Y12 Biology Bridging Booklet

Topic 1 – Lifestyle, Health & Disease.

Q1. Atherosclerosis is responsible for many deaths that result from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
 The diagram below shows an external view of a human heart. The position of an atheroma (plaque) is
shown and a region of dead heart muscle is shaded.

(a) (i) Explain how the structure of the aorta relates to its function.

(3)
Thick walls to help sustain pressure and keep blood flowing.
Smooth lining to reduce resistance.
Semi - linar valve to prevent backflow.

(ii) Describe two differences between the structure of a capillary and the structure of a vein.
(2)
1. Veins have thicker walls than capillaries
2. Capillaries do not have valves but veins do

(b) (i) Suggest how the location of the atheroma results in the position and size of this region of dead
heart muscle.
 (3)
1. The area of the dead heart muscle will be in region normally supplied by the blood arteries
2. Muscles will die due to lack of energy
3. The atheroma is located near the end of the artery this means the area of dead muscle will be
small.
(ii) On the diagram below, shade an area to show the position and size of dead heart muscle, if the
atheroma occurred at position B.
(2)

Q2. Blood clots can form if the lining of an artery becomes damaged.

(a)  For each of the statements below, put a cross in the box that corresponds to the correct
statement about the blood clotting process.

(i)  A platelet
(1)

   A    is a protein that forms an insoluble mesh to trap red blood cells

   B    is an enzyme that converts prothrombin into thrombin

   C    is a cell fragment that releases thromboplastin

   D    is a cell fragment that releases fibrinogen

(ii)  Thrombin is
(1)

   A    an enzyme that changes fibrinogen into fibrin

   B    an enzyme that changes fibrin into fibrinogen

   C    an insoluble protein that forms a mesh to trap red blood cells

   D    a protein that sticks to collagen in damaged walls of arteries

(iii)  Fibrinogen is
(1)

   A    an insoluble protein that forms a mesh to trap red blood cells
    B    a soluble plasma protein

   C    an enzyme that converts prothrombin into thrombin

   D    a clotting factor released by platelets

(b)  A stroke can be caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD) affecting arteries leading to the brain.
Callum's family has a history of strokes.

(i)  Explain why a blood clot in an artery leading to the brain could cause a stroke.

1. The brain needs alot of energy to function so without this it could cause a stroke
2. There would be a reduced blood flow
3. Less aerobic respiration

(ii)  Suggest two lifestyle changes Callum could make to reduce his risk of suffering a stroke in later life.
(2)
1. Less salt
2. Regular exercise

Q3. The diagram below shows a section of a human heart and blood vessels P, Q, R and S.

(a) (i)  Place a cross in the box next to the letter that shows the pulmonary artery.
(1)
       A    blood vessel P

       B    blood vessel Q

       C    blood vessel R

       D    blood vessel S

(ii)  Place a cross in the box next to the letter that shows the sequence of blood flow through these
blood vessels.
(1)

            A    P → Q → S → R

            B    Q → P → R → S

            C    R → S → P → Q

            D    S → R → Q → P
(b)   Explain the difference in thickness of the wall of the right atrium and the wall of the right ventricle.
(3)
The right ventricle is thicker because blood is pumped out of the heart with greater pressure from this
chamber compared to the right atrium and they pump blood to different organs and right atrium has less
muscle.
(c)   During the cardiac cycle, the valves labelled Y and Z on the diagram may be open or closed.

For each stage of the cardiac cycle, if the valves are open, place a tick ( ) in the appropriate box and if
the valves are closed, place a cross ( ) in the appropriate box.
(2)

(d)   The diagram below shows a cross-section of an artery.

(i)  The diameter of the lumen of this artery is 1.9 mm.
Calculate the cross-sectional area of the lumen. Show your working.
The area of a circle is calculated using the formula πr2, where r is the radius of the circle and π = 3.14

0.95 x 0.95 - 0.9021x 3.14 = 2.833.

(2)

Answer = 2.83mm2
(i)  Explain how the structure of an artery is related to its functions.
(3)
1. elastic fibres allowing stretching to help with high pressure
2. smooth muscle, this can help exert pressure
3. narrow lumen to maintain high blood pressure