plumiCirculatory systems: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 3.1.2.1 Circulatory systems, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q21(a)(ii)
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All 19 questions on Circulatory systems, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q21(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why insects can function with open circulatory systems. [3]
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q21(a)(iii) (2 marks): The largest fish is the whale shark. Whale sharks have an average mass of 20 tonnes. The largest marine mammal is the blue whale. Blue whales have an average ma
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q25(a) (2 marks): The Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, is the largest land mammal in Asia. It is an endangered species. Asian elephants need a transport system because they are a
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(i) (1 mark): Describe the type of circulatory system shown in Fig. 26.2. [1]
- June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q26(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why larger organisms, such as a bird, need a circulatory system but some smaller organisms do not need a circulatory system. [2]
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why A. aerophoba does not need a circulatory system. [1]
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): A diagram of the circulatory system of S. fasciatum is shown in Fig. 4.2. Arteries Gills Veins Heart Body tissues Fig. 4.2 Describe the type of circulatory syst
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (3 marks): The table below shows some data on these two organisms. Surface area (cm2) Volume (cm3) Organism Immortal jellyfish 10.5 1.5 Sea bass 270.0 810.0 A student made
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Fig. 2.1 shows the circulatory system of the sea bass. Heart Capillaries in gill Capillaries in rest of the body Fig. 2.1 Name the type of circulatory system sh
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): The circulatory systems of the sea bass and mammals are described as closed circulatory systems. Define the term closed circulatory system. [1]
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q2(a)(iv) (2 marks): State two differences between the closed circulatory system of the sea bass and the closed circulatory system of a mammal. 1 2 [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Large multicellular animals need a transport system for oxygen and carbon dioxide. Large multicellular plants do not need a transport system for oxygen and carb
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q18(a) (6 marks): Mammals and fish both need circulatory systems to transport oxygen to respiring tissues. They have different circulatory systems because they have different oxy
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): The aquatic crustacean Daphnia magna has a heart that pumps a blood-like liquid called haemolymph around the body cavity. Which of the statements, A to D, descr
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q21(d)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why the surface area to volume ratio of an organism determines whether it needs a circulatory system. [3]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q16(c) (3 marks): Outline the reasons why insects and other animals need well-developed transport systems. [3]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): What type of circulatory system is shown in all these animals? [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): How does the circulatory system of a fish compare to that of a mammal? [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q5(b) (6 marks): (b)* Fig. 5.2, on the insert, shows the flow of blood through the heart of an amphibian such as a frog. Use the information in Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2 to compare
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