Adaptations for transport: Eduqas A‑Level Biology questions

Every Eduqas A-Level Biology exam question on 3.2 Adaptations for transport, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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Q2(d)
June 2025 · Component 1
4 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
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Q2(a)(i)
June 2025 · Component 3
1 mark3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q2(b)(i)
June 2025 · Component 3
3 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q2(b)(ii)
June 2025 · Component 3
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q2(b)(iii)
June 2025 · Component 3
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q3(b)(ii)
June 2025 · Component 3
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q3(c)
June 2025 · Component 3
4 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q3(d)(i)
June 2025 · Component 3
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
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Q3(d)(ii)
June 2025 · Component 3
4 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q6
June 2025 · Component 3
9 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
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Q2(a)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
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Q2(b)(i)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
3 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q2(b)(ii)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
3 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q2(c)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
4 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(a)(i)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(a)(ii)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(b)(i)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
3 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(b)(ii)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(b)(iii)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
3 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗
Q4(c)
June 2025 · AS Component 2
2 marks3.2 Adaptations for transport
The whole paper ↗

All 244 questions on Adaptations for transport, as a list

June 2025, Component 1, Q2(d) (4 marks): Dextran solutions are used to treat cases of very low blood pressure caused by excessive blood loss. When dextran solutions are injected into the blood, they si
June 2025, Component 3, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Human erythrocytes are biconcave in shape. Explain how this increases the efficiency of gas exchange by these cells. [1] Two diameters of cells A, B and C have
June 2025, Component 3, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Use data from Graph 2.3 to explain the advantage to a foetus of having HbF rather than HbA. [3]
June 2025, Component 3, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use Graph 2.3 to explain how the positions of the curves for HbA and HbS affect oxygen saturation. [2]
June 2025, Component 3, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Use all the information provided to explain the effect of HbS on a person with sickle cell anaemia. [2]
June 2025, Component 3, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): A third mechanism involves sucrose being hydrolysed into its monosaccharides and used to synthesise raffinose in the companion cell. Suggest how this increases
June 2025, Component 3, Q3(c) (4 marks): The mass flow hypothesis of movement of sugars in the phloem suggests there is a pressure gradient from source to sink. Explain how high pressure is generated i
June 2025, Component 3, Q3(d)(i) (2 marks): Suggest and explain the purpose of plant A. [2]
June 2025, Component 3, Q3(d)(ii) (4 marks): Use the information from Image 3.2 and Table 3.3 to make two conclusions about the transport of sucrose in plants. Justify each conclusion. [4] Conclusion 1 Con
June 2025, Component 3, Q6 (9 marks): Mollusca is a phylum of invertebrate animals that have evolved different types of vascular systems. Images 6.1 and 6.2 show the generalised circulatory systems
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(a) (2 marks): Use Table 2.1 to conclude the effect of root hair length on the efficiency of water absorption into roots. Explain your answer. [2] Question continued overlea
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Draw arrows on Image 2.2 to show the three pathways by which water moves across the root cortex. Label your arrows with the names of the pathways. [3] Image 2
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the Casparian strip directs water towards the xylem of the root. [3]
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q2(c) (4 marks): Root hairs also take up ions from the soil into the plant. Experiments were performed on Arabidopsis thaliana to assess the uptake of phosphate ions into its ro
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Give two reasons for the high hydrostatic pressure at A. [2]
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Give two reasons for the fall in hydrostatic pressure between positions A and B. [2]
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(i) (3 marks): The resultant force on the fluid in the capillary is the combination of the hydrostatic and solute potential of the blood. At Position A in Image 4.1, the resul
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Identify the structure labelled X in Image 4.1 and describe its role. [2]
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(iii) (3 marks): Image 4.3 shows part of a patient’s leg, with a clinical condition called oedema. Their plasma has a very low concentration of solutes. Its solute potential is
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q4(c) (2 marks): Tissue fluid is formed from the blood. Complete Table 4.4 by explaining one reason for each difference in the properties of blood and tissue fluid. [2] Table
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): State the evidence from Image 5.1 that this section shows a stem. [1] Image 5.2 shows a part of Image 5.1. Image 5.2
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): On Image 5.2, draw a line labelled X to identify a xylem vessel. [1]
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Describe one structural characteristic that allowed you to identify a xylem vessel in Image 5.2 [1] Question continued overleaf
