Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exam questions on Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting, with mark schemes. Covers the development of atherosclerosis, blood clotting and the link to heart disease and stroke.
Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting exam questions
These packs of real past exam questions cover the whole of Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health and Risk, including Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting. Work through every question on this sub-topic, then mark your answers against the mark scheme.
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Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards (Anki & Quizlet)
Every answer is written in mark scheme wording, so you learn exactly what examiners give marks for. Use them on Anki or Quizlet, then test yourself with the questions on this page.
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About Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting
This part of Topic 1 explains how cardiovascular disease develops. Questions often ask you to sequence the stages of atherosclerosis or of the clotting cascade.
What you need to know
- Atherosclerosis Damage to the endothelium, an inflammatory response, build-up of cholesterol and fibrous tissue into an atheroma, narrowing the artery and raising blood pressure.
- Blood clotting Damaged tissue releases thromboplastin, prothrombin is converted to thrombin, which converts soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin that traps platelets and red cells.
- Consequences A clot or atheroma blocking a coronary artery causes a heart attack; in the brain it causes a stroke.
- Positive feedback Atherosclerosis raises blood pressure, which causes more endothelial damage.
Common mistakes in Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting
- Writing that fibrin is soluble or that fibrinogen forms the mesh.
- Missing the role of calcium ions and thrombin in clotting.
- Describing atheroma as a blood clot.
Try three Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting exam-style questions
1. Describe the role of thrombin in blood clotting. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Thrombin is an enzyme that converts soluble fibrinogen (1) into insoluble fibrin, which forms a mesh that traps cells (1).
2. Explain how atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
An atheroma narrows a coronary artery (1), and a clot may form on it and block the artery (1), so heart muscle receives too little oxygen and dies (1).
3. Explain why atherosclerosis can increase blood pressure. (2 marks)
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Arteries become narrower and less elastic (1), so the heart must pump harder to push blood through them (1).
Topic 1: Atherosclerosis and Blood Clotting FAQs
What does this part of SNAB Topic 1 cover?
How atherosclerosis develops, the blood clotting process and how they cause CVD.
Do I need to learn the clotting cascade?
Yes, the key steps from thromboplastin to fibrin.
How is this examined?
Usually as sequencing and explain questions, often with data on CVD risk.
Revise this topic with flashcards: Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards, with mark scheme answers for Anki and Quizlet.
