigate the effect of exercise on the rate of carbon dioxide release from a human. (3)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State the dependent variable in this investigation. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the function of the wire mesh in the test tubes. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): State one variable that the teacher has controlled in their investigation. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b) (4 marks): The table shows the results of this investigation. Tube Contents of test Light condition Colour of indicator tube after two hours A leaves light dark red B leav
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q4(c) (2 marks): The teacher sets up another test tube that contains leaves and maggots. They put the test tube in the light for two hours. The colour of the indicator after two
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): They use solution X to compare the concentration of carbon dioxide in inhaled and exhaled air. Give the name of solution X. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the changes that will take place in solution X in test tube A and in test tube B. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Other than concentration of carbon dioxide, state one other difference between exhaled air and inhaled air. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the independent variable in this investigation. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (5 marks): Plot a line graph to show the effect of duration of exercise on breathing rate. Join the points with straight lines. (5)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the effect of duration of exercise on breathing rate. (2)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(iv) (1 mark): Give one way the student could improve the reliability of their investigation. (1)
November 2023, Paper 2, Q1(f) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Plants to the rescue Since the early 20th
November 2023, 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. Plants to the rescue Since the early 20th
June 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of the cell labelled P? (1) A cuticle B guard C palisade D stoma
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (2 marks): Using information from Graph 1, calculate the percentage increase in the number of hospital admissions caused by smoking in 2019 compared with 2009. (2) percent
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(b) (4 marks): Graph 2 shows the percentage of all hospital admissions that were due to conditions caused by smoking each year from 2009 to 2019. 4.8 4.6 Percentage of hospita
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(c) (5 marks): Smoking causes harmful effects on the lungs. Describe the consequences of smoking cigarettes for the functioning of the lungs. (5)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of the structure labelled X? (1) A alveolus B bronchiole C bronchus D trachea
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which of these describes what happens when a person breathes in? (1) A diaphragm contracts and moves downwards B diaphragm contracts and moves upwards C diaphra
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain the differences between the percentages of gases in inhaled air and in exhaled air. (3)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Air in the alveoli has a composition of 14% oxygen and 7% carbon dioxide. Suggest why the composition of air in the alveoli is different from exhaled air. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Antitranspirants Antitranspirants are sub
January 2023 (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. Antitranspirants Antitranspirants are sub
January 2023 (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. Antitranspirants Antitranspirants are sub
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term median. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the median is used rather than the mean. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the relationship between vital capacity and age shown by the graph. (2)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iv) (2 marks): Explain why vital capacity changes with age. (2)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(v) (2 marks): Age is not the only variable that can change vital capacity. Give two other variables that can affect a person’s vital capacity. (2) 1 2
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b) (3 marks): Describe a method you could use to demonstrate the effect of exercise on breathing rate in students. (3)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of structure R? (1) A bronchiole B bronchus C oesophagus D trachea
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how changes in structure S enable a person to breathe in. (3)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): State the independent variable in the investigation. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): At a cycling speed of 35 km per hour the person has a breathing rate of 25 breaths per minute. They also have a ventilation rate of 65 dm3 per minute. Calculate
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(iii) (4 marks): Comment on the effect of increasing cycling speed on ventilation rate. Refer to the data in the table in your answer. (4)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(iv) (1 mark): State how the scientist could make the investigation more reliable. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain which flask exhaled air passes through. (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the changes that will happen in the limewater in flask A and in flask B. (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): The student uses limewater to compare the composition of exhaled and inhaled air. Suggest an alternative substance that they could use. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q1(b) (4 marks): Describe the role of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles in inhalation. (4)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (3 marks): To calculate the mean density of stomata, leaf sections are viewed with a microscope. The number of stomata within six circular areas of the leaf are counted. T
January 2022, Paper 2, Q3(b)(iv) (4 marks): The investigation shows that in increased carbon dioxide concentrations there is a lower mean density of stomata. The scientist concludes that in hot dry areas,
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Which of these are structures Q and R? (1) Q R A bronchiole trachea B bronchus trachea C trachea bronchiole D trachea bronchus
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how structure S helps a person to exhale. (3)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b) (3 marks): The graph shows how the volume of air exhaled varies with time during one breath. This is shown for a person with a lung disease and a person with healthy lungs
November 2021, Paper 2, Q1(d) (3 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Heart transplant A heart transplant is an
November 2021, Paper 2, Q1(f) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. Heart transplant A heart transplant is an
June 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (5 marks): Plot a bar chart to show the number of deaths from lung cancer and from other cancers for each of the four groups. (5)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the difference in the percentage of all deaths caused by lung cancer in heavy smokers compared to the percentage of all deaths caused by lung cancer i
June 2021, Paper 1, Q9(b) (2 marks): This table gives no information about the age of the people who died. Suggest why age may affect the likelihood of dying from lung cancer. (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q9(c) (2 marks): Explain one effect, other than lung cancer, that smoking has on health. (2)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q4(c) (2 marks): Explain how layer D is able to regulate gas exchange. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): The part labelled X is the (1) A bronchiole B bronchus C oesophagus D trachea
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which row of the table describes what happens when the horse breathes in? (1) External intercostal Diaphragm muscles A contract contract B contract relax C rela
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a) (6 marks): Plot a line graph to show how the percentage of students who used e‑cigarettes and the percentage of students who smoked normal cigarettes changed between 2011
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (2 marks): Describe the changes in the percentages of students smoking cigarettes and using e‑cigarettes between 2011 and 2016. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c) (2 marks): The scientists interviewed 60 000 students each year during the period of the investigation. Calculate the change in the number of students who were smoking nor
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(d)(i) (4 marks): Suggest why using e‑cigarettes may be thought to be less harmful than smoking normal cigarettes. (4)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(d)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why many doctors are concerned about promoting the use of e‑cigarettes to young people. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q7(a) (5 marks): Complete the passage by writing a suitable word or words in each blank space. (5) Plants carry out photosynthesis to produce . To enable this process to occur t
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q7(b) (3 marks): Describe how you could use hydrogen-carbonate indicator to investigate the effect of light intensity on net gas exchange in a leaf. (3)
January 2020, 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. Badgers and bovine tuberculosis The bacte
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(a) (1 mark): Name the organ that contains alveoli. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b) (1 mark): There are 5 000 000 red blood cells per mm3 of blood in the capillary. Give the number of red blood cells per mm3 in standard form. (1) number =
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q3(c) (3 marks): Explain why gas exchange is possible at the alveolus. (3)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (6 marks): Plot a line graph of the results for person P and person Q. Use a ruler to join your points with straight lines. (6)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the change in breathing rate during exercise. (3)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): The time taken to recover from exercise is often a good measure of fitness. The scientist concluded that person P is much fitter than person Q. Comment on the v
June 2019, Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): Evaluate the student’s model as a representation of the lungs. (2)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q6(c) (3 marks): The results show that many alveoli increase the surface area, which will increase the rate of diffusion. Explain three other ways that alveoli are adapted to ma
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): State how the teacher could demonstrate breathing in using this model. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why the balloons inflate during this demonstration. (3)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): Evaluate whether the bell jar model can completely demonstrate the process of ventilation. (4)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c)(i) (2 marks): Suggest how bronchodilators help these people to breathe. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why these people can become more breathless during exercise. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q1(f) (2 marks): Read the passage below. Use the information in the passage and your own knowledge to answer the questions that follow. The FACE Programme towers that contain pi

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