Edexcel GCSE Biology

Heart structure & function

Edexcel GCSE Biology revision on Heart structure & function. Aligned to the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which blood vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the body back into the heart?

    • A) The pulmonary vein
    • B) The vena cava vein
    • C) The aorta artery
    • D) The pulmonary artery
    Show answer

    Answer: The vena cava vein

    Deoxygenated blood travels from the body tissues into the right atrium via the vena cava. In contrast, the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while the pulmonary vein returns oxygenated blood to the heart.

  2. Question 2

    Why is the muscular wall of the left ventricle significantly thicker than that of the right ventricle?

    • A) To withstand higher pressure for systemic delivery
    • B) To allow faster conduction for systemic delivery
    • C) To receive more oxygen for systemic delivery now
    • D) To store larger volumes for systemic delivery at
    Show answer

    Answer: To withstand higher pressure for systemic delivery

    The left ventricle must pump blood throughout the entire body, requiring much higher pressure than the right ventricle, which only pumps blood to the nearby lungs. This higher pressure necessitates a much thicker muscular wall.

  3. Question 3

    Which specific structure within the heart acts as a natural pacemaker to regulate the heart rate?

    Show answer

    Answer: pacemaker

    The natural pacemaker of the heart is known as the sinoatrial node, located in the wall of the right atrium. It produces small electrical impulses that spread through the muscle walls, causing the heart to contract in a coordinated way.

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