Book a tutor

Gas exchange in humans: exam questions

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

Question 1

A student counts her breathing rate at rest and after exercise. The results are shown in the table. Calculate the percentage increase in her breathing rate after exercise. Show your working.

Breathing rate
conditionbreathing rate / breaths per minute
at rest18
after exercise36
[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 1
  • increase = 36 − 18 = 18 breaths per minute (1)
  • 18 ÷ 18 × 100 (1)
  • 100% (1)

Question 2

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

(a) Name the structures in the breathing system where gas exchange takes place. [1] (b) Describe three features of the structures named in (a) that make them efficient gas exchange surfaces. [3]

[4 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • (a) alveoli (1)
  • (b) large surface area (1)
  • thin / walls one cell thick / short diffusion distance (1)
  • good blood supply / network of capillaries (1)
  • good ventilation with air / breathing (1)
  • Max 3 for (b)