Skip to content
Try on iPad

Kidney functions and malfunctions: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions

Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions1,889
Calculations

1,889 questions

  1. Q35(a)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    4 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(a)(i): Complete the sentences about how structures in the nephron are adapted for ultrafiltration. Blood enters the glomerulus via the afferent . Endothelial cells lin

  2. Q35(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(a)(ii): Suggest which of the nephrons has a main function in concentrating urine and give a reason for your choice. [1]

  3. Q35(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(a)(iii): In human adults, approximately 85% of nephrons are cortical nephrons. Calculate the total number of juxtamedullary nephrons present in a human adult with an ave

  4. Q35(b)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(b)(i): State one conclusion that can be drawn from the data and outline two limitations of the method that could affect the validity of your conclusion. Conclusion Lim

  5. Q35(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(b)(ii): Explain the importance of calculating standard deviation for the data. [2]

  6. Q35(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(c): Transplant surgery is also used for kidney failure. State one advantage and one disadvantage of transplant surgery. Advantage Disadvantage [2]

  7. Q31(a)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 31(a): Complete the sentences about urea using the most appropriate word(s). Ammonia is produced when excess amino acids are in the liver. Ammonia is then combined wit

  8. Q31(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 31(b)(i): Sample X was prepared to match the control colours. Using Fig. 31 outline how samples Y and Z were prepared to give the results shown by ‘mock’ urine samples. [

  9. Q31(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 31(b)(ii): Suggest why it was important to store ‘mock’ urine sample Z at 4 °C. [1]

  10. Q3(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 3(a): A student dissected a kidney. One half of the dissected kidney is shown in Fig. 3.1 on the Insert. Draw a simple diagram of the dissected kidney, shown in Fig.

  11. Q3(b)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 3(b): Osmoregulation in the kidney can be affected by a condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). Fig. 3.2 shows how ADH concentration in the bl

  12. Q3(d)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 3(d): Kidney failure has a variety of possible causes. This is a description of kidney failure: The person noticed their symptoms developing over a long period of tim

  13. Q3(e)

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 3(e): Outline the possible future use of stem cells in kidney transplant surgery. [2]

  14. Q21

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 21: Which hormone is released by the kidney? A Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) B Erythropoietin C Glucagon D Insulin Your answer [1]

  15. Q7(a)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 7(a): The image below is a transmission electron micrograph of a section through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of a human kidney. Identify one structural featu

  16. Q7(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 7(b)(i): The table lists statements about two types of dialysis treatment. Complete the table by writing ‘true’ or ‘false’ for each statement. Statement True or false Bo

  17. Q7(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 7(b)(ii): A student made the following statement about transplant surgery: Dialysis is only a treatment for kidney failure, but transplant surgery is a permanent solution

  18. Q5(b)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 5(b)(i): State the part of a kidney nephron in which most of the water is reabsorbed. [1]

  19. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 3

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 3, question 5(b)(ii): State a part of a kidney nephron in which ADH can change the permeability to water. [1]

