IGCSE Biology Circulatory System Quiz

1. Which of the following types of blood vessels has the largest total surface area in a mammalian body?

• A. the aortas

• B. the arteries

• C. the capillaries

• D. the veins

2. The wall of an artery is thicker than that of a vein because the artery

(1) contracts rhythmically to transport blood forward

(2) possess valves to prevent the backflow of blood

(3) has to withstand high blood pressure

• A. (1) only

• B. (3) only

• C. (1) and (2) only

• D. (2) and (3) only

3. In blood donation, blood is collected from the vein instead of the artery because

• A. blood in the vein contains less oxygen.

• B. the vein has a larger lumen than the artery.

• C. the wall of the vein is thinner than that of the artery.

• D. the blood pressure if the vein is lower than that in the artery.

4. Which of the blood vessels carries/carry oxygenated blood?

• A. 1

• B. 4

• C. 1 and 2

• D. 3 and 4

5. All veins carry

• A. deoxygenated blood.

• B. blood rich in carbon dioxide.

• C. blood with a low glucose level.

• D. blood at a relatively low pressure.

7. Heart attacks are caused by

• A. a lack of iron in the diet.

• B. reduced blood supply to the heart muscle.

• C. an accumulation of lactic acid in the blood.

• D. breathing in air containing carbon.

7. The photomicrograph shows the appearance of some human red blood cells. The shape of the red blood cells allows them ...

• A. to carry more haemoglobin.

• B. to have closer contact with the tissue cells.

• C. to absorb and release oxygen more rapidly.

• D. to pass through the wall of the blood capillaries more easily.

8. Which of the following correctly shows the route of a red blood cell from the lung to the liver?

• A. lung -> pulmonary vein -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> aorta -> liver

• B. lung -> pulmonary vein -> right atrium -> right ventricle -> aorta -> liver

• C. lung -> pulmonary artery -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> hepatic artery -> liver

• D. lung -> pulmonary artery -> right atrium -> right ventricle -> hepatic artery -> liver

9. Cholesterol plaque is formed by the accumulation of cholesterol on the wall of arteries. The diagram below shows the type of operation which is used to treat the blockage of arteries by cholesterol plaque:

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

• A. The inflated balloon helps to widen the lumen of the artery.

• B. The larger the plaque in the artery, the lower the blood pressure.

• C. This operation may restore normal blood flow through the artery.

• D. Formation of the plaque in the artery is partly due to a low fibre, high fat diet.

10. Cholesterol plaque is formed by the accumulation of cholesterol on the wall of arteries. The diagram shows the type of operation which is used to treat the blockage of arteries by cholesterol plaque:

If the arteries of the heart are blocked by cholesterol plaque, a heart attack may occur because

• A. the rate of heart beat increases.

• B. less blood is pumped out from the heart.

• C. the heart muscle becomes fatigued easily.

• D. less blood is supplied to the heart muscle.