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IGCSEBiology
Trial Class

Original practice · 5 questions · 15 marks · about 17 minutes

Respiration and Exercise Practice Questions

Biology editorial review is supported by the named review panel. Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.

These questions explore the relationship between physical activity, energy demand, and the body's respiratory responses.

Before you open the answers

  • Attempt every question without notes.
  • Show working for calculations and write complete biological statements.
  • Use the suggested time as a guide, not a strict limit on the first attempt.

These are original practice questions. They do not reproduce an official Cambridge paper or official mark scheme.

  1. Question 1

    Paper 4 Both 4 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain why both heart rate and breathing rate increase during exercise.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Muscles need more energy for contraction: respiration rate increases.
    2. More oxygen must be delivered to muscles: heart rate increases to pump blood faster.
    3. More carbon dioxide must be removed: breathing rate increases to exhale CO₂.
    4. Faster breathing brings more oxygen into the lungs for gas exchange.

  2. Question 2

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    A student measures their breathing rate before, during, and after exercise. Describe the expected pattern.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Before exercise: breathing rate is at resting level (about 12–20 breaths per minute).
    2. During exercise: breathing rate increases significantly.
    3. After exercise: breathing rate gradually returns to resting level: but stays elevated for a period (to repay oxygen debt).

  3. Question 3

    Paper 4 Extended 3 marks Difficulty 4/5

    Explain why a trained athlete recovers more quickly after exercise than an untrained person.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. A trained athlete has a larger, stronger heart: pumps more blood per beat (higher stroke volume).
    2. Better blood supply to muscles: oxygen delivered more efficiently.
    3. More efficient aerobic respiration: less lactic acid produced, smaller oxygen debt.

  4. Question 4

    Paper 2 Core 2 marks Difficulty 1/5

    State why the body needs more energy during exercise.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Muscles are contracting more frequently / more vigorously.
    2. More energy is needed for movement / muscle contraction.

  5. Question 5

    Paper 4 Both 3 marks Difficulty 3/5

    Explain the role of the blood in supplying muscles with what they need during exercise.

    Show model answer and marking guidance
    1. Blood carries oxygen (bound to haemoglobin in red blood cells) from the lungs to the muscles.
    2. Blood carries dissolved glucose (in plasma) from the digestive system or liver to the muscles.
    3. Blood removes waste products: CO₂ to the lungs and lactic acid to the liver.

Mark the set consistently

Award a point only when the idea is clearly present in the written answer. Correct any missed point in a complete sentence, then test the same skill on a different question several days later.

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