Human gas exchange: past paper questions
Real questions on human gas exchange
The newest 15 of 15 written questions, plus 23 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(i)[4]
Fig. 1.1 shows parts of the human gas exchange system and their functions. On Fig. 1.1, draw a line from each part to its function. One has already been done for you. part function intercostal muscles exchange gases goblet cells remove pathogens alveoli carry air to bronchi cilia change volume of thorax trachea release...
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(ii)[2]
State two features of alveoli that make them suitable for gas exchange.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[4]
Gas exchange changes the percentages of some gases in the lungs. The pie charts in Fig. 1.2 show how the percentages of gases in the lungs change during one breath. Complete the pie chart titles and the key which shows which gases are represented by different types of shading. air air key other gases Fig. 1.2
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2022 · Q2a(ii)[3]
State the percentage of oxygen in atmospheric air. % Explain how the percentage of oxygen in the air in the upper box will change as a person breathes in and out through the apparatus several times.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2021 · Q4a(i)[1]
State what will be seen to happen to the patient’s chest when air is forced into the lungs.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2021 · Q4a(ii)[2]
Name, in the correct order, the tubes through which air will travel from the patient’s mouth to the alveoli of the lungs.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2021 · Q4a(iii)[2]
The air forced into the patient’s lungs has different concentrations of gases compared to the air the patient would normally breathe in. State two differences in the concentrations of gases.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · October/November 2020 · Q2a[4]
Construct a line graph of the data on the grid below. Join your points with ruled, straight lines.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2020 · Q5b(i)[1]
Name the structures labelled B.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2020 · Q5b(ii)[4]
Describe the changes to the structures labelled B that would be caused by tobacco smoke and explain the possible effects on a smoker of these changes.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2020 · Q1a(i)[1]
Suggest what happens to the bubble of coloured liquid as the insects in the test-tube respire. Using the apparatus in the diagram, the student read the starting position of the bubble of coloured liquid. She recorded the reading from the left edge of the bubble. She left the apparatus for 60 minutes and then recorded t...
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2020 · Q1a(ii)[2]
The diagrams show the starting and final positions of the bubble. In the spaces provided, record the reading for the position of each bubble. 4 5 6 7 8 cm 4 5 6 left 8 cm right starting position bubble of coloured liquid start 7 final position after 60 minutes
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2020 · Q1a(iii)[2]
Calculate the distance the bubble moved in 60 minutes.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · May/June 2020 · Q1a(iv)[2]
Calculate the rate of movement of the bubble in mm per minute. Space for working. rate of movement of bubble mm per minute
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2019 · Q8a[7]
Name and describe each process that must take place in order to remove molecules of carbon dioxide from the blood of a person to the air in the atmosphere.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This question had a range of responses; most candidates were awarded 2 marks, for the correct concentration and the idea that the oxygen concentration in the air would decrease. The majority of candidates correctly identified the correct percentage. Many candidates went on to correctly identify that this would decrease, however some did not gain credit as they indicated a ‘decrease’ followed by a...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 5090/22 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
The majority of candidates scored the mark for reference to either ‘rises’ or ‘expands’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 5090/22 Q4(a)(i) (Cambridge)
A large proportion of candidates attained either full or partial credit. A small number of candidates did not gain credit as they did not identify the ‘tubes’ referenced in the question and instead made reference to organs such as the ‘lungs’ or the ‘heart’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2021, 5090/22 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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