Practise 33 exam-style questions on The heart and blood vessels for AQA GCSE Biology. Write your answer as you would in the exam and get it marked in seconds against the mark scheme, point by point, with an AI tutor on hand if you get stuck.
33 questions
1–4 marks each
Instant marking
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20 questions, marked as you go
Sample questions with model answers
Here are 4 of the questions in this topic, each with a model answer, an explanation of why it earns the marks and the mark scheme an examiner would use.
Question 1
2 marks
An artificial pacemaker is used to correct irregular heart rhythms. Give one brief reason why a pacemaker might be fitted.
Model answer
to correct a very slow heart rate (bradycardia) or to correct abnormal rhythm (arrhythmia) so adequate blood is pumped
Explanation
Pacemakers provide electrical impulses to maintain rate and rhythm so the heart can pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
Mark scheme
1 mark
to correct slow heart rate / bradycardia
Accept 'irregular heartbeat' or 'arrhythmia'.
1 mark
so the heart pumps blood adequately
An explanation linking to adequate blood pumping required for the second mark.
Question 2
3 marks
The resting heart rate in beats per minute (bpm) is controlled by a group of cells in the heart. Name this group and state its location.
Model answer
the sinoatrial node (pacemaker) located in the right atrium
Explanation
The sinoatrial (SA) node, often called the pacemaker, sits in the wall of the right atrium and sends rhythmic electrical impulses that set the resting heart rate.
Mark scheme
1 mark
sinoatrial node
Allow 'SA node' or 'pacemaker'.
1 mark
pacemaker (if named earlier)
Alternate phrasing; do not double award if duplicate.
1 mark
right atrium/upper right of right atrium
Must indicate location in right atrium.
Question 3
3 marks
Explain how the structure of red blood cells is related to their function in transporting oxygen.
Model answer
biconcave shape provides larger surface area for diffusion; no nucleus increases space for haemoglobin; haemoglobin binds oxygen enabling transport
Explanation
The red cell's shape and lack of nucleus maximise haemoglobin content and surface area so oxygen can be efficiently taken up in the lungs and carried to tissues.
Mark scheme
1 mark
biconcave shape increases surface area for diffusion
1 mark
no nucleus / little organelles gives more space for haemoglobin
1 mark
haemoglobin binds oxygen allowing transport
Question 4
4 marks
Explain how blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer and what the systolic and diastolic pressures represent.
Model answer
a cuff is inflated to stop blood flow then slowly released; the first sound (or return of flow) gives systolic pressure and when sounds disappear (or Korotkoff sounds end) gives diastolic; systolic = pressure when heart contracts, diastolic = pressure when heart relaxes
Explanation
Blood pressure cuff blocks flow until released; systolic pressure is the peak pressure when the heart contracts and diastolic is the lower pressure between beats when the heart relaxes.
Mark scheme
1 mark
inflate cuff to stop blood flow then release to measure
Method description required.
1 mark
first sound/flow = systolic, disappearance = diastolic
Accept pulse palpation method variant.
1 mark
systolic = pressure during heart contraction
1 mark
diastolic = pressure during heart relaxation
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