Applied anatomy and physiology
Exam-style questions with answers for 3.1.1 Applied anatomy and physiology in AQA GCSE Physical Education (spec 8582). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below.
All questions and answers
Question 1 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Bones
Name the bones that form the knee joint. [2 marks]
Answer:Femur and tibia (1); with the patella sitting in front of the joint (1).Question 2 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Bones
Name the bones that form the elbow joint. [3 marks]
Answer:Humerus (1); radius (1); ulna (1).Question 3 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Bones
Name the bones that form the ankle joint. [3 marks]
Answer:Tibia (1); fibula (1); talus (1).Question 4 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Bones
Name the bones that form the shoulder joint. [2 marks]
Answer:Scapula (1); humerus (1).Question 5 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Skeleton
State four functions of the skeleton. [4 marks]
Answer:Any four from: support (1); protection of vital organs (1); movement (1); structural shape (1); mineral storage (1); blood cell production (1).Question 6 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Skeleton
Explain how the cranium protects a boxer. [2 marks]
Answer:The cranium is a flat bone (1); that protects the brain from blows to the head (1).Question 7 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Skeleton
Explain how the skeleton allows a sprinter to run. [2 marks]
Answer:Muscles attach to bones by tendons and pull on them when they contract (1); the bones act as levers moving at joints such as the hip and knee (1).Question 8 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Skeleton
Explain how blood cell production helps an endurance athlete. [2 marks]
Answer:Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow (1); more red blood cells carry more oxygen to the working muscles (1).Question 9 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Bones
Explain how long bones and short bones allow different movements. [2 marks]
Answer:Long bones, such as the femur, allow gross movements (1); short bones, such as those in the hand, allow finer controlled movements (1).Question 10 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscles
Name the muscle at the front of the upper leg and state its action at the knee. [2 marks]
Answer:Quadriceps (1); extends the knee (1).Question 11 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscles
Name the muscle at the back of the lower leg and state its action at the ankle. [2 marks]
Answer:Gastrocnemius (1); plantar flexion of the ankle (1).Question 12 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscles
Name the muscle that dorsiflexes the ankle. [1 mark]
Answer:Tibialis anterior.Question 13 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscles
Name two muscles that act on the shoulder. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: deltoid (1); latissimus dorsi (1); rotator cuffs (1); pectorals (1).Question 14 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscles
State the role of the rotator cuffs. [1 mark]
Answer:They rotate the arm at the shoulder and stabilise the shoulder joint.Question 15 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Synovial joints
State the function of synovial fluid. [1 mark]
Answer:It lubricates the joint, reducing friction.Question 16 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Synovial joints
State the function of ligaments. [1 mark]
Answer:They join bone to bone and stabilise the joint.Question 17 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Synovial joints
State the function of cartilage in a synovial joint. [1 mark]
Answer:It covers the ends of the bones, acting as a shock absorber and preventing friction between bones.Question 18 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Synovial joints
State the function of bursae. [1 mark]
Answer:Fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between bones and tendons.Question 19 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Synovial joints
State the function of the joint capsule. [1 mark]
Answer:It encloses and stabilises the joint.Question 20 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Joint types
Name the type of joint at the hip and the type at the knee. [2 marks]
Answer:Hip: ball and socket (1); knee: hinge (1).Question 21 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Movement
Name the movement at the ankle when a ballet dancer points her toes. [1 mark]
Answer:Plantar flexion.Question 22 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Movement
Name the movement at the shoulder when a swimmer moves the arm in a full circle. [1 mark]
Answer:Circumduction.Question 23 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Movement
Name the movement at the shoulder when a performer raises the arm sideways in a star jump. [1 mark]
Answer:Abduction.Question 24 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Antagonistic pairs
Explain how the biceps and triceps work as an antagonistic pair during a bicep curl. [3 marks]
Answer:On the upward phase the biceps contracts as the agonist (prime mover) (1); the triceps relaxes as the antagonist (1); this flexes the elbow (1).Question 25 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Antagonistic pairs
Name the antagonistic pair at the knee and state the agonist when the knee flexes. [2 marks]
Answer:Hamstrings and quadriceps (1); hamstrings are the agonist during flexion (1).Question 26 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscle contractions
Distinguish between isometric and isotonic contractions. [2 marks]
Answer:Isometric: the muscle contracts but stays the same length, with no movement, e.g. holding a plank (1); isotonic: the muscle changes length, causing movement (1).Question 27 · Spec 3.1.1.1 · Muscle contractions
Distinguish between concentric and eccentric contractions. [2 marks]
