A-Level Biology May/June 2024 Q3(c): The passage outlines the roles of blood vessels associated with the heart. Complete the…

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  The passage outlines the roles of blood vessels associated with the heart. Complete the passage by using the most appropriate scientific terms.

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  Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart via the pulmonary vein. When the ventricles contract, blood is forced into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Backflow into the ventricles is prevented by the closing of the semilunar valves. The heart muscle itself receives oxygen and nutrients from the blood supplied by the coronary arteries.

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  How the marks are awarded

  • B1 — Correctly identifying the 'pulmonary vein' as the vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
  • B1 — Correctly identifying the 'semilunar' valves as the valves that prevent the backflow of blood from the aorta and pulmonary artery into the ventricles.
  • B1 — Correctly identifying the 'coronary' arteries as the vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood.

  Common mistakes

  • Confusing the pulmonary vein with the pulmonary artery, forgetting that veins carry blood towards the heart.
  • Incorrectly naming the atrioventricular (or bicuspid/tricuspid) valves instead of the semilunar valves.
  • Writing 'vena cava' for the first blank, confusing the systemic and pulmonary circuits.
  • Using the general term 'cardiac artery' instead of the specific term 'coronary artery' for the heart's own blood supply.

  Examiner tip: Ensure you can accurately label a diagram of the heart from memory, including all four chambers, associated major blood vessels, and both sets of valves.

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