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(b) (4 marks): Xylem contains many types of cell, including tracheids and vessels. These are described in Table 5.3 The arrows show the direction of water movement. Table 5.3
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why readings were only made when there was no wind. [2] Graph 5.5 shows the flow rate in the xylem of beech trees. Graph 5.5 25 20 15 10 5 0 00:00 06:
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): Use readings from Graph 5.5 to calculate the rate of increase in flow rate in xylem between 06:00 hours and 12:00 hours. State the unit for your answer. [3] I
June 2025, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(iii) (1 mark): Explain one reason why the rate of transpiration increases between 06:00 and 12:00 hours. [1]
June 2024, Component 1, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): The Hass avocado is highly susceptible to a soil-borne pathogen, Phytophthora cinnamomi, which causes a disease called root rot. Infected plants wilt easily due
June 2024, Component 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Identify the type of blood vessels labelled A and B. [1] A B
June 2024, Component 3, Q1(c) (1 mark): The vascular bundles in a leaf form a highly branched network. Two functions of the vascular bundles are transport of: • water and mineral ions in the xylem • s
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Use the information in Image 3.1 to name the three pathways A, B and C by which water moves from the soil to the endodermis. [2] A B C
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(a)(ii) (3 marks): Complete the table below to describe three differences between pathways A and B in Image 3.1. [3] Pathway A Pathway B
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): State the function of the Casparian strip. [2]
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(b)(i) (5 marks): The diameter of a tree trunk was measured over a 24-hour period. Use the information above to predict and explain what would happen to the trunk diameter betwee
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): To increase confidence in results, the diameter of ten different tree trunks in one area of woodland was measured over the same time period. Suggest three other
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(c)(i) (3 marks): Use the information given in Table 3.4 to calculate the volume of water lost through transpiration by 1 m2 of maize per day during the growing season. [3] Volum
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown in Graph 3.5 between transpiration rate and availability of water in the soil. [2]
June 2024, Component 3, Q3(c)(iii) (2 marks): Draw one conclusion about the confidence in the data shown in Graph 3.5 at lower water availability. Explain your answer. [2]
June 2024, AS Component 1, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Transport of water in plants relies on some of the properties of water and the bonds between the water molecules. State two properties of water which allow the
June 2024, AS Component 1, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Water moving into the plants at the roots exerts root pressure. Explain how root pressure contributes to the movement of water through the plant. [2]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify enzyme X and product Y in Image 3.1. [1] Enzyme X: Product Y:
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use Image 3.1 to describe how haemoglobin prevents blood pH from becoming too low. [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the function of chloride ions (Cl–), shown in Image 3.1 [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(iv) (1 mark): State one way that carbon dioxide can be transported in the blood other than that described in Image 3.1 [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): State one advantage and one disadvantage of an open circulatory system. [2] Advantage: Disadvantage: In mammals, blood is transported in a closed, double circul
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Describe what is meant by a ‘double circulatory system’. [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Use one of the letters A to D on Graph 5.1 to identify when blood begins to leave the ventricle. Describe one piece of evidence from Graph 5.1 that supports you
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain the increase in pressure within the left atrium between points X and Y. [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Data from group 1 showed a large standard deviation (SD). Describe what is meant by the term ‘standard deviation’ and explain how the criteria used to place ind
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): State one feature of the method that increases reliability of the data. [1] In addition to the mean maximum heart rate, the following measurements were taken: •
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): Calculate the mean stroke volume for group 1 Write your answer in Table 5.3. [2] Space for working
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(iv) (2 marks): Using your answer to (c)(iii) and the information in Table 5.3, explain how the heart achieves a higher cardiac output in individuals in group 1 (more active) t
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(v) (1 mark): Explain how one property of a tissue in the wall of arteries prevents an excessive fall in blood pressure during diastole. [1]
June 2024, AS Component 2, Q6 (9 marks): Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) produce large flowers on long stems. Image 6.1 shows a transverse section of a sunflower stem. Image 6.2 shows a transverse secti
June 2023, Component 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): During development, the ovule is supplied with sugar by phloem sieve tubes. State how many chromosomes there would be in a phloem sieve tube element and explain
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(a)(i) (3 marks): During foetal development there is a hole between the right and left sides of the heart as shown by X in Image 3.1. Suggest why this hole is open during foetal
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Shortly after birth, this hole closes. If this hole does not close after birth the individual would have symptoms of fatigue. Suggest why these symptoms occur.
