5. Respiration and Breathing: Exam Questions and Answers
1. [2008 OL]
(i) From the list on the right identify the correct word(s) needed to replace each of the numbers 1
and 2 in the equation below so that the equation describes respiration.
(ii) Glucose + 1 → 2 + Water + Energy
2. [2007]
Complete the following word equation for aerobic respiration.
Glucose (Food)
+
____________ →
Energy
+
_______________
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
+ Water
3. [2007]
State how you would show the presence of one of the products of aerobic respiration by means of a chemical test.
4. [2007 OL]
Limewater was placed in test tube A and in test tube B.
(i) What effect has carbon dioxide on limewater?
The student inhaled through test tube A and exhaled
through test tube B twenty times.
The student saw no change in the appearance of the
limewater in test tube A. The appearance of the
limewater in test tube B had changed.
(ii) What change would you expect the student to have seen
in the limewater in test tube B?
(iii) What conclusion should the student have drawn from
what he/she saw?
5. [2006]
The diagram is of an apparatus used to show that exhaled air contains carbon dioxide.
When performing this experiment a control is required to show that inhaled air contains less
carbon dioxide than exhaled air.
Describe, using a labelled diagram, a suitable control procedure.
6. [2009]
The diagram shows the apparatus used by a pupil when performing an experiment in a school laboratory.
The pupil blew (exhaled) air into test tube X.
The pupil sucked (inhaled) air from test tube Y.
The pupil continued, alternately, blowing and sucking air, as
above, until liquid A in one of the test tubes turned milky.
(i) Name liquid A.
(ii) In which test tube, X or Y, did the liquid turn milky?
(iii) Why did liquid A turn milky in one of the test tubes?
(iv) What conclusion can be made from the result of this experiment
regarding the difference in composition between exhaled and
inhaled air?
(v) Complete the word equation, below, for aerobic respiration.
Food + ___________
→
_____________________ + energy + water
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7. [2006]
The diagram shows the structure of a human lung. Air passes in and out of the lungs,
via the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. Gaseous exchange takes place in the
structures labelled A.
(i) Name structure A.
(ii) How does gaseous exchange take place in the structures labelled A?
8. [2006 OL]
The heart pumps blood to the lungs and around the body.
The diagram shows part of the breathing system.
(i) Name the parts of the breathing system labelled X and Y in the diagram.
(ii) Complete the sentence below using a word from the list on the right.
There is more ____________________ in exhaled air than in inhaled air.
(iii) A balance of exercise and rest promotes good health.
Name one activity which has a harmful effect on the breathing system.
9. [2009 OL]
Rib cage
The diagram shows a model of the human breathing system.
Diaphragm
(i) Name the part of the breathing system represented by the
balloons.
(ii) Choose from the list on the right the correct word to complete the sentence below.
The part of the breathing system represented by the bell-jar is the ___________.
Other Test Questions
1. Define the term respiration.
2. Complete the following word equation for cellular respiration.
Glucose + ______________
→
Carbon dioxide + ________________
+ energy
3. When a student exhales into a test-tube surrounded by a freezing mixture of ice and salt a colourless is formed
(i) What is this liquid and describe a test to prove it.
(ii) Why is necessary to put the test-tube in a freezing mixture?
4. Give the word equation for respiration.
5. How would you demonstrate that heat energy is produced during respiration?
6. How would you demonstrate that water is produced during respiration?
7. How would you demonstrate that carbon dioxide is produced during respiration?
8. What is anaerobic respiration?
9. Describe with the aid of a diagram how to compare the carbon dioxide levels of inhaled and exhaled air.
10. Describe how oxygen is taken into the bloodstream from the lungs.
11. Describe how carbon dioxide is taken into the lungs from the bloodstream during gaseous exchange.
12. How are these two processes affected by smoking?
13. Draw a labelled diagram of the lungs – include trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.
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Biology: 6. The Circulation System
Syllabus
OB13 Describe the function and composition of blood, and know that blood contains white blood cells, red blood
cells and platelets in a liquid called plasma
OB14 Understand the structure and function of the heart, identify the four chambers of the heart, and explain the
difference between the left and right ventricles
OB15 Describe the passage of blood through the heart and lungs via arteries and veins, identify the pulmonary artery
and vein, aorta and vena cava, and distinguish between arteries, veins and capillaries
OB16 Demonstrate the effect of exercise and rest on pulse and breathing rate and understand that a balance of each
promotes good health
OB17 Recall that the average pulse rate for an adult at rest is 70 b.p.m., and explain why exercise results in increased
pulse and breathing rates
OB18 Recall that the normal temperature of the human body is 37 °C, and understand that illness may cause a
change in body temperature
OB19 Understand that the products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream and are thus circulated around the
body
Student Notes
The circulatory system consists of blood, the heart and blood vessels
Blood
Composition and function of blood
Part
Plasma
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Function
Liquid part of blood.
