The Kidney, Excretion and Osmoregulation · CAPE Biology Unit 2

40 past-paper questions on The Kidney, Excretion and Osmoregulation, part of Biosystems Maintenance, from every CAPE Biology Unit 2 paper on Quelpr.

1. 2(a)(i)4 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(a)(i)Identify the cross sections labelled I and II and for EACH, state ONE observable feature which justifies the given identification.
2. 2(a)(ii)1 mark· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(a)(ii)Comment on the main function of the region labelled III.
3. 2(a)(iii)3 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(a)(iii)In BOX II, make a detailed drawing of the cross section labelled II. NOTE: No title or magnification is required.
4. 2(a)(iv)2 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(a)(iv)Comment on the clinical significance of the presence of glucose in the urine.
5. 2(b)(i)2 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(b)(i)Define the term 'excretion'.
6. 2(b)(ii)2 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(b)(ii)Outline ONE reason why the main nitrogenous waste product excreted by mammals is urea rather than ammonia.
7. 2(b)(iii)5 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(b)(iii)Draw a diagram of the bordered structure shown in Figure 3 in the space provided below.
8. 2(b)(iv)2 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(b)(iv)The convoluted tubule shown in Figure 3 is adapted for reabsorption. Outline ONE adaptation of the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubule that allows the tubule to carry out its function of reabsorption.
9. 2(c)8 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(c)In the space below, construct an annotated flow chart to illustrate the mechanism by which the body responds to reduced blood water content (low water potential). Your flow chart should identify the effector, receptor,…
10. 2(c)(i)1 mark· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(c)(i)State ONE reason why there is a difference between the quantity of water in the glomerular filtrate and the quantity of water in the urine.
11. 2(c)(ii)9 marks· Biology · Unit 2 Q2 2(c)(ii)Explain the differences in the concentration of EACH of the following substances in blood plasma, glomerular filtrate and urine as shown in Table 2. You MUST present your response in complete paragraphs: Large proteins,…
12. 6(a)(iv)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2004 · Paper 2Explain why haemoglobin is NOT lost from the blood into the urine.
13. 6(b)10 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2006 · Paper 2What reactions does the liver perform on protein material to process it to the body's advantage?
14. 6(a)(i)6 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2007 · Paper 2Draw a large, labelled diagram illustrating the detailed structure of a nephron from a mammalian kidney.
15. 6(a)(ii)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2007 · Paper 2Outline the role of the Loop of Henle in water conservation.
16. 6(b)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2007 · Paper 2Discuss the effect of pregnancy on the functioning of the kidney.
17. 6(c)8 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2007 · Paper 2Discuss the clinical significance of detecting high glucose and protein levels in the urine sample of a 60-year-old patient.
18. 5(b)(i)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2009 · Paper 2Distinguish between 'ultra-filtration' and 'selective re-absorption' in relation to urine formation.
19. 5(b)(ii)6 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2009 · Paper 2With reference to THREE structural features, discuss how the proximal convoluted tubule is ideally suited to the function of selective re-absorption.
20. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 1Item 27 refers to the following diagram of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule of a nephron. If the diameter of the blood vessel is made smaller at X, a possible outcome is that
21. Q281 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 1Item 28 refers to the table below which shows volume of water reabsorbed in the different regions of the human kidney nephrons. The total volume of filtrate produced by the glomerulus is 180 litres per day. What is the…
22. 2(b)(i)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 2Using arrows labelled A, B, and C, indicate on Figure 4 where: (a) A – water leaves the loop of Henle by osmosis; (b) B – sodium ions and chloride ions leave the loop of Henle by diffusion; (c) C – sodium ions and…
23. 2(b)(ii)1 mark· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 2Account for the large number of mitochondria in the cells in the region of the loop of Henle labelled C.
24. 2(b)(iii)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 2Explain how the concentration of the urine of small mammals inhabiting a desert differs from that of small mammals inhabiting a moist tropical forest, and suggest ONE structural modification of the loop of Henle…
25. 2(b)(iv)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2011 · Paper 2Identify the regions of the nephron which may not have been functioning properly when protein and glucose are detected in a human urine sample.
26. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2012 · Paper 1Which of the following structural features prevents molecules, with a molecular mass greater than 68 000, passing from the glomerular capillaries into Bowman's capsule?
27. 5(b)(i)2 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2012 · Paper 2Outline the TWO MAJOR functions of the human kidney.
28. 5(b)(ii)6 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2012 · Paper 2Discuss the significance of ultrafiltration, selective re-absorption and secretion in relation to the two major functions of the kidney stated in (b)(i).
29. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2013 · Paper 1Item 27 refers to the following diagram of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule of a nephron. If the diameter of the blood vessel is made smaller at X, a possible outcome is that
30. Q281 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2013 · Paper 1Item 28 refers to the following illustration of a section of a kidney nephron, drawn by a student. The drawing above MOST likely represents the
31. 5(b)(i)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2013 · Paper 2Briefly describe the structure of a collecting duct and explain its role in kidney function.
32. 5(b)(ii)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2013 · Paper 2Explain how antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulates the function of collecting ducts.
33. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2014 · Paper 1If the diameter of the blood vessel is made smaller at X, a possible outcome is that
34. Q281 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2014 · Paper 1The region of the descending loop of Henle is
35. Q271 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2015 · Paper 1Which diagram represents the loop of Henle?
36. Q281 mark · multiple choice· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2015 · Paper 1The target cells of the antidiuretic hormone are cells of the
37. 5(a)5 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2015 · Paper 2Explain the mechanism for selective reabsorption of glucose from glomerular filtrate in the kidney, including the role of sodium ions (Na+), and discuss the clinical significance of glucose presence in the urine.
38. 2(b)(i)3 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2016 · Paper 2Identify the regions of the nephron labelled A, B, and C in Figure 3.
39. 2(b)(ii)4 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2016 · Paper 2Outline the process of urea formation and suggest a reason why mammals produce nitrogenous waste in the form of urea.
40. 5(a)8 marks· CAPE Biology Unit 2 · 2018 · Paper 2An athlete loses a considerable amount of water by sweating during training, after which he has a high intake of fluids. Explain the mechanism by which water balance is maintained in this athlete’s body.