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the names of vessels A and B shown in Image 3.1 which are connected by the ductus arteriosus. [1] A B
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): In some humans the ductus arteriosus is not closed after birth. Explain why this condition can result in the production of excess fluid in the lung tissue. [2]
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(e)(i) (2 marks): Explain the position of the oxygen dissociation curve of foetal haemoglobin relative to that of adult haemoglobin. [2] The Tibetan wild yak shown in Image 3.5 l
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(e)(ii) (2 marks): Use Graph 3.4 to explain how Tibetan wild yak haemoglobin is an adaptation for living at high altitude. [2]
June 2023, Component 3, Q3(e)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest one disadvantage of the position of the Tibetan wild yak dissociation curve. [1]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): On Graph 2.2, I. plot the position of the p50 for the wahoo [1] II. draw a sketch line to show the expected oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve for the wahoo. [1]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Using Graph 2.2, determine the difference between the percentage saturation of haemoglobin of a mackerel and a wahoo at a pO2 of 3.5 kPa. [1] Percentage diffe
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how the fast swimming speed of the wahoo affects the release of oxygen from its haemoglobin. [2]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest which component of blood transports most oxygen in an icefish. [1]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(c)(i) (2 marks): It was concluded that icefish can adapt to increasing temperatures by increasing their heart rate. With reference to Graph 2.4 evaluate this conclusion. [2]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Each heartbeat is initiated within the cardiac muscle itself. Name the property of cardiac muscle that enables this to occur. [1]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q2(c)(iii) (1 mark): Higher sea temperatures increase body temperature and therefore metabolic rate and oxygen consumption in fish. Use the information given to suggest one reason w
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name two regions of a tomato plant that are considered ‘sinks’ for sucrose. [1]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): The rate of flow of solutes in the phloem sieve tubes of tomato plants may be up to ten times faster than the flow of solutes through other cells. Using Images
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Sucrose is loaded into the phloem in the leaves where it is formed. Explain why loading sucrose at the source results in increased hydrostatic pressure in the s
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(iv) (3 marks): The rate of uptake and translocation of sucrose in phloem was found to be inhibited by: • low temperature • phosphate deficiency • cyanide. Explain why each of
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(i) (3 marks): An experiment to investigate the rate of transport of organic molecules in the phloem of tomato plants used aphids to sample phloem contents. Aphids are insects
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of using several aphids at each position. [2]
June 2023, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): For ethical reasons, the use of micro-injection needles inserted into the phloem was suggested as an alternative to using aphids for sampling the phloem. Sugges
June 2022, Component 1, Q5(a)(ii) (3 marks): Studies have shown that the parasite sucker penetrates the host phloem sieve tubes and host xylem vessels. I. State the name of the hypothesis that provides an
June 2022, Component 2, Q4(a)(ii) (3 marks): Cadmium ions are only able to pass into the xylem due to the presence of specialised protein molecules in the cell membranes of one tissue layer in the roots. N
June 2022, Component 3, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): Insects have an open circulatory system. Explain what is meant by the term open circulatory system. [1]
June 2022, Component 3, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how high blood pressure can also lead to the swelling of some tissues of the body (oedema). [3]
June 2022, Component 3, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Tillandsia punctulata absorbs water collected in the trichome plates rather than through its roots. Other species of bromeliad, which live on the ground, take i
June 2022, Component 3, Q5(d)(i) (3 marks): Using these figures and assuming the area and density of planting remain the same, calculate the difference between the volume of water lost by the entire pinea
June 2022, Component 3, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): A group of ecologists have predicted that the change in water loss by the pineapple crops may lead to more flooding in Costa Rica. Suggest why. [1]
June 2022, Component 3, Q6 (9 marks): Image 6.1 is a photomicrograph of human tissue. Two different types of blood vessel, labelled X and Y, are shown. Sometimes high blood pressure can lead to an a
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): The potometer was used to investigate the effect of changing light intensity on the uptake of water by the roots. State the following for this investigation: [2