  20. Q26

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    1 mark5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 26: Existing treatments for kidney failure include dialysis and transplant surgery. Therapeutic cloning involves growing kidney tissue from the patient’s stem cells
All 41 questions on Kidney functions and malfunctions, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(a)(i) (4 marks): Complete the sentences about how structures in the nephron are adapted for ultrafiltration. Blood enters the glomerulus via the afferent . Endothelial cells lin
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest which of the nephrons has a main function in concentrating urine and give a reason for your choice. [1]
  3. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(a)(iii) (1 mark): In human adults, approximately 85% of nephrons are cortical nephrons. Calculate the total number of juxtamedullary nephrons present in a human adult with an ave
  4. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(b)(i) (3 marks): State one conclusion that can be drawn from the data and outline two limitations of the method that could affect the validity of your conclusion. Conclusion Lim
  5. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the importance of calculating standard deviation for the data. [2]
  6. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(c) (2 marks): Transplant surgery is also used for kidney failure. State one advantage and one disadvantage of transplant surgery. Advantage Disadvantage [2]
  7. June 2024, Paper 1, Q31(a) (3 marks): Complete the sentences about urea using the most appropriate word(s). Ammonia is produced when excess amino acids are in the liver. Ammonia is then combined wit
  8. June 2024, Paper 1, Q31(b)(i) (3 marks): Sample X was prepared to match the control colours. Using Fig. 31 outline how samples Y and Z were prepared to give the results shown by ‘mock’ urine samples. [
  9. June 2024, Paper 1, Q31(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why it was important to store ‘mock’ urine sample Z at 4 °C. [1]
  10. June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): A student dissected a kidney. One half of the dissected kidney is shown in Fig. 3.1 on the Insert. Draw a simple diagram of the dissected kidney, shown in Fig.
  11. June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(b) (3 marks): Osmoregulation in the kidney can be affected by a condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD). Fig. 3.2 shows how ADH concentration in the bl
  12. June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(d) (2 marks): Kidney failure has a variety of possible causes. This is a description of kidney failure: The person noticed their symptoms developing over a long period of tim
  13. June 2023, Paper 3, Q3(e) (2 marks): Outline the possible future use of stem cells in kidney transplant surgery. [2]
  14. June 2022, Paper 1, Q21 (1 mark): Which hormone is released by the kidney? A Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) B Erythropoietin C Glucagon D Insulin Your answer [1]
  15. June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): The image below is a transmission electron micrograph of a section through the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) of a human kidney. Identify one structural featu
  16. June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(b)(i) (2 marks): The table lists statements about two types of dialysis treatment. Complete the table by writing ‘true’ or ‘false’ for each statement. Statement True or false Bo
  17. June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(b)(ii) (3 marks): A student made the following statement about transplant surgery: Dialysis is only a treatment for kidney failure, but transplant surgery is a permanent solution
  18. June 2022, Paper 3, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): State the part of a kidney nephron in which most of the water is reabsorbed. [1]
  19. June 2022, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): State a part of a kidney nephron in which ADH can change the permeability to water. [1]
  20. November 2021, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): Existing treatments for kidney failure include dialysis and transplant surgery. Therapeutic cloning involves growing kidney tissue from the patient’s stem cells
  21. November 2021, Paper 1, Q27 (1 mark): The kidney has several functions as an endocrine organ. Which of the options, A to D, is not an endocrine function of the kidney? A osmoregulation to control th
  22. November 2020, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): The diagram below shows the structure of an amino acid. Four regions are labelled A to D. B A C H H O H N C C OH R D Which of the regions, A to D, is removed fr
  23. November 2020, Paper 1, Q26 (1 mark): Which of the following statements is/are true of haemodialysis? 1: Haemodialysis is often performed under medical supervision. 2: Molecules move from the patien
  24. November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(b) (2 marks): Familial renal glucosuria (FRG) is caused by mutations in the gene coding for the sodium- glucose cotransporter SGLT2. These mutations cause a reduction in SGLT
  25. November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(c) (3 marks): FRG is classified into type A, type B and type O. Fig. 33.2 shows the relationship between blood glucose concentration and glucose reabsorption in healthy indiv
  26. November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(d)(i) (1 mark): Patients with FRG often produce excessive quantities of urine. Suggest why. [1]
  27. November 2020, Paper 1, Q33(d)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how concentration of urine is regulated in healthy individuals. [3]
  28. June 2019, Paper 3, Q3(d)(i) (4 marks): The results of a similar investigation are shown in Table 3.2. Location of body fluid Mean concentration of Standard deviation sample glucose (mmol dm–3) Bowman
  29. June 2019, Paper 3, Q3(d)(ii) (1 mark): A student concludes that these data came from a diabetic person. Select one piece of evidence to support this conclusion. [1]
  30. June 2018, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is required for osmoregulation. Which of the options, A to D, is a region of the nephron that is responsive to ADH? A Bowman’s capsul
  31. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Which cells in the body are targeted by EPO? [1]
  32. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): What change in conditions within the body would lead to an increase in the production of EPO? [1]
  33. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): rhEPO can be used in the treatment of anaemia. Explain why the normal action of EPO in the body makes it useful as a treatment for anaemia. [1]
  34. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why CKD patients often develop anaemia. [2]
  35. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(c)(iii) (3 marks): CKD can also trigger cardiovascular disease. Explain how. [3]
  36. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(c)(iv) (2 marks): Darbepoetin alfa can also be used to treat CKD. It is a molecule with a similar structure to rhEPO. Researchers injected a group of CKD patients with either dar
  37. June 2018, Paper 2, Q6(d) (3 marks): CKD patients that develop kidney failure can be treated by dialysis, but this is not a cure. A kidney transplant can remove the need for dialysis. However, tran
  38. June 2017, Paper 1, Q37(a)(i) (2 marks): With reference to Fig. 37.1, describe how the composition of the blood changes over time. [2]
  39. June 2017, Paper 1, Q37(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain the changes described in (i). [3]
  40. June 2017, Paper 1, Q37(b) (2 marks): Peritoneal dialysis is another form of dialysis that is used to treat kidney failure. State one advantage and one disadvantage of peritoneal dialysis compared w
  41. June 2017, Paper 1, Q37(d) (3 marks): A patient with kidney failure requires treatment in the form of either haemodialysis or a kidney transplant. Some medical notes about the patient are shown in F

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © OCR, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Every OCR A-Level Biology B paper.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.