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O-LevelBiologyTransport in Humans5090/22 · Oct/Nov 2017 · Q910 Marks

Describe and explain the features of a gas exchange surface.

  1. (a)Describe and explain the features of a gas exchange surface.[4]
  2. (b)Explain the effect of exercise on the breathing rate of a person.[4]
  3. (c)Living at high altitude increases the number of red blood cells in a person's blood. Suggest why athletes sometimes train at high altitude.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [4] 1 thin / one cell thick / short distance ;
  2. [4] 2 moist;
  3. [4] 3 large surface area;
  4. [4] 4 permeable;
  5. [4] 5 maximum / more / quick / efficient + diffusion / absorption / exchange;
  6. [4] 6 reference to dissolving / in solution ;
  7. [4] 1 faster / deeper + breathing;
  8. [4] 2 more + oxygen ;
  9. [4] 3 (oxygen) in lungs / inhaled / in blood ;
  10. [4] 4 muscle;
  11. [4] 5 faster/increased + respiration / oxidation of glucose ;
  12. [4] 6 aerobic;
  13. [4] 7 more energy + required / released ;
  14. [4] 8 more + carbon dioxide removed AW ;
  15. [4] 9 delays / prevents AW + anaerobic respiration;
  16. [2] 1 less oxygen in atmosphere (at high altitude) ;
  17. [2] 2 more + haemoglobin ;
  18. [2] 3 oxyhaemoglobin OR more + oxygen carried / supplied ;
  19. [2] 4 competitive advantage AW;

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About this question

Topic
Transport in Humans, O-Level Biology (syllabus 5090). Structured question, 10 marks.
Source
O-Level Biology, Oct/Nov 2017 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 9.

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