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest and explain why oil was added to the surface of the water in the reservoir before the investigation started. [2]
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(iii) (3 marks): Other factors apart from light intensity can also affect the uptake of water by a plant. Complete the table below to identify two other factors which could affe
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the mean distance the water had moved for a distance of 20 cm. Express your answer to 3 significant figures. Write your answer in Table 5.2. [2]
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Calculate the volume of water taken up by the roots per minute when the lamp was 30 cm from the plant, using the formula π r 2 h. [3] The diameter of the water
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest how the method could be modified to investigate the effect of wind speed on water uptake by the roots. [2]
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(iv) (1 mark): A potometer is normally used to give an indication of transpiration rate. However, the rate of water uptake by the roots is not equal to the rate of water vapou
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(v) (3 marks): Most potometers are used with a cut shoot rather than a whole plant. Describe one precaution that should be taken when preparing the cut shoot, in order to not
June 2022, AS Component 2, Q6 (9 marks): The electrical activity of the heart can be measured and analysed using an electrocardiogram (ECG). Image 6.1 shows an ECG trace from a healthy individual. Imag
Autumn 2021, Component 2, Q7(a)(iii) (3 marks): Species A has haemoglobin with a slightly higher oxygen affinity than species B. Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of this to species A. [3]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(a) (3 marks): Explain how one feature shown in image 2.1 enables water molecules to travel up the xylem. [3]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why all the cuttings in this investigation were taken from a single plant. [2]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Name the apparatus used to determine the transpiration rate. [1]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): State two conditions that should have been kept constant when measuring the transpiration rates of the plants. [2]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(iv) (1 mark): Explain how the plant treated with 0 µmol dm–3 of cadmium chloride acted as a control. [1] The results are summarised in table 2.2. Table 2.2 Concentration of M
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q2(b)(v) (2 marks): Calculate the rate of transpiration at 30 µmol dm–3 of cadmium chloride as a percentage of the control. Write your answer in the table. [2] Space for working
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q3(d)(i) (1 mark): Red blood cells are all the same size and shape. Explain why the red blood cells in this cross section appear to be different sizes and shapes. [1]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q3(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain one advantage of capillaries being narrow. [2]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q3(e)(i) (3 marks): I. Calculate the total blood volume in cm3 of an adult human who has a mass of 70.8 kg. [1] Blood volume = cm3 II. Calculate the total red blood cell volume i
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q3(e)(ii) (1 mark): The mass of red blood cells in a pregnant woman shows an increase of 25 %. Explain the advantage of this increase. [1]
Autumn 2021, Component 3, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): The hydrogen ions also enter the bloodstream of the host. This causes more oxygen to be released by the haemoglobin in the red blood cells of the host. Explain
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State one feature of the capillary wall which allows tissue fluid to be formed. [1] Image 3.2 shows the changes in pressure within the capillary bed as blood mo
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (7 marks): Using image 3.2 and your own knowledge: I. Describe and explain the change in capillary hydrostatic pressure between the arteriole end and the venule end. [4] I
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(iii) (3 marks): The values of osmotic pressure (OP) and hydrostatic pressure (HP) make it possible for the Net filtration pressure (NFP) to be calculated. This is shown in imag
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q3(b) (1 mark): Lymphatic filariasis is a medical condition caused by parasitic worms which block the lymphatic vessels. This can result in swelling of the legs as shown in ima
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain the advantage of the position of the curve for Bar-headed goose haemoglobin compared to the curve for the domestic duck haemoglobin. [3]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest the benefit of this to the Bar-headed goose when flying at high altitudes. [2]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(iii) (3 marks): The mean total blood volume for an adult Bar-headed goose is 5 × 105 mm3. The mean total number of red blood cells in an adult Bar-headed goose is 1.46 × 1012.
