The diagram shows a section through the heart.

The main blood vessels are labelled A, B, C and

1. D.

(a) Write a letter, A, B, C or D, in the box to represent the correct blood vessel.

(i) Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?

(1)

(ii) Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood to the heart?

(1)

(b) Explain how the highest blood pressure is produced in the left ventricle.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 1 of 25

 (c) Some babies are born with a hole between the right and the left ventricles.

These babies are unable to get enough oxygen to their tissues.

Suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Tubifex worms are small, thin animals that live in water. They have no specialised gas exchange
2. or circulatory system.

The figure below shows a tubifex worm.

(a) Name the process by which oxygen reaches the cells inside the body of a tubifex worm.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Using the information provided, explain how two features of the body of the tubifex worm
allow efficient gas exchange.

1. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

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(c) Most species of tubifex worms live at the bottom of ponds, lakes and rivers where the
partial pressure of oxygen is low. Pollution of water by sewage can cause the partial
pressure of oxygen to fall below 0.2 kPa.

The graph shows the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve for a species of tubifex worm
found in a river polluted with sewage.

The species of tubifex worm in the graph has 50% saturation of their haemoglobin with
oxygen at 0.08 kPa.

Explain how this enables this species to survive in water polluted with sewage.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Species of tubifex worm that live in ponds, lakes and rivers cannot survive in seawater.

Use your knowledge of water potential to explain why they cannot survive in seawater.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 3 of 25

 It is possible to test for signs of heart disease using an exercise test. This involves the patient
3. doing a controlled period of exercise whilst their heart rate is monitored.

Scientists measured the heart rates of 700 healthy adult males aged between 25 and 54 before,
during and after an exercise test. The test involved running on a treadmill at different speeds.
Their results are shown in the graph below in the form in which they were presented.

The data in the graph above can be used as a reference for doctors when assessing a patient for
heart disease.

(a) The data in the graph above do not provide helpful information for all groups of patients.
Give two groups of patients to which these data could not be applied.

1 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 4 of 25

(b) The guidelines for using an exercise test for assessment contain the following statements.

1. Ideally, patients should stop taking any medications for a period of time before the
test.
2. In reality, most patients will need to continue taking their medications.

Suggest an explanation for each of these statements.

Statement 1 ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Statement 2 _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 5 of 25

 (a) Figure 1 shows part of the blood circulation in a mammal.
4.
Figure 1

Use Figure 1 to give the letter that represents each of these blood vessels.

Aorta

Renal vein

Vena cava

(3)

(b) Name the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart muscle.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 6 of 25

(c) Figure 2 shows a photograph of part of a mitochondrion from a mouse liver cell taken using
a transmission electron microscope at × 62 800 magnification.

Figure 2

Produce a scientific drawing of the mitochondrion in Figure 2 in the box below.

Label the following parts of the mitochondrion on your drawing.

• Matrix
• Crista

(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 7 of 25

 The artery leaving the left ventricle is the aorta. One form of heart disease is aortic valve disease
5. (AVD). In this disease, the valve (the aortic valve) between the left ventricle and the aorta opens
normally but only partly closes. This means that when the ventricle relaxes some blood flows
back into the ventricle from the aorta.

Severe AVD can be treated by replacing the aortic valve.

A surgeon investigated the effect of this treatment,

• He replaced the aortic valves of 19 patients with valves removed from donors who had
recently died.
• The valves from donors were stored in an isotonic antibiotic solution before use.
• He recorded the maximum pressure reached in an artery (as the ventricles contract) and
minimum pressure in the artery (as the ventricles relax) in each patient before and after
valve replacement surgery.

His results are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Mean maximum pressure Mean minimum pressure

reached in the artery / kPa reached in the artery / kPa
(± standard deviation) (± standard deviation)

Before surgery 21.7 (±3.5) 4.8 (±2.5)

After surgery 18.2 (±2.2) 11.0 (±1.1)

This investigation involved 19 patients.

• The mean age was 36 years (standard deviation ±17 years).

• The mean time after surgery that pressure readings were taken was 7 months (standard
deviation ±5 months).

Table 2 shows the normal range of values of pressure in this artery in the UK.

Table 2

Pressure Range of pressures / kPa

Maximum 12.0 to 18.5

Minimum 8.0 to 11.9

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 8 of 25

Aortic valves removed from donors were stored in isotonic solution containing an antibiotic before
being used in valve replacement surgery.

(a) Explain why the valves were stored in an isotonic solution.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Explain why the valves were stored in a solution containing an antibiotic.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) There was a significant increase in the minimum blood pressure in the artery after valve
replacement surgery.
Explain why the valve replacement surgery had this effect.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 9 of 25

(d) The surgeon concluded that there was sufficient evidence for him to continue using this
treatment.

How does the information above support his conclusion?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(e) How does the information above not support his conclusion?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(f) From the data in Table 1 it is not possible to determine the highest pressure measured.
Explain why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 10 of 25

 (a) Describe the pathway taken by an oxygen molecule from an alveolus to the blood.
6.
___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Explain how one feature of an alveolus allows efficient gas exchange to occur.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 11 of 25

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is present in cigarette smoke. This carbon monoxide
can be absorbed into the blood where it binds with haemoglobin.

Scientists investigated the concentration of carbon monoxide in cars in which people were
smoking or not smoking. They measured the concentration with the car windows open and
closed. The graph shows the scientists’ results as they presented them. A value of ± 2 standard
deviations from the mean includes over 95% of the data.

(c) In England, in October 2015, a law was introduced making it illegal to smoke in a car
carrying someone who is under the age of 18.

