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Date November 2020 Marks available 1 Reference code 20N.3.HL.TZ0.22
Level Higher level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term State Question number 22 Adapted from N/A

Question

Blood pressure changes in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) fed a salt-supplemented diet during a two-and-a-half-year treatment period were compared to the blood pressure of those fed a normal diet. The graph shows the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (± standard deviation) before, during and after the treatment period.

[Source: Republished with permission of American Society for Clinical
Investigation, from The Journal of Clinical Investigation, O’Shaughnessy, K.M. and Karet, F.E., 113, 8, 2004;
permission conveyed through Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.]

Evaluate the effect of salt on blood pressure using the data in the graph.

[2]
a.

State the instrument used by doctors to measure blood pressure.

[1]
b.

Describe the mechanism by which the heartbeat is initiated.

[2]
c.

Markscheme

a. systolic pressure increases with salt in diet during treatment;

b. diastolic pressure is slightly higher/no change with salt during treatment
OR
diastolic pressure only changes towards the end of the period;

c. (blood) pressure goes back to normal after treatment
OR
salt causes increased (blood) pressure;

d. standard deviation values overlap therefore not statistically significant;

a.

sphygmomanometer/blood pressure monitor;

b.

a. sinoatrial node/SAN initiates contraction of atria;

b. SAN sends messages to the atrioventricular/AV node;

c. AV node initiates ventricular contraction;

d. through conducting fibres;

c.

Examiners report

The majority could evaluate that salt increased blood pressure, most comparing the effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

a.

Although strong candidates could state sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor, too many irrelevant or blank answers were seen.

b.

Most candidates did well in this question, strongest candidates distinguishing themselves by complete and very detailed answers.

c.

Syllabus sections

Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics) » D.4 The heart
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Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics)
Option D: Human physiology

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