Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) exam questions on Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart, with mark schemes. Covers the properties of water, mass transport, blood vessels, the cardiac cycle and heart structure.
Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart exam questions
These packs of real past exam questions cover the whole of Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health and Risk, including Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart. 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: Water, Circulation and the Heart
This part of Topic 1 explains why large animals need a circulatory system and how the heart pumps blood. Expect labelled diagrams, cardiac cycle graphs and questions linking structure to function.
What you need to know
- Water A polar molecule and good solvent, so it transports dissolved substances in blood.
- Mass transport Large organisms have a small surface area to volume ratio, so diffusion alone is too slow and a circulatory system is needed.
- Blood vessels Arteries have thick elastic and muscular walls, veins have valves and a wide lumen, capillaries have walls one cell thick for exchange.
- Cardiac cycle Atrial systole, ventricular systole and diastole, with pressure changes opening and closing the atrioventricular and semilunar valves.
Common mistakes in Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart
- Saying valves open because the muscle pushes them, rather than because of pressure differences.
- Confusing arteries and veins on micrographs.
- Forgetting that the left ventricle wall is thicker because it pumps blood around the whole body.
Try three Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart exam-style questions
1. Explain why water is a good transport medium. (2 marks)
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Water is polar (1), so ionic and polar substances dissolve in it and can be carried in the blood (1).
2. Describe how the structure of an artery relates to its function. (3 marks)
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Thick muscular wall withstands high pressure (1); elastic tissue stretches and recoils to smooth blood flow (1); narrow lumen maintains pressure (1).
3. Explain why the atrioventricular valves close during ventricular systole. (2 marks)
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Ventricles contract so pressure in the ventricles rises above pressure in the atria (1), pushing the valves shut to stop backflow (1).
Topic 1: Water, Circulation and the Heart FAQs
What does this part of SNAB Topic 1 cover?
Water as a transport medium, the need for circulation, blood vessels, the heart and the cardiac cycle.
Do I need to interpret cardiac cycle graphs?
Yes. Be able to identify when valves open and close from pressure curves.
Which paper tests Topic 1?
Topics 1 to 4 are examined in Paper 1 and Paper 3.
Revise this topic with flashcards: Edexcel A Level Biology A (SNAB) 9BN0 Flashcards, with mark scheme answers for Anki and Quizlet.
