Blood Vessels Questions

1. (a) The diagram below shows some mammalian blood vessels in cross section.

E F
vessel X

m a g n ific a t io n x 1 2

Vessel X is an artery. Its magnification is given on the diagram.

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Blood Vessels Questions

Calculate the actual width of the vessel in mm between points E and F. Show
your working and express your answer to the nearest whole number.

Answer = ………………………………… mm
[2]

(b) In this question, one mark is available for the quality of use and organisation of
scientific terms.

Describe how the structure of an artery is related to its function.

You may refer to features visible in the diagram above to help in your answer.

(Allow one lined page).

[6]
Quality of Written Communication [1]
[Total 9 marks]

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Blood Vessels Questions

2. (a) Fig. 1 shows the changes in blood pressure as blood flows through various parts
of the mammalian blood system.

25

20
pressure / kPa

15

10

0
A B C D E
re g io n o f b lo o d s yste m

Fig. 1

(i) Calculate the drop in blood pressure from the start of region B to the end
of region D. Show your working.

Answer =………………………… kPa

[2]

(ii) Explain what brings about the drop in pressure between B and D.

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[2]

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Blood Vessels Questions
(iii) Suggest why it is important that the pressure in region C is not as great as
the pressure in region A.

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[2]

(b) Fig. 2 shows the structure of part of a capillary.

Fig. 2

(i) State which of the regions A to E shown on Fig. 1 represents the

capillaries.

................................................................................................................
[1]

(ii) Select two structural features of capillaries and explain how each feature
helps with the exchange of materials between the blood and the tissue
fluid.

feature ....................................................................................................

role in exchange .....................................................................................

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feature ....................................................................................................

role in exchange .....................................................................................

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[4]
[Total 11 marks]

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Blood Vessels Questions

3. In this question, one mark is available for the quality of spelling, punctuation and
grammar.

The diagram below shows the internal structure of the mammalian heart and
associated blood vessels.

vena cava

septum
P urkyne tissue

Veins, such as the vena cava shown on the figure above, all have a similar structure.
Describe the structure of veins and explain how their structure is related to their
function.

(Allow one lined page).

[6]
Quality of Written Communication [1]
[Total 7 marks]

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Blood Vessels Questions

4. The diagram below shows the formation and drainage of tissue fluid in a mammal.

blood red blood cell

flow

capillary w all

R
S

cell in tissue

tissue fluid

(a) (i) Complete the table to give three differences between tissue fluid and
blood.

tissue fluid blood

[3]

(ii) Name the type of vessel labelled P in the diagram.

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Blood Vessels Questions
................................................................................................................
[1]

(b) In this question, one mark is available for the quality of written communication.

Describe how tissue fluid is formed at R and drained at S and T.

Credit will be given if you use information from the diagram.

(Allow one lined page).

[6]
Quality of Written Communication [1]

(c) Suggest what could happen in the tissues of a person if the drainage at S and T
was inefficient.

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[2]
[Total 13 marks]