Biology Matters G.C.E.

'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Transport in Humans

Test Yourself 8.1 (page 140)

Large animals have numerous cells situated deep in the body, far away from the
external environment. Simple diffusion alone cannot bring enough oxygen and food
materials to these cells nor remove waste products with sufficient speed. A transport
system is needed to carry substances from one part of the body to another.

Investigation 8.1 (page 141)

Your drawing should look like the red blood cell in Figure 8.4.
Your drawings should look like the white blood cells in Figure 8.5.

Test Yourself 8.2 (page 144)

1. Red blood cells contain a red pigment and have a circular, biconcave shape.

2. The diameter of the red blood cells is decreased so that they can pass easily
through the lumen of capillaries; the red blood cells increase their surface area to
volume ratio to speed up absorption or release of oxygen; the bell shape slows
down the rate of blood flow, giving more time for gaseous exchange.

Test Yourself 8.3 (page 147)

(a) X belongs to group B, Y to group AB, and Z to group O.

(b) Antibody b in the serum reacts with antigen B on the red blood cells, causing
clumping of the red blood cells from X.
(c) Blood group O
(d) Blood groups A and AB
(e) Such a person’s red blood cells do not contain any antigens, so this person’s blood
can be donated to any blood group without causing clumping of the recipient’s red
blood cells.

Test Yourself 8.4 (page 153)

1. (a) To produce antibodies against foreign particles such as disease-causing

microorganisms
(b) To ingest and destroy foreign particles like bacteria
(c) To carry oxygen to all parts of the body
(d) To bring about blood clotting when tissue is damaged

2. Any organ from another person may be treated as a foreign body by the recipient’s
immune system. The recipient’s lymphocytes may respond by producing antibodies
to destroy the transplanted organ.

3. By matching the tissue of the donor and recipient as closely as possible, e.g. using
tissue donated from a relative, or by using immuno-suppressive drugs.

Investigation 8.2 (page 156)

3. Red blood cells

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Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 8

Test Yourself 8.5 (page 159)

Blood pressure in veins is low. Valves are needed to prevent the back flow of blood.

Test Yourself 8.6 (page 167)

1. Thick, muscular walls and presence of valves

2. The function of the left ventricle is to pump blood at high pressure around the body,
while the right ventricle only pumps blood to the lungs which are a short distance
from the heart, requiring lower pressure.

3. (a) Pulmonary veins

(b) Arterioles
(c) About 2 times
(d) Using a sphygmomanometer

Test Yourself 8.7 (page 169)

1. Abnormal artery
2. Diet – eating too much fatty food, rich in saturated fats and cholesterol
3. Flow of blood to the heart will be obstructed. Lack of oxygen may damage the heart
muscles, resulting in a heart attack.
4. - Blood flows from the left atrium to the right atrium.
- Mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood occurs.
- The right side of the heart has to work harder to pump the extra blood
to the lungs.
- Extra blood flowing into the right side of the heart may cause the right
side of the heart of be stretch and enlarged.
- The heart weakens and heart failure may occur.
- Extra blood pumped from the right ventricle to the lungs increases
blood pressure in the lungs.
- Shortness of breath occurs.
- Over time the heart may fatigue and works less efficiently.

Get It Right (page 171)

(a) False
White blood cell consists of lymphocytes and phagocytes.
(b) True
(c) False
The human body adapts to high altitudes by increasing the number of red blood
cells.
(d) False
Veins carry blood towards the heart.
(e) False
The left ventricle has thicket walls than the right ventricle.
(f) False
Atherosclerosis refers to a condition where fatty substances are deposited on
the inner surface of the coronary artery, narrowing the lumen of the arteries.

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Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 8

Let’s Review (page 171)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. A
2. D

Section B: Structured Questions

(a) A: Tissue
B: Blood plasma
(b) (i) Carbon dioxide
(ii) Glucose or amino acids
(c) Blood capillary.
– The wall is one cell thick.
– The Ppesence of narrow lumen with red blood cells arranged in a single file.

Section C: Free-Response Questions

1. Blood may be infected with disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria. The

patient’s body produces more white blood cells to combat the bacteria e.g. more
phagocytes to ingest bacteria and more lymphocytes to produce antibodies.

2. Refer to ‘The cardiac cycle’ in Section 8.6.

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