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(iv) (2 marks): The red blood cell density of domestic duck blood is 1.4 × 106. Compare the red blood cell density of the domestic duck and the Bar-headed goose. Suggest a reas
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the effect of changing the pH from 7.5 to 7.3 on the percentage saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen. [2]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): State the name of the effect of pH on haemoglobin saturation. Using your own knowledge, suggest how the change in pH of the goose’s blood has caused this effect
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete table 5.2 by identifying the type of tissue shown in each image and name a structure visible in each image to justify your answer. [2] Table 5.2 Image
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (4 marks): Mineral ions in the soil are absorbed by root hair cells and transported to the vascular tissue of the root. Explain the movement of mineral ions from the soil
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the process by which carbohydrates are transported through a plant. [1]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): 14C-AsA was found in the root tips and shoot tips of the plant, but not in mature leaf Y. Explain these results. [3] Table 5.5 shows the levels of 14C-AsA at di
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Describe the change in 14C-AsA concentrations between 6 and 12 hours at the root tip. Suggest a reason for the concentrations of 14C-AsA at 12 hours. [2]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(iv) (1 mark): State two factors that would need to be controlled to ensure confidence in the results. [1]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(c) (1 mark): The experiment was only carried out once for 12 hours. State how this would affect the reliability of the data. Explain your answer. [1]
Autumn 2021, AS Component 2, Q5(d) (2 marks): Suggest how the experiment could be modified to investigate the rate of transport of AsA through the plant. [2]
Autumn 2020, Component 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the vascular tissues you would expect to find in ferns. [1]
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q1(a) (3 marks): Explain the advantage to the penguin of having the haemoglobin dissociation curve as shown on graph 1.1. [3]
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two differences between a red blood cell of a human and a red blood cell of a penguin, as seen in image 1.2. [2]
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Removing the body of the aphid results in the death of the aphid. Describe what could be done to ensure that the removal of the body of the aphid does not resul
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the rate of movement of radioactive sucrose from the start colony to colony 2 in mm s–1. [2] Rate = mm s–1 The scientist who carried out this experime
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage error of the equipment over the distance from the start colony to colony 2. [2] Percentage error =
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q5(c)(i) (3 marks): It was observed that the rate of movement varied throughout the day. The rate was greatest at midday. Explain this observation. [3] The destination of transloca
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q5(d) (4 marks): Image 5.4 shows part of the phloem from a tomato plant. Image 5.4 Sieve tube Companion element cell Explain how one feature of each cell shown in image 5.4 enab
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q6(a) (1 mark): Give the letter which indicates the position of the structure that initiates the electrical impulse through the heart. Name this structure. [1] Letter Name of s
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the difference between the normal heart rate of this patient and the heart rate when he is taking sotalol. [2] Difference = beats per minute. Torsades
Autumn 2020, Component 3, Q6(b)(ii) (4 marks): Comment on the validity of this study. [4]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(i) (4 marks): Explain how the cohesion-tension theory accounts for most of the water movement through the xylem of a plant. [4]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how water moves by osmosis into the xylem of the root. [2]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Using the fast air speed, the air bubble in the capillary tubing moved 47 mm in 12 minutes. The capillary tubing diameter was 1 mm. Calculate the volume of wate
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why it would be incorrect to conclude that all the water taken up was lost in transpiration from the shoot. [1]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(iii) (3 marks): Explain how and why the results obtained would differ if a xerophytic plant was used in the same experiment. [3]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q2(c) (3 marks): Table 2.2 shows the results of the experiment for three air speeds generated by the hairdryer. Table 2.2 Distance moved by the bubble in Air speed setting 12 mi
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i) (4 marks): Using graph 3.1, determine which letter(s) fits the statements in table 3.2. The letters can be used, once, more than once or not at all. [4] Table 3.2 Statemen
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): A patient has a heart rate (HR) of 80 beats per minute. Using the information from graph 3.1 and the following formula, calculate their cardiac output in cm3 mi
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the structures which ensure that the atrio-ventricular valves only open in one direction. [1]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why blood only flows into the aorta and nowhere else when the left ventricle contracts. [3]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(c)(i) (4 marks): Using image 3.3 and your own knowledge of the cardiac cycle, explain how the defect shown could result in tiredness and a lack of energy. [4]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the atrial septal defect could reduce the stroke volume of the child. [1]
