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Blood vessels: exam questions

7 questions, 19 marks. Write your answers on paper, then open each mark scheme.

Spec 9.3Questions and mark scheme (PDF)3 pages

Question 1

Which type of blood vessel contains valves?

  1. Artery
  2. Capillary
  3. Vein
  4. Aorta
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 1

Answer: C (1) Veins have valves

Question 2

Describe three differences between the structure of an artery and the structure of a vein.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • artery wall thicker than vein wall (1)
  • artery lumen narrower than vein lumen (1)
  • veins have valves, arteries do not (1)

Question 3

Supplement (what this means)Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

Explain how the structure of arteries and veins is related to the pressure of the blood they carry.

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 3
  • arteries carry blood at high pressure (1)
  • thick walls with muscle and elastic fibres withstand the pressure (1) allow narrow lumen maintains pressure
  • veins carry blood at low pressure so walls are thinner / lumen is wide (1)
  • valves in veins stop backflow (1)

Question 4

Supplement (what this means)Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

State the function of capillaries and explain how their structure is related to this function.

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 4
  • exchange of substances between blood and cells (1)
  • wall one cell thick (1)
  • short diffusion distance (1)
  • large network / permeable walls (1)

Question 5

Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

  1. Pulmonary artery
  2. Pulmonary vein
  3. Vena cava
  4. Aorta
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 5

Answer: B (1) Pulmonary vein

Question 6

Name the blood vessel that (a) carries blood from the left ventricle to the body, (b) carries blood to the kidney, (c) carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 6
  • (a) aorta (1)
  • (b) renal artery (1)
  • (c) pulmonary artery (1)

Question 7

Supplement (what this means)Supplement: only for the Extended papers (2 and 4). Core students can skip it. What the labels mean

Name the blood vessel that (a) brings oxygenated blood to the liver, (b) brings blood from the small intestine to the liver, (c) takes blood away from the liver.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 7
  • (a) hepatic artery (1)
  • (b) hepatic portal vein (1)
  • (c) hepatic vein(s) (1)
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