Edexcel GCSE Biology

The circulatory system

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on The circulatory system. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 26 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 26)

  1. Question 1

    Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood AWAY from the heart?

    • A) Vena cava
    • B) Pulmonary artery
    • C) Aorta
    • D) Pulmonary vein
    Show answer

    Answer: Aorta

    Pathway: oxygenated blood enters the left atrium via the pulmonary vein -> left ventricle -> aorta -> body. Note the exceptions: pulmonary artery carries DEoxygenated blood (heart -> lungs), pulmonary vein carries oxygenated (lungs -> heart).

  2. Question 2

    How many chambers does a human heart have?

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    Answer: 4

    Right atrium and right ventricle handle deoxygenated blood (from the body, to the lungs). Left atrium and left ventricle handle oxygenated blood (from the lungs, to the body). The left side is more muscular - it pumps further.

  3. Question 3

    Arteries differ from veins because arteries...

    • A) Have valves and thin walls
    • B) Have thick muscular walls and high pressure blood
    • C) Carry only deoxygenated blood
    • D) Are smaller than capillaries
    Show answer

    Answer: Have thick muscular walls and high pressure blood

    ARTERIES carry blood AWAY from the heart (mostly oxygenated, except pulmonary artery). Thick muscular walls handle high pressure pulses. VEINS carry blood BACK to the heart (mostly deoxygenated, except pulmonary vein). Thin walls, low pressure, valves to stop backflow. CAPILLARIES: one cell thick - let substances exchange between blood and tissues.

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