Carries blood cells, digested food and wastes around the body
Contains haemoglobin (iron-based pigment) which carries the oxygen
(5 million per mm3)
Fight infection – engulf germs or release antibodies which kill germs.
Blood clotting
The Heart
The heart pumps blood around the body
The four chambers of the heart
The four chambers of the heart consist of the left ventricle, the right ventricle, the left atrium and the right atrium.
3


The difference between the left and right ventricles
The left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle because the left ventricle pumps blood all around the
body whereas the right ventricle just pumps blood to the lungs.
Right (deoxygenated) and left (oxygenated) sides are separated by the septum.
Identify the pulmonary artery and vein, aorta and vena cava
Passage of blood through the heart and lungs via arteries and veins.
Blood vessel
Aorta
Carries blood from:
Body
Carries blood to:
Body
Vena cava
Heart
Heart
Pulmonary artery
Heart
Lungs
Pulmonary vein
Lungs
Heart
Blood vessels: Arteries, veins and capillaries
Arteries
Have thick walls to resist
pressure
Have thin walls
Veins
Carry blood under high pressure
Carry blood under low pressure
Cary blood AWAY from heart
Carry blood TO the heart
No valves
Have valves to prevent backflow of blood
Narrow lumen
Wide lumen
Blood travels in spurts
Blood flows evenly
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Capillaries
Have very thin walls one cell
thick) to allow substance to pass
in and out from cells.
Connect arteries to veins
The average pulse rate for an adult at rest is 70 beats per minute
Exercise results in increased pulse and breathing rates
Why?
The body uses a lot of energy when exercising so the heart needs to pump a lot of oxygen and food around the body.
This results in an increase in heart-beat and rate of breathing.
To demonstrate the effect of exercise and rest on pulse and breathing rate
A pulse is caused by the surge of blood in an artery due to a heartbeat.
1. Count the number of beats per min at your wrist or at your neck.
2. Exercise vigorously for two minutes.
3. Take your pulse again.
Result: Your pulse rate should now be much greater.
Conclusion: Exercise increase heartbeat and pulse rate.
Exercise is beneficial to the heart as it makes it stronger and reduces weight.
Note: Heart rate can also be increased by excitement, anxiety and smoking.
A balance of exercise and rest promotes good health
The normal temperature of the human body is 37 °C but illness may cause a change in body temperature
The products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream and are thus circulated around the body
5
Exam Questions
1. [2006]
Blood is a liquid tissue. The diagram shows blood viewed through a microscope.
Name any two components of blood shown in the diagram.
Give the function of each of the components of blood you have named.
2. [2008]
The photograph shows a red blood cell and a white
blood cell taken using an electron microscope.
Give one function for each type blood cell.
3. [2006 OL]
Blood helps transport food and other materials around the body.
It also helps fight infection.
(i) Name the liquid part of blood that helps transport materials.
(ii) Name the blood cells that help fight infection.
4. [2009 OL]
The heart forms part of the circulatory system.
Ventricle
Answer the following questions on the heart and the circulatory
Atrium
system.
(i) The blood vessels labelled A in the diagram carry blood away from the heart.
Name this type of blood vessel.
(ii) Choose from the list on the right, the name of the small chamber of the heart labelled
B in the diagram.
(iii) Why is the wall of the left side of the heart thicker than the wall of the right side?
[2006 OL]
Name the chambers of the heart labelled X and Y in the diagram.
5. [2007 OL]
The diagram shows the human heart. Blood moves
Arteries
through vessels called arteries and veins.
Veins
(i) In the table on the right write the letter A beside the
name of the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
(ii) Write the letter T beside the name of the blood vessels that carry blood to the
heart.
(iii) Why is the wall of the left side of the heart thicker than the wall on the right
side?
6. [2006]
The diagram shows the human heart.
Why has the left ventricle got a thicker wall than the right ventricle?
7. [2009]
Label clearly the pulmonary artery with an A, and the
pulmonary vein with a V in the diagram of the heart.
6
8. [2008]
The diagram shows cross sections of an artery and of a vein.
