Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · The heart

The heart — practice question

The sinoatrial node (SAN) and atrioventricular node (AVN) play a vital part in regulating the cardiac cycle. The timing of atrial and ventricular systole and diastole has to be coordinated so that blood flows through the heart efficiently.
(a)[2]

Fig. 1.1 summarises blood flow through the right side of the heart over one cardiac cycle. Three boxes in Fig. 1.1 have not been completed. Fill in boxes 3, 5 and 7 in Fig. 1.1 using only the terms systole and diastole.

(b)[2]

Impulses released by the SAN pass to the AVN, where a short delay occurs. Referring to Fig. 1.1, explain why it is important for the control of the cardiac cycle that there is a short delay at the AVN after impulses have been sent out by the SAN.

(c)[3]

Blood pressure in the heart changes during the cardiac cycle. These changes bring about the opening and closing of the bicuspid and tricuspid (atrioventricular) valves and the aortic and pulmonary (semilunar) valves. Explain how changes in blood pressure make the tricuspid valve open, make the pulmonary valve open, and assist the flow of blood through the heart.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Correctly identifies atrial and ventricular systole/diastole at positions 3, 5 and 7

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