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CAIE A-Level Biology AS 8.1 The Circulatory System Questions

Practise mammalian circulation questions by tracing heart vessels, identifying blood cells and vessels, and explaining capillary exchange and tissue fluid.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Biology 9700
Level
AS

Exam points

  • Define closed double circulation and trace pulmonary and systemic flow through heart, lungs and body.
  • Identify the aorta, venae cavae and pulmonary vessels from their heart chambers and directions of flow.
  • Distinguish arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins using wall, lumen, pressure or flow evidence.
  • Relate artery and vein wall tissues, lumen and valves to pressure, recoil, return and capillary exchange.
  • Interpret artery and vein plan diagrams in transverse or longitudinal section using layers and relative thickness.
  • Identify red cells, neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes in images; link features to transport or immune roles.
  • Explain how plasma water dissolves transported solutes and buffers temperature change.
  • Compare blood, tissue fluid and lymph; explain capillary filtration, reabsorption and lymph drainage.

Covered syllabus points

8.1.1—Closed double circulation8.1.2—Blood vessels8.1.3—Main blood vessels8.1.4—Blood vessel recognition8.1.5—Plan diagrams of arteries and veins8.1.6—Structure-function relationships8.1.7—Blood cells8.1.8—Water as main blood component8.1.9—Tissue fluid

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a heart defect that people can have from birth. People with VSD have a hole in the wall (septum) that separates the left and right ventricles.

What could happen in a person with VSD?
1 Blood will leak through the hole, mostly from right to left.
2 The volume of blood circulating through the lungs will be higher than in a person without VSD.

3 Less oxygen will be delivered to the body tissues.

A

1, 2 and 3

B

1 and 2 only

C

1 and 3 only

D

2 and 3 only

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

When a blood vessel is damaged it can result in problems in the body.
Which row identifies the blood vessel that could have been damaged?

blood is not being distributed to organs that need it

blood is not returning to the heart and is collecting in organs

blood surges mean that relatively constant blood pressure is not maintained

elastic artery

muscular artery

vein

elastic artery

vein

muscular artery

muscular artery

elastic artery

vein

muscular artery

vein

elastic artery

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Which blood vessels carry blood into the atria?
1 coronary artery
2 vena cava
3 pulmonary artery
4 pulmonary vein

A

1 and 2

B

1 and 3

C

2 and 3

D

2 and 4

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