Excretion: past paper questions
Real questions on excretion
The newest 20 of 29 written questions, plus 26 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5090/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(iii)[1]
Name the capillary structures in the kidney that filter urea from the blood.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(i)[2]
Calculate the mean concentration of urea for the students in group Y. Give your answer to two significant figures. Space for working. mean concentration of urea = g per 100 cm 3 of urine
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(ii)[3]
Explain the difference in the mean concentration of urea for the two groups of students.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2025 · Q3b(iii)[2]
One of the students said: ‘To make a fair comparison, we should have made sure that the students in each group drank the same volume of water’. Explain why this student is correct.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(i)[2]
Describe the meaning of the term excretion.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4a(i)[3]
Identify each of the structures labelled P, Q and R in Fig. 4.1. P Q R
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Name the organ which contains many nephrons.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4a(iii)[1]
Name the organ that stores fluid S before it is released from the body.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
State why it is important that urea is removed from the blood in fluid S.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(ii)[5]
Use your knowledge of the function of a nephron to explain the concentration of each of the following components of fluid S. glucose protein
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(iii)[3]
Explain what would happen to the concentration of ions in fluid S if the person drank a large volume of water several hours before the sample was collected.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2022 · Q9a[5]
Describe the composition of human blood.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2022 · Q9b[5]
A blood test is one way of assessing a person’s health and fitness. After a small sample of blood has been taken, its composition can be analysed. Suggest and explain ways in which a blood test can help to determine a person’s health and fitness.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2022 · Q1c[2]
The thickness of layer D can change over several months. Suggest and explain one reason for a decrease in the thickness.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2022 · Q9a[4]
Compare the ureter and the urethra in terms of their functions in adult humans.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2022 · Q9b[6]
Explain how the process of dialysis maintains the correct chemical composition of the blood for a person with kidney disease.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2021 · Q3c(i)[4]
Use the data in the table to compare the chemical composition of urine and blood plasma.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2021 · Q3c(ii)[3]
A patient has kidney disease and is about to start dialysis treatment. Suggest and explain the concentration of urea in the sweat of the patient compared to that of a person who does not have kidney disease.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2020 · Q7a[3]
Define the term excretion.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · October/November 2020 · Q7b(i)[5]
Describe the structure of the dialysis membrane and explain how it functions.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates could list the components of human blood, in terms of the cell types and plasma. There were less references to the actual composition of plasma but marks of four out of five were quite common.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5090/21 Q9(a) (Cambridge)
This question required candidates to suggest a feature of blood that could be measured and to then indicate what aspect of health and disease it could provide information about. Some credit was given if candidates just listed the factors that could be measured but most did try to link them to a disease. References to glucose levels linked to diabetes, white blood cell count linked to infectious di...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5090/21 Q9(b) (Cambridge)
Although there was no requirement to name layer D a mark was available for giving a suitable name such as adipose tissue or fat cells. Fat, on its own, was not credited. Many understood that reducing food intake or an increase in exercise were ways of reducing stored fat. Only a few went on to explain that this was because fat was being respired to release energy.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 5090/21 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
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