Why do arteries have much thicker walls than veins?
9. [2008]
Give one other structural difference between arteries and veins.
10. [2006]
What causes a person’s pulse?
11. [2006]
The diagram shows a person’s pulse rate being taken.
How is a person’s pulse rate measured using this method?
12. [2006]
An athlete’s resting pulse rate is 58. After 10 minutes strenuous exercise their pulse rate was
120. After resting for 5 minutes their pulse rate reduced to 63. Clearly account for the rise and
fall in pulse rate experienced by the athlete.
Other Test Questions
1. What substances does the blood carry?
2. Give the function of each of the following: (i) white blood cells, (ii) red blood cells and (iii) platelets.
3. What is the main function of the heart?
4. What are the four main chambers of the heart?
5. Draw a diagram of the heart. Identify on the diagram the pulmonary artery and vein, aorta and vena cava, and also
the four main chambers.
6. What is the difference between the left and right ventricles of the heart?
7. Distinguish between arteries, veins and capillaries.
8. Describe how you would demonstrate the effect of exercise and rest on pulse and breathing rate.
9. What is the average pulse rate for an adult at rest?
10. Explain why exercise results in increased pulse and breathing rates.
11. What is the normal temperature of the human body?
12. What is the effect of illness on body temperature?
13.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Draw a labelled diagram of the heart – include the 4 chambers and 4 blood vessels, valves and septum.
Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than that of the right ventricle?
What is the name of blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart?
Why do athletes train at high altitude, thereby increasing the number of red blood cells, to improve their
performance?
14.
7
(i) How do you measure your heart rate?
(ii) What is the average resting pulse?
(iii) What is the effect of exercise on your pulse?
(iv) Does a fitter person’s heat rate return to normal quicker or slower?
8
Biology: 7. Excretion
Syllabus
OB20 Understand the structure and function of the urinary system: the bladder, renal artery, renal vein, ureter,
urethra and kidney
OB21 Name the products of excretion: CO2, water and urea
OB22 Understand the function of the skin in the excretion of waste products made in the body
OB23 Recall that waste products are removed from the bloodstream by filtration in the kidneys in the form of urine,
which contains urea, water and salts, and that urine is stored in the bladder before being released from the
body.
Student Notes
Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body
Structure of the urinary system
The products of excretion are carbon dioxide, water, salts and urea
Urea is a nitrogen-containing compound (remember that the air which we breath in is mostly nitrogen).
Function of the urinary system
Renal artery
Kidney
Renal vein
Ureter
Bladder
Urethra
Carries blood into from the body to the kidneys to be filtered
Removes water, salts and urea from the blood to form urine
Carries filtered blood from the kidneys to the heart
Tubes which carry urine from the kidney to the bladder
Stores urine until it can be released from the body
Takes urine from the bladder to outside the body via either the penis or the vagina
Waste products are removed from the bloodstream by filtration in the
kidneys in the form of urine, which contains urea, water and salts
Organ
Lungs
Kidneys
Skin
Substance excreted
Carbon dioxide
Water, salts, urea
Salts, water
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Exam Questions
1. [2007 OL]
Choose the correct part of the human body from the list on the right to complete the following
sentence.
The _________________ is a human organ of excretion.
2. [2009]
(i) Name the organ shown in the diagram.
(ii) Give the function of the organ shown.
3. [2008 OL]
The diagram shows the human urinary system.
(i) Name the part labelled A in the diagram.
(ii) What is the function of the part labelled B in the diagram?
4. [2008]
The diagram shows the human urinary system.
How does the composition of the blood in the renal arteries differ from the composition of the
blood in the renal veins? Make reference to waste products in your answer.
5. [2008]
Account for the difference in the composition of the blood entering and leaving the kidneys.
6. [2008]
What is the function of the ureters?
7. [2009 OL]
The diagram shows part of the human urinary system.
Answer the following questions on the urinary system.
(i) Name the parts labelled A and B in the diagram.
(ii) Give one function of part B.
(iii) Name the waste product produced by part A.
(iv) Name one other waste product produced by the human body.
8. [2007]
The diagram shows some of the structures in human skin.
The skin has many functions.
One of them is excretion. Skin excretes sweat.
Name two substances excreted in sweat.
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Eye
Joint
Kidney
Muscle
Other Test Questions
1. Name three excretory organs and what they excrete.
2. Draw a labelled diagram of the urinary system – include kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, renal veins, renal
arteries.
3.
Which blood vessel brings waste products into the kidney.