Autumn 2020, AS Component 2, Q5 (9 marks): Circulatory systems in animals have evolved in different ways. Image 5.1 shows organisms which have different arrangements of their circulatory systems. Image 5
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(a) (4 marks): Name structures A and B in Figure 5.1 and give details of the features that allowed you to identify each one. [4] Structure Name Features A B Figure 5.2 shows t
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(c) (2 marks): Using Figure 5.2 compare the arrangement of blood vessels in the fetal circulation within the placenta with the arrangement of blood vessels in the maternal cir
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(d)(i) (2 marks): The NDF for the right-hand end of the capillary has been calculated using this formula. Use the formula to calculate the missing NDF and enter your value on Fig
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): By convention, outward force is defined as positive, and inward force is defined as negative. Use the given value of NDF and the result of your calculation, to
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(d)(iii) (2 marks): Use all the information provided and calculated to identify I. the arterial and venous ends of the capillary. Write your answers on the dotted lines above Figur
June 2019, Component 2, Q5(e) (1 mark): Predict what might happen to a patient’s leg if lymph vessels were damaged during a hip replacement operation. [1] Following birth, babies must adapt to exchang
June 2019, Component 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Water and minerals can follow several paths from the soil to the xylem. These are the apoplast, symplast and vacuolar pathways. Both the symplast and vacuolar r
June 2019, Component 3, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Describe how the arrangement of the vascular tissues in a stem of a buttercup is different from their arrangement in the root. [1]
June 2019, Component 3, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Xylem vessels and phloem sieve tubes are strengthened by different chemicals found in their cell walls. Name these chemicals. [1] xylem phloem
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): The diameter of the capillary tube was measured as 1 mm. State three other measurements they would need to take in order to calculate the rate of water uptake i
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Describe the purpose of the water reservoir in this apparatus. [1]
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the value of y when x = 10, m = 0.11 and c = 0.6. [1] y = g cm–2 s–1 × 10–7
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Using the values provided and your calculated value of y draw the line of best fit for these data. [2]
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why there was still water loss when the stomatal diameter was zero. [1]
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Predict what would happen to the rate of water loss from a plant when exposed to a high air speed. [1]
June 2019, Component 3, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain the advantage to the plant of closing stomata at high wind speeds. [1]
June 2019, Component 3, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): To increase the efficiency of glucose transport to their tissues, earthworms have evolved a closed circulatory system. Explain why this is more efficient than t
June 2019, Component 3, Q6(d) (2 marks): Lugworms are related to earthworms but live in muddy sand on the seashore where oxygen levels are very low. Like earthworms, they use haemoglobin to transport o
June 2019, Component 3, Q6(e) (4 marks): When the tide is out water temperature increases, oxygen concentration decreases and water evaporates from the muddy sand in which lugworms live. Experiments in
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Calculate the mean pressure in the lung capillary. [1] Mean pressure = kPa
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): The mean pressure in the muscle capillary is 1.80 kPa. Explain the cause of the difference between this and the mean pressure in the lung capillary. [1]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest and explain one advantage for the lower mean pressure in the lung capillary. [2]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw an arrow on the diagram to indicate the direction of blood flow. [1]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Account for the difference between the maximum and minimum pressures in the muscle capillary. [3]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Name the structures labelled X in the diagram which are attached to the bicuspid valve. [1]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the function of the structures labelled X. [2]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q1(d) (1 mark): State one ethical issue which should be considered when using animals for dissection. [1]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Using the sigmoid curve the percentage decrease in the haemoglobin saturation between 6 kPa and 2 kPa is 15.5 % per kPa. Calculate the equivalent percentage dec
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the sigmoid curve is more efficient for a respiratory pigment than the linear relationship. [2]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Carbon dioxide normally dissolves slowly in water. Explain why carbon dioxide dissolves much more quickly within red blood cells. [1]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Name ion X and explain why it enters red blood cells. [2]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Use the diagram to explain why an increase in the rate of respiration would lead to more oxygen being released from oxyhaemoglobin. [4]
