D3 Liver [88 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.3.SL.TZ0.18

(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

Kupffer (cell);

(a.ii) [1]

Markscheme

(hepatic) portal vein/venule;

“Portal” alone is insufficient

(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. they produce/secrete plasma proteins;

b. (the plasma proteins) are modified/secreted by the Golgi apparatus;

c. protein/globin is broken down into amino acids;

(c) [2]

Markscheme

a. both have walls 1 cell thick/same thickness

OR
both have a basement membrane;

b. sinusoids have pores/holes/fenestrations

OR
 sinusoids have a wider lumen;

2. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.3.SL.TZ0.18

(a) [4]

Markscheme

a. erythrocytes/red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 120 days ✔

b. erythrocytes/red blood cells taken in by phagocytosis ✔

c. «phagocytosis» by Kupffer cells ✔

d. hemoglobin splits into globin and heme groups ✔

e. iron removed / recycled✔

f. heme without iron becomes bile pigment/bilirubin ✔

g. globin/protein digested/hydrolysed to amino acids ✔

(b) [2]

Markscheme

Cause: Do not accept toxins or alcohol

Hepatitis / liver cancer / cirrhosis / parasite infection / excess production of
bile pigments/bilirubin / blocked bile ducts / gall stones ✔

Consequence:
yellowing/discoloration of skin/sclera/white of the eye / dark urine / grey
feces / brain damage in infants ✔
3. [Maximum mark: 6] 19N.3.HL.TZ0.20
(a) [1]

Markscheme

as age increases liver transplant due to cancer increases ✔

(b.i) [3]

Markscheme

a. hemoglobin taken up by Kupffer cells ✔ Do not accept confusion between erythrocytes

and hemoglobin.

b. broken down into heme and globins ✔

c. globin hydrolysed/broken down to amino acids ✔

d. iron removed from heme group

OR
heme broken down to form bilirubin/bile pigment ✔

(b.ii) [1]

Markscheme

a. storage of nutrients ✔

b. regulation of blood glucose levels ✔ e.g. glucose to glycogen and vice versa.

c. production/secretion of bile ✔ Do not accept production of bile pigments from hemoglobin

in the liver.

d. detoxification ✔

e. synthesis of plasma proteins e.g. albumin ✔

 f. synthesis and regulation of cholesterol ✔

Accept only the first answer if more than one are provided.

(c) [1]

Markscheme

cellulose/lignin/fibre
OR
bacteria ✔
4. [Maximum mark: 4] 19M.3.SL.TZ1.17
(a) [2]

Markscheme

a. hepatic artery ✔

b. hepatic portal vein ✔

(b) [1]

Markscheme

a. fenestrations/gaps/holes between cells ✔

b. walls are one cell thick ✔

(c) [1]

Markscheme

iron/glucose/«fat soluble» vitamins/glycogen ✔

5. [Maximum mark: 5] 19M.3.SL.TZ2.17
(a) [1]

Markscheme

hepatic artery ✔

(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. both produce pyruvate «from lactate»

OR
both produce CO2 and H2O «via acetyl CoA» ✔

b. hepatocytes produce glucose from lactate but mitochondria-rich cells

cannot ✔

OWTTE – eg: “only hepatocytes produce glucose” would be acceptable.

(c) [2]

Markscheme

a. detoxification ✔

b. production/secretion of bile ✔

c. conversion of cholesterol to bile salts ✔

d. production of plasma proteins ✔

e. nutrient storage ✔

f. glucose regulation «in blood» ✔

g. other function «eg deamination/transamination, conversion of ammonia
to urea» ✔

Only two functions are required.

If more than two functions are given, mark only the first two listed.
6. [Maximum mark: 7] 18N.3.SL.TZ0.19
(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

Kupffer cell ✔

(a.ii) [2]

Markscheme

a. ingests red blood cells by phagocytosis ✔

b. splits the hemoglobin into heme «and globin»

OR
heme group broken down into iron «and bilirubin»
OR
hemoglobin broken down into iron ✔

c. releases iron for transport ✔

(b) [4]

Markscheme

a. the dual supply is the hepatic artery and the hepatic portal vein ✔
Both needed

b. blood in «hepatic» artery provides oxygen to the liver «tissues» ✔

c. the «hepatic portal» vein carries blood from the gastrointestinal

tract/intestines ✔

d. the «hepatic portal» vein carries blood rich in nutrients ✔

e. this allows the nutrients to be stored/processed

OR
sugar/glucose/glycogen is stored and released in response to hormones ✔

f. prevents osmotic imbalance due to absorbed nutrients in the blood ✔

7. [Maximum mark: 10] 18N.3.HL.TZ0.18
(a) [1]

Markscheme

small intestine ✔

(b) [3]

Markscheme

a. hemoglobin «from red blood cells» broken down into heme and
globin ✔

b. iron removed from heme ✔

c. «remainder of» heme group transformed to bilirubin ✔

d. «surplus» cholesterol is converted to bile salts ✔

e. bilirubin and bile salts form bile ✔

(c) [1]

Markscheme

a. use as energy source «for cellular respiration»

OR
«long term» energy storage ✔

b. fat tissue for «heat» insulation ✔

c. protects axons by myelin sheath

OR
other function of fats ✔
 Accept first function written only

(d) [2]

Markscheme

a. microvilli/brush border to increase surface area ✔

b. numerous mitochondria for energy for active transport ✔

c. have transport proteins for specific nutrients ✔

eg: glucose, amino acids

d. single layer of cells/short distance allowing for diffusion ✔

Explanation must be included for each characteristic

(e) [3]

Markscheme

Award [1] for each correct row

Award the mark only for rows containing two correct answers, ie: no blanks accepted
8. [Maximum mark: 5] 18M.3.SL.TZ1.17
(a) [2]

Markscheme

Compare:

a. both HPV and HV deoxygenated blood

OR
both have high levels of CO2

Contrast:

b. HPV blood richer in nutrients/glucose/amino acids than HV

OR
HV blood lower levels of some toxins
OR
HV blood has higher levels of urea/cholesterol/fatty acids/glycerol/Fe2+

Accept converse.