Answer:Concentric: the muscle shortens under tension, e.g. biceps on the up phase of a curl (1); eccentric: the muscle lengthens under tension, e.g. biceps on the down phase (1).Question 28 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Pathway of air
State the pathway of air from the mouth to the alveoli. [2 marks]
Answer:Mouth/nose, trachea, bronchi (1); bronchioles, alveoli (1).Question 29 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Gaseous exchange
State three features of alveoli that help gaseous exchange. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: large surface area (1); moist, thin walls one cell thick (1); short diffusion pathway (1); many capillaries with a large blood supply (1).Question 30 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Gaseous exchange
Explain how oxygen moves from the alveoli into the blood. [2 marks]
Answer:By diffusion from a high concentration in the alveoli to a low concentration in the blood (1); where it combines with haemoglobin in red blood cells to form oxyhaemoglobin (1).Question 31 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Blood vessels
Explain how arteries are suited to their function. [2 marks]
Answer:Thick, muscular, elastic walls (1); to carry blood at high pressure away from the heart (1).Question 32 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Blood vessels
Explain how veins are suited to their function. [2 marks]
Answer:Valves prevent the backflow of blood (1); and thin walls with a wide lumen carry blood at low pressure back to the heart (1).Question 33 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Blood vessels
Explain how capillaries are suited to gaseous exchange. [2 marks]
Answer:Walls are one cell thick (1); giving a short diffusion pathway (1).Question 34 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Vascular shunting
Explain how blood is redistributed to the muscles during exercise. [2 marks]
Answer:Vasodilation of arterioles supplying the working muscles increases blood flow to them (1); vasoconstriction of arterioles to the digestive system reduces blood flow there (1).Question 35 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · The heart
Describe the pathway of blood from the right atrium to the aorta. [4 marks]
Answer:Right atrium to right ventricle, then pulmonary artery to the lungs (1); gas exchange oxygenates the blood (1); pulmonary vein to the left atrium (1); left ventricle, then aorta to the body (1).Question 36 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Cardiac cycle
Distinguish between diastole and systole. [2 marks]
Answer:Diastole is when the heart chambers relax and fill with blood (1); systole is when the chambers contract and eject blood (1).Question 37 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Cardiac values
Define cardiac output and state its equation. [2 marks]
Answer:The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute (1); cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate (1).Question 38 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Cardiac values
A performer has a stroke volume of 70 ml and a heart rate of 72 bpm. Calculate cardiac output. [2 marks]
Answer:70 × 72 (1); = 5040 ml/min (5.04 litres/min) (1).Question 39 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Lung volumes
Define tidal volume and state what happens to it during exercise. [2 marks]
Answer:The volume of air inspired or expired per breath (1); it increases during exercise (1).Question 40 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Spirometer trace
State what a spirometer trace shows about expiratory reserve volume. [1 mark]
Answer:The amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a normal breath.Question 41 · Spec 3.1.1.2 · Breathing
Explain the role of the diaphragm in inspiration. [2 marks]
Answer:The diaphragm contracts and flattens (1); increasing the volume of the chest so air is drawn into the lungs (1).Question 42 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · Aerobic and anaerobic
Write the word equation for aerobic respiration. [1 mark]
Answer:Glucose + oxygen → energy + carbon dioxide + water.Question 43 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · Aerobic and anaerobic
Write the word equation for anaerobic respiration. [1 mark]
Answer:Glucose → energy + lactic acid.Question 44 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · Aerobic and anaerobic
Explain why a 100 m sprinter uses anaerobic respiration. [2 marks]
Answer:The event is high intensity and short duration (1); so energy is needed faster than oxygen can be supplied (1).Question 45 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · Aerobic and anaerobic
Give an example of a sporting activity that is mainly aerobic and explain why. [2 marks]
Answer:A marathon (1); it is long duration and low to moderate intensity, so enough oxygen can be supplied (1).Question 46 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · EPOC
Define EPOC (oxygen debt). [1 mark]
Answer:Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption: the extra oxygen taken in after exercise to recover.Question 47 · Spec 3.1.1.3 · Recovery
State three methods used to help recovery after exercise. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: cool down (1); manipulation of diet, e.g. rehydrating and taking in carbohydrates (1); ice baths (1); massage (1).Question 48 · Spec 3.1.1.4 · Immediate effects
State three immediate effects of exercise. [3 marks]
Answer:Any three from: hot and sweaty with red skin (1); increased depth and frequency of breathing (1); increased heart rate (1).Question 49 · Spec 3.1.1.4 · Short-term effects
State two short-term effects of exercise (24–36 hours). [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: tiredness or fatigue (1); light-headedness (1); nausea (1); aching muscles or DOMS (1); cramp (1).Question 50 · Spec 3.1.1.4 · Long-term effects
State four long-term effects of regular exercise. [4 marks]
Answer:Any four from: change in body shape (1); improved specific components of fitness, e.g. muscular endurance (1); hypertrophy of the heart (1); lower resting heart rate (bradycardia) (1); increased stroke volume (1); increased capillarisation (1).