June 2019, AS Component 2, Q5(f) (3 marks): Suggest why it is particularly important to the tuna to raise the temperature of blood before it reaches the muscle capillaries. [3]
June 2018, Component 3, Q1(a)(iii) (2 marks): The haemoglobin in blood leaving the lungs is not fully saturated with oxygen but in most healthy people reaches a value of 98 to 99%. Suggest two reasons for t
June 2018, Component 3, Q1(a)(iv) (2 marks): One function of the lungs is the excretion of carbon dioxide. State two forms in which carbon dioxide is transported to the lungs for excretion. [2]
June 2018, Component 3, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): parts of the pulmonary circulation
June 2018, Component 3, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): blood pressure is maintained by elastic recoil
June 2018, Component 3, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): blood flow is maintained by contraction of skeletal muscle and breathing movements
June 2018, Component 3, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Using the formula below calculate the total cross-sectional area of the capillaries. Express your answer to three significant figures. [3] cross-sectional area
June 2018, Component 3, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why a low protein diet would result in fluid retention in the tissues. [4]
June 2018, Component 3, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): s found that radioactive phosphate ions were only found in the xylem when oxygen was bubbled through the culture solution. xylem vessel S (i) Name tissue S. [1]
June 2018, Component 3, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how a feature of the cells found in tissue S means that oxygen is needed for the phosphate ions to pass into the xylem. [2]
June 2018, Component 3, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): What conclusions can be reached regarding which vascular tissue is responsible for the spread of Erwinia infections through a plant? Explain your answer. [2]
June 2018, AS Component 1, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): State if this is a transverse or a longitudinal section. Explain your answer. [2]
June 2018, AS Component 1, Q4(b)(ii) (4 marks): With reference to the polar nature of water molecules, explain how the loss of water from leaves enables water to be transported upwards through xylem vessels.
June 2018, AS Component 1, Q4(c)(ii) (5 marks): Explain how the data supports the following hypotheses regarding lateral transport of ions between xylem and phloem. Hypothesis 1. Nitrate is transported from x
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the features of the capillaries that allow this change to take place. [2] The diagram below shows the arrangement of blood vessels in a capillary bed.
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q4(d) (3 marks): With reference to the diagram, describe how tissue fluid is formed. [3]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): Suggest how Plant C was set up as a control for the experiment. [2]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the leaves were removed above the region to be investigated. [2]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why: I. Each stem was enclosed in a glass cylinder containing distilled water. [1] II. The water was changed daily. [1] Question continued on next page.
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(i) (3 marks): h of Total sugar in stem Plant stem / mm above cut region / mg A 8.3 0.08 B 48.7 5.28 C 68.2 3.21 Explain the difference in the results: (i) between A and B [3]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): lass glass xylem and cortex cylinder cylinder xylem removed xylem removed cut through which xylem tissues was removed external to xylem (ii) between B and C [2]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): With reference to the results table, suggest how the reliability of the results might have been improved. [1]
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): State two variables which should have been controlled in this experiment. [1] The diagram below shows a cross section of a root from one of the plants used in t
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(e) (1 mark): Indicate with an arrow on the diagram where you would expect to find the Casparian strip. [1] The apparatus below can be used to demonstrate the formation of ro
June 2018, AS Component 2, Q5(f) (3 marks): With reference to the role of the Casparian strip, explain how cyanide would result in the reduction in root pressure observed. [3]
June 2017, Component 2, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Using numbers for blood vessels and letters for the chambers of heart, describe the route that oestrogen would take from the patch to the organ where it would e
June 2017, Component 2, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Apart from containing more oestrogen, describe one other difference in the blood leaving the patch and arriving at the target organ and state where the change w
June 2017, Component 3, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): In which of the blood vessels labelled A to F on the image could an atheroma develop that could cause angina? Name this blood vessel. [2] Letter Name
June 2017, Component 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why narrowing of these blood vessels could lead to the heart not contracting. [2]
June 2017, Component 3, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Which of the blood vessels labelled A to F on the image of the heart opposite will return blood from the jugular vein to the heart? [1] Letter The graph below s
June 2017, Component 3, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): State the name of the stages in the cardiac cycle during which the tricuspid valve is: [2] I. open II. closed