One comparison and one contrast for two marks.

(b) [3]

Markscheme

a. Kupffer cells engulf ruptured red blood cells by phagocytosis

b. hemoglobin is broken down into component molecules

c. some iron (from hemoglobin) transported to bone marrow/stored in liver

d. protein component of hemoglobin converted to amino acids

e. rest of heme component forms bile pigments

9. [Maximum mark: 4] 18M.3.SL.TZ2.18
[4]

Markscheme

a. phagocytosis of erythrocytes by Kupffer cells

b. hemoglobin is split into globin and heme group

c. globin is hydrolysed to amino acids

d. amino acids used in protein synthesis

e. heme group broken down into iron and bilirubin

f. iron is (carried back to the bone marrow to be) used for production of new
erythrocytes

g. bilirubin is secreted into bile

In b. both globin and heme required.

In e. both iron and bilirubin required.

10. [Maximum mark: 7] 18M.3.HL.TZ1.20
(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

[Source: VectorStock]

Accept the vessel labeled (hepatic portal vein) as it ends in the liver and does not continue. A label anywhere
on the vessel or pointing to the arrow underneath it is acceptable.

(a.ii) [3]

Markscheme

a. hepatic artery carries oxygenated blood (from the aorta)

b. hepatic portal vein carries (deoxygenated) blood from digestive tract

c. blood from hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery mixes

 d. flows through sinusoids

e. hepatic vein carries blood away from liver/to heart

(b) [3]

Markscheme

a. hemoglobin absorbed by phagocytes/Kupffer cells

b. split into heme and globin

c. globin hydrolysed/broken down to amino acids

d. iron removed from heme group / heme broken down to form

bilirubin/bile pigment
11. [Maximum mark: 9] 18M.3.HL.TZ2.21
(a) [1]

Markscheme

the proportion/percentage increases «from 45 % to 70%»

(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. more erythrocytes/hemoglobin produced to compensate

b. low oxygen «partial» pressure «at high altitude»

c. lower oxygen saturation «of hemoglobin at high altitude»

d. less oxygen carried to tissues/hypoxia

(c) [3]

Markscheme

a. induced conformational change in the structure of the hemoglobin

molecule occurs

b. «this» hemoglobin has higher affinity for oxygen

c. saturation curve shifted to the left «because of low O2 levels»

d. «this» hemoglobin becomes more saturated at lower partial pressures of

oxygen

e. increased hematocrit/concentration of hemoglobin/red blood cells to

carry more O2
 Allow answers in an annotated diagram.

(d) [3]

Markscheme

a. phagocytosis of erythrocytes by Kupffer cells

b. hemoglobin is split into globin and heme group

c. globin is re-used in protein synthesis

d. heme group broken down into iron and bilirubin

e. iron is carried back to the bone marrow «to produce new

hemoglobin/erythrocytes»
12. [Maximum mark: 6] 17N.3.SL.TZ0.18
(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

«hepatic» portal vein

(a.ii) [3]

Markscheme

a. takes blood from intestine/spleen/pancreas/stomach to liver

b. carries digested food/nutrients/glucose

c. prevents glucose entering the general circulation

d. helps maintain osmotic potential of blood

e. allows toxins to be removed

[Max 3 Marks]

(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. sinusoids have open pores/fenestrations/discontinuous endothelium

and capillary endothelium is continuous/does not contain fenestrations

b. Kupffer cells are located inside sinusoids but not in capillaries

c. sinusoids larger in diameter than capillaries

Accept labelled diagrams

[Max 2 Marks]
13. [Maximum mark: 6] 17N.3.SL.TZ0.18
(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

«hepatic» portal vein

(a.ii) [3]

Markscheme

a. takes blood from intestine/spleen/pancreas/stomach to liver

b. carries digested food/nutrients/glucose

c. prevents glucose entering the general circulation

d. helps maintain osmotic potential of blood

e. allows toxins to be removed

[Max 3 Marks]

(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. sinusoids have open pores/fenestrations/discontinuous endothelium

and capillary endothelium is continuous/does not contain fenestrations

b. Kupffer cells are located inside sinusoids but not in capillaries

c. sinusoids larger in diameter than capillaries

Accept labelled diagrams

[Max 2 Marks]
14. [Maximum mark: 7] 17N.3.HL.TZ0.21
(a.i) [1]

Markscheme

bilirubin

(a.ii) [4]

Markscheme

normal production: [2 max]

a. red blood cells/erythrocytes/hemoglobin broken down «in the liver»

b. hemoglobin/heme «from red blood cells» is converted to bilirubin/bile

pigment

c. bilirubin/bile pigment transferred to bile and «normally» eliminated in

the feces

change with jaundice:

d. «in jaundice» liver does not excrete/eliminate bilirubin/bile pigments

e. caused by immaturity/dysfunction/disease «of the liver»

OR

blockage of bile ducts

OR

increase in red blood cells breakdown

f. therefore bilirubin/bile pigment accumulates in the blood

[Max 4 Marks]
(b) [2]

Markscheme

a. sinusoids have open pores/fenestrations/discontinuous endothelium

and capillary endothelium is continuous/does not contain fenestrations

b. Kupffer cells are located inside sinusoids but not in capillaries

c. sinusoids larger in diameter/wider than capillaries

[Max 2 Marks]

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