The newest 12 of 12 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
Ina trial experiment at 20°C, the student counted 232 cardiac cycles in one minute. Calculate the time taken for one cardiac cycle. Give your answer in seconds and to two significant figures. time Cardiac CyCle
See it on the paper →Describe the role of the atrioventricular node (AVN) and the Purkyne tissue in the cardiac cycle.
See it on the paper →Name the valve labelled V on Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper →A person infected with HIV may develop a heart condition called cardiac tamponade. The pericardium is a thin sac surrounding the heart, as shown in the healthy heart in Fig. 4.2. When a person develops cardiac tamponade, the pericardium starts to fill with blood. This prevents the ventricles functioning efficiently. he...
See it on the paper →The heart of birds has the same structure as the heart of mammals. Compared with the heart of mammals, the heart of birds is larger in proportion to their body size. Suggest why the heart of birds is larger in proportion to their body size.
See it on the paper →State the part of the cardiac cycle that is directly initiated by the wave of excitation sent out by the sinoatrial node.
See it on the paper →Part of the control of the cardiac cycle involves the contraction of the ventricle walls after the walls of the atria have finished contracting. Outline how this control is achieved.
See it on the paper →Name the valves of the heart that open soon after the Purkyne tissue has received an impulse from the atrioventricular node.
See it on the paper →For each of the points E, F, G and H on Fig. 2.1, name the valve concerned and state whether the valve opens or closes. E F G H
See it on the paper →Explain how Fig. 2.1 provides evidence that the wall of the left atrium has a different thickness to the wall of the left ventricle.
See it on the paper →Describe the role of the SAN.
See it on the paper →In a healthy heart, the AVN provides the only pathway for electrical impulses to travel from the atria to the ventricles. The bundle of Kent is a structure found in the heart in a small number of people. Some electrical impulses do not pass through the AVN but travel directly from the atria to the ventricles through th...
See it on the paper →Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly calculated the time taken for one cardiac cycle. Limited responses • A few candidates incorrectly divided the number of cardiac cycles by 60 seconds.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9700/52 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
Many responses recognised that valve V was a semilunar valve or the aortic valve.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9700/22 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
Candidates were not expected to have learned about cardiac tamponade, and all reasonable suggestions were credited. Those who did well showed a clear understanding of how a healthy heart circulates blood throughout the body. It was important for candidates to be specific about the steps in the cardiac cycle and to make reference to phases, such as ventricular systole or contraction of the ventricl...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9700/21 Q4(c) (Cambridge)
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