Following the introduction of the law, a politician stated:

‘It is dangerous to smoke when a child is in the car. Higher levels of deadly toxins can build
up, even on short journeys, and children breathe faster than adults, meaning they inhale
more of the deadly toxins.’

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 12 of 25

Use the information provided and the data in the graph to evaluate the politician’s
statements.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 13 of 25

 It is possible to test for signs of heart disease using an exercise test. This involves the patient
7. doing a controlled period of exercise whilst their heart rate is monitored.

Scientists measured the heart rates of 700 healthy adult males aged between 25 and 54 before,
during and after an exercise test. The test involved running on a treadmill at different speeds.
Their results are shown in the graph below in the form in which they were presented.

(a) Suggest two variables the scientists would have controlled during the exercise test.

1 _________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Calculate the ratio of the range of heart rates at exercise level 3 and exercise level 1.

Answer = ____________________________________ : 1
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 14 of 25

 Under the correct conditions, new roots grow from the cut end of a plant stem. A scientist
8. investigated the effect of substance X on the growth of new roots.

She used a ringing experiment to investigate the movement of substance X in stems taken from
lemon plants. She cut out a length of stem from each plant. She then put a small block of agar on
the top of each length of stem. Some agar blocks contained substance X.

The diagram below shows how she treated each length of stem.

She grew the lengths of stem in the same environmental conditions for 6 weeks, and then found
the number of roots per length of stem. Roots grew at the other end of the stem from where the
agar blocks were placed.

The table below shows the scientist’s results.

Mean number of roots per

Treatment
length of stem

D 5

E 11

F 4

G 3

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 15 of 25

(a) Treatment D is a control. Explain how the measurement obtained from this control is used
by the scientist.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Using the diagram and the table above, what can you conclude from treatments D and E
about root growth?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 16 of 25

(c) The mass flow hypothesis is used to explain the movement of substances through phloem.

Evaluate whether the information from this investigation supports this hypothesis.
Do not consider statistical analysis in the answer.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 17 of 25

 The diagram outlines the digestion and absorption of lipids.
9.

(a) Tick (✔) the box by the name of the process by which fatty acids and glycerol enter the
intestinal epithelial cell.

Active transport

Diffusion

Endocytosis

Osmosis

(1)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 18 of 25

(b) Explain the advantages of lipid droplet and micelle formation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Name structure Q in the diagram above and suggest how it is involved in the absorption of
lipids.

Name _____________________________________________________________

How it is involved ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 19 of 25

 The graph shows the volume changes in the left ventricle of a human heart during two cardiac
10. cycles. The numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent times when heart valves open or close.

(a) Use information from the graph to complete the table in part (a). Place the number 1, 2, 3
or 4 in the appropriate box.

Valve opens Valve closes

Semi-lunar valve

Atrioventricular valve

(2)

(b) Use the diagram above to calculate the volume of blood pumped per minute by the left
ventricle.

Answer = ____________________ cm3 min−1

(2)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 20 of 25

(c) Explain the role of the heart in the formation of tissue fluid.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Lymphoedema is a swelling in the legs which may be caused by a blockage in the
lymphatic system.

Suggest how a blockage in the lymphatic system could cause lymphoedema.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 21 of 25

 Stomata are found mainly on the underside of leaves of dicotyledonous plants.
11. A student painted a layer of nail varnish on the lower epidermis of a leaf.
She peeled off the dry layer of nail varnish and placed it on a microscope slide. The student was
able to see the impressions of the stomata on the varnish using an optical microscope.
She then determined the mean diameter of the stomata.

(a) Describe how the student could use an eyepiece graticule to determine the mean diameter
of stomata.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

A scientist investigated the effect of treating the leaves of one species of plant with three different
substances. These substances reduce the stomatal diameter. He compared the mean diameter
of stomata after treating the leaves with these substances with the mean stomatal diameter on
control leaves treated with distilled water.

The scientist’s results are shown in the graph below.

The mean stomatal diameter of the control leaves was 7.5 μm.

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 22 of 25

(b) Calculate the ratio of mean stomatal diameter of leaves treated with PS3 to those treated
with ABA.

Answer = ___________ : 1
(2)

(c) ABA is a substance that some plant species produce when little water is available.

Explain why producing ABA may help these species survive in dry conditions.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Many species of plants can be infected by powdery mildew which is spread by microscopic
spores in the air.

Suggest how treatment with Lam13 might protect plants against powdery mildew infection.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 23 of 25

 The graph shows the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curves for fetal haemoglobin (HbF) and adult
12. haemoglobin (HbA).

(a) Explain how changes in the shape of haemoglobin result in the S-shaped (sigmoid)
oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve for HbA.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) At birth 98% of the haemoglobin is HbF. By the age of 6 months, the HbF has usually
completely disappeared from the baby’s blood and been replaced by HbA.

Use the graph above to explain why this change is an advantage for the baby.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 24 of 25

(c) Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by production of faulty HbA. This results in a reduced
ability to transport oxygen to tissues. Scientists investigated the use of a substance called
hydroxyurea to treat babies with SCD. Hydroxyurea changes the concentration of HbF in
the blood.

The scientists carried out an investigation with 122 babies who had SCD. Each baby was
given hydroxyurea for 41 months. The scientists then found the mean change in the
concentration of HbF in the babies’ blood.

Their results are shown in the table.

Mean concentration of HbF in the babies’ blood /

arbitrary units

Before treatment with After treatment with

hydroxyurea (± 1 hydroxyurea (± 1
standard deviation) standard deviation)

7.6 19.1
(± 4.5) (± 6.5)

The scientists concluded that treatment with hydroxyurea would increase the concentration
of oxygen in the blood of babies with SCD.

Suggest how the graph and table above support this conclusion.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Dixons Sixth Form Academy Page 25 of 25