June 2017, Component 3, Q3(b)(iii) (4 marks): Suggest what causes the increase in pressure in the jugular vein in the regions labelled A and B on the graph. [4]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): What name is given to this type of trace? [1]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the heart rate of this person in beats per minute given that each small square on the trace represents 0.04 seconds. Show your working. [2] Heart rate
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): In the table below, use letters from the diagram to indicate which sections of the trace correspond to the events of the cardiac cycle. [2] Cardiac cycle events
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (6 marks): These events in the cardiac cycle are coordinated by specialised tissues in the heart muscle. Describe the role of the following tissues in the cycle. I. Sino-a
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the apparatus used to measure the rate of water uptake. [1]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Why is it important that no air bubbles enter the apparatus? [1]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): State two precautions the student should take when setting up the experiment to ensure that no air bubbles enter the apparatus. [2]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why the temperature and light intensity were controlled during this investigation. [3] temperature light intensity Readings were taken and the total vol
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): Plot the results shown in the table opposite on the graph paper below. [4]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q2(b)(iii) (5 marks): Describe and explain the results shown. [5]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): A Harbour seal has a muscle mass of 60% of its total body mass. Calculate the muscle mass of a 70 kg Harbour seal and use this to calculate the total oxygen car
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): A 70 kg human would have an oxygen carrying capacity of approximately 300 cm3 oxygen bound to myoglobin in their skeletal muscle. Using the data in the table, e
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q4(b) (4 marks): Suggest how this adaptation helps the seal stay under water for prolonged periods when hunting its prey. [4]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q4(c)(i) (4 marks): Explain the significance of the position and shape of the myoglobin curve. [4]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the position of the dissociation curve of the llama haemoglobin relative to that of adult human haemoglobin. [2]
June 2017, AS Component 2, Q6 (9 marks): Tubifex worms have a similar structure to earthworms. They are one of the few multi-cellular organisms that can survive in heavily polluted water which has low
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Describe one adaptation of red blood cells for transport of oxygen. [1]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain how training at altitude can help improve an athlete’s performance when subsequently competing at sea level. [1]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): The physiology of delivering oxygen to muscles during exercise is linked to the removal of carbon dioxide which is mainly transported in the form of hydrogen ca
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how the production of hydrogen carbonate ions accounts for the Bohr Effect. [2]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(i): a phloem sieve tube,
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): a xylem vessel. [2] In this way aphids can be used to sample sap from the stems of plants. By applying substances to leaves scientists are able to track what is
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): Explain why this observation does not support the mass flow hypothesis and name an alternative hypothesis which could account for the observation. [3]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): What evidence is there in the table that sucrose is transported upwards more quickly than it is transported downwards? [1]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Compare the consistency of the results for radioactivity and the results for fluorescence. [2]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(c)(iii) (2 marks): Describe two limitations of the method used in this investigation. [2]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q3(d) (2 marks): Aphid stylectomy can also be used to estimate rates of translocation. In the experiment above over a six hour period, a total of 0.015 mm3 of sap was collected
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Deoxygenated blood absorbs more red light but transmits more infrared whilst oxygenated blood absorbs more infrared but transmits more red light. Using informat
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): The microprocessor takes readings from each of the sensors and converts the values into a value for percentage saturation of haemoglobin. Complete the table bel
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why an oximeter would be useful for monitoring the condition of a patient suffering from a chronic lung disease. [1]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): A double circulatory system is found in mammals whereas a single system is found in fish. Describe the difference between the systems and explain why a double s
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Use two arrows, labelled A and B, to show the positions of the two defects shown in the drawing. [2]
June 2016, AS Component 2, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): Suggest the consequences of the defects on the circulation of blood and explain the reasons why the oximeter readings would be different from a person without s

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