4. What is the name of the process that removes waste products from the blood?
Where does it occur?
5. What is the difference in blood in the renal vein and the renal artery?
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Biology: 8. The Skeleton and Movement
Syllabus
OB24 Identify the main parts of the human skeleton and understand that the functions are support, movement and
protection
OB25 Locate the major bones in the human body including the skull, ribs, vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade,
humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula, using a diagram or a model skeleton
OB26 Understand the function of joints and muscles (including antagonistic pairs), tendons and ligaments, and the
relationship between these and bones
OB27 Describe the general structure and action of different types of joints: fused, ball and socket and hinged, and
identify examples of each: skull, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee
Student Notes
The functions of the skeleton are support, protection and movement
Support
Our skeleton supports our body and maintains its shape.
Protection
It also protects our soft organs; the skull protects the brain, the
backbone protects the spinal cord, the ribcage protects heart
and lungs etc.
Movement
Our skeleton also enables us to move with the help of
muscles.
Muscles
Bones are moved by contraction of muscles.
Usually another muscle is used to return the bone to its
original position. For this reason, muscles normally occur in
pairs that exert opposite forces called antagonistic pairs.
Antagonistic muscles are muscles working in pairs in opposite
directions controlling the movement of a joint e.g. biceps and
triceps.
Joints
A joint is the place where two bones move against each other.
Types of joints
1. Fused has no movement e.g. skull
2. Ball and Socket allows movements in all directions, e.g.
hips, shoulder
3. Hinge can bend in one direction only, e.g. knee, elbow
The function of muscles and joints is to allow movement
Synovial fluid lubricates the joint and allows the bones to move easily (it acts as a shock absorber).
Cartilage is soft skeletal tissue which covers and protects the ends of bones (it also acts as a shock absorber).
A tendon joins a muscle to a bone (it has little elasticity and cannot be stretched)
A ligament joins bone to bone (it is elastic and can be stretched)
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Exam Questions
1. [2006 OL]
(i) Name the bone of the human skeleton labelled A in the diagram on the right.
(ii) Name an organ that is protected by the skull.
2. [2007]
Different types of joints hold together the bones of our skeleton.
(i) Name the type of joint labelled in the diagram of the human skull.
(ii) How does this type of joint differ from other types of joints found in
our bodies?
3. [2006]
The diagram shows the structure of an elbow.
(i) Name bone A.
(ii) Identify the type of moveable joint B.
4. [2009]
The diagram shows a detailed drawing of the structure of
the knee joint. The kneecap is not shown.
(i) Name the bones labelled A and B.
(ii) What type of joint is the knee?
5. [2009]
C is synovial fluid. D is a ligament.
(i) Give the functions of the parts labelled C and D in the
knee.
(ii) Explain the action of antagonistic pairs of muscles in causing the movement of limbs.
You may use a labelled diagram in your answer if you wish.
6. [2009 OL]
The diagram shows part of the human skeleton.
Answer the following questions on the human skeleton.
(i) Name the bones of the skeleton labelled A and B in the diagram.
(ii) Give any two functions of the human skeleton.
7. [2007 OL]
(i) In the table below place the letter S beside the name of an organ protected by the skull.
(ii) Write the letter R beside the name of an organ protected by the ribs.
8. [2008 OL]
One of the functions of the skeleton is to protect the body.
(i) In the table write the letter P beside the organ which is protected by the pelvis.
(ii) In the table write the letter S beside the organ which is protected by the skull.
(iii) In the table write the letter R beside the organ which is protected by the ribs.
(iv) Give one other function of the skeleton, other than protection.
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Brain
Heart
Stomach
Kidney
Lungs
Brain
Kidney
9. [2007 OL]
In each case, choose the correct part of the human body from the list on the right to complete the
following sentences.
(i) The structure formed where two bones meet is called a ________________.
(ii) The tissue that causes movement of joined bones is called ______________.
Other Test Questions
14. List three functions of the skeleton.
15. List three different types of joint.
16. Write and finish the following sentence: Ligaments connect ____________ to _____________.
17. Write and finish the following sentence: Tendons connect ____________ to _____________.
18. What is the function of synovial fluid?
19. Draw a labelled diagram of an arm showing the muscles, bones and joints.
20. Explain how the biceps and triceps work to bend the arm at the elbow.
21. What is the difference between a tendon and a ligament?
22. What is the function of antagonistic muscles?
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10.
11.
12.
13.
Eye
Joint
Kidney
Muscle