O Level Combined Science 5129 · Topic 7

Transport in humans: past paper questions

108 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: State, Draw, Use, Describe, Complete

Real questions on transport in humans

The newest 20 of 78 written questions, plus 30 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5129/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1[3]
Draw straight lines from the box on the left to three of the boxes on the right to make three sentences that are correct for veins. ... carry blood at a higher pressure than arteries. ... always carry deoxygenated blood. ... have a narrow lumen. Veins ... ... have a thinner wall than arteries. ... carry blood towards t...
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q10[3]
The boxes on the left contain the names of components of blood. The boxes on the right contain functions of components of blood. Draw one straight line from each component to its function. function lymphocytes to transport nutrients platelets to engulf pathogens phagocytes to help blood form a clot plasma to produce an...
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q13a[4]
Complete Table 13.1 by inserting the names of the structures labelled A, B, C and D in Fig. 13.1. Table 13.1 letter of structure in Fig. 13.1 A B C D name of structure
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5129/22 · October/November 2025 · Q13b[3]
By referring to the structures labelled A, B, and D on Fig 13.1, state three events which occur in the heart during one heartbeat.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[2]
2-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[3]
State the names of the parts of the digestive system labelled A, B and C on Fig. 1.1. A B
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q14a(iii)[1]
A student dissolves 1.5 g of solid ammonium nitrate in 100 cm 3 of distilled water to form a solution. Calculate the concentration of the solution. [1 dm 3 = 1000 cm 3 ] concentration = g / dm 3
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q14a(iv)[1]
Universal indicator turns yellow when added to the solution. Suggest the pH of the solution.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q14b(i)[1]
Give the molecular formula of ammonia.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q14b(ii)[1]
Explain why ammonia has a low boiling point.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q15[3]
Fig. 15.1 shows a method used to generate electrical power. Water flowing through the tunnel in the dam causes machine X to rotate. Machine X is connected to machine Y, which also rotates. dam water Y flow of water X Fig. 15.1 State the name of: this energy source • machine X •
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q16a[1]
State the name of the technique used to produce the results shown in Fig. 16.1.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q16b[1]
Use Fig. 16.1 to deduce which of the substances A, B, C or D are pure. substances and
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q16c[1]
Substance E does not move away from the baseline. State why substance E does not move away from the baseline.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q17a[1]
State the name of the instrument used to detect and measure nuclear radiation.
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5129/22 · May/June 2025 · Q17b[3]
Describe and explain the trend in the count rate shown in Table 17.1. Use the data in Table 17.1 and ideas about changes in the nucleus in your answer.
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5129/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4[5]
The boxes on the left contain the names of blood vessels that carry blood to organs. The boxes on the right contain the names of organs which receive blood. Draw one straight line from each box on the left to link the blood vessel carrying the blood to the organ receiving the blood. You must draw a total of five straig...
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5129/31 · October/November 2024 · Q4[7]
A student states ‘A person’s heart rate is higher after exercise than before exercise’. Plan an investigation to test whether this statement is correct. You are provided with a stop-watch and any other apparatus usually found in a school laboratory. Include in your answer: • • • • a brief description of the method and...
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5129/21 · May/June 2024 · Q10[3]
Draw three lines from the box on the left to three different boxes on the right to make three correct sentences about veins. … carry blood at a high pressure. … carry blood away from the heart. … contain valves. Veins … … have a thick wall. … have a wide lumen. … usually contain blood with an increased concentration of...
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5129/22 · May/June 2024 · Q6a[1]
is a gas at room temperature and pressure
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What examiners said

Candidates used words from a list to complete sentences about the circulatory system. Less able candidates often confused veins and arteries.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/21 Q5(a) (Cambridge)

Many candidates stated that the diagram showed a white blood cell. Candidates should know that engulfing pathogens is only carried out by specific white blood cells – phagocytes.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/21 Q5(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Candidates often gained a mark for recognising a vein and an artery. Very few used the term ‘hepatic’ even though this was part of the label in the diagram.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5129/22 Q2(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

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In the syllabus

7.1 Circulatory system

Describe the circulatory system as a system of blood vessels with a pump and valves to ensure one- way flow of blood
Identify on diagrams and photographs the structures of the mammalian heart, limited to: the muscular wall, the septum, the left and right ventricles and atria, atrioventricular and semilunar valves and coronary arteries
Explain the relative thickness: (a) of the muscle walls of the left and right ventricles (b) of the muscle walls of the atria compared to those of the ventricles
Describe the functioning of the heart in terms of the contraction of muscles of the atria and ventricles and the action of the valves in a heartbeat
Investigate and explain the effect of physical activity on heart rate
Describe coronary heart disease in terms of the blockage of coronary arteries and state the possible risk factors including diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress, smoking, genetic predisposition, age and gender
Discuss the role of diet and exercise in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease

7.2 Blood vessels

Name the main blood vessels that carry blood to and from the heart, lungs and liver, limited to: aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, hepatic artery, hepatic vein and hepatic portal vein
Describe, and identify on diagrams and photomicrographs, the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries, limited to: (a) relative thickness of wall (b) composition of wall (muscle and elastic tissue) (c) diameter of lumen (d) presence of valves
Explain how the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries is related to the pressure of the blood that they transport

7.3 Blood

Identify red and white blood cells (lymphocytes and phagocytes) as seen in diagrams and photomicrographs
State the functions of the components of blood: (a) red blood cells – oxygen transport (b) white blood cells – antibody production by lymphocytes and engulfing pathogens by phagocytes (c) platelets – clotting to prevent blood loss and the entry of pathogens (clotting mechanism is not required) (d) plasma (consisting mainly of water) – transport, limited to: blood cells, ions, glucose, amino acids, hormones, carbon dioxide, urea, vitamins and antibodies

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