Anatomy and physiology — IGCSE Physical Education (0413) questions by topic
Anatomy and physiology questions ask you to define terms such as force, identify synovial joint types and agonist muscles used by a diving swimmer, name and classify bones such as the skull or thigh from a labelled skeleton diagram, and describe rib and diaphragm movement across a full normal breathing cycle. Identify, describe, state, explain and suggest are the top command words, so precise anatomical naming matters as much as description.
Marks range from 2 to 17 across the 72 real questions gathered here, from papers set between 2023 and 2025. Because these questions lean on labelled diagrams and completed tables, submit your answers for instant marking to check you are using the correct technical term for a joint, movement or muscle rather than a close but imprecise everyday description.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
One of the functions of the human skeleton is to provide shape and support. Identify two other functions of the skeleton.
Answer this question and get it marked →The photographs A, B and C show a performer completing the upward and downward phases of a bicep curl. Describe the antagonistic muscle action taking place in the upper arms from…
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete the table to describe how the ribs and diaphragm move during inhalation and exhalation during normal breathing. inhalation exhalation --- --- --- ribs ... ... diaphragm…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the human heart. Identify the following features of the heart by placing the letters A, B, C and D in the appropriate boxes on the diagram. A right atrium B…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Identify two types of movement that can occur at the ankle. 1 ... 2 ...
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a human skeleton. Complete the table to identify the bones labelled A, B and C and the classification of each bone. bone classification --- --- --- A B C
Answer this question and get it marked →The photograph shows an athlete performing a shot put. Identify the main muscle fibre type that would be used during a shot put. Justify your choice. muscle fibre type: ...…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the chest cavity. Identify the muscles labelled A and B that are involved in the mechanics of breathing. A ... B ...
Answer this question and get it marked →One long-term effect of regular aerobic exercise on the cardiovascular system is an increase in maximum cardiac output. Describe three other long-term effects of regular aerobic…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 13
The diagram shows the structure of the respiratory system. Structures A, B and C are labelled on the diagram. Identify each of the following structures: A: ... B: ... C: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →The photographs show the performance of an exercise from position A to position B. Joints X and Y and muscle Z are labelled. Identify each of the following: type of synovial joint…
Answer this question and get it marked →The photographs show two performers: A, a shot putter and B, a long-distance runner. Identify the main type of respiration being used by each performer. Justify your answers.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
State the name of each heart chamber from its description. description name of heart chamber --- --- contracts to pump oxygenated blood to all parts of the body [blank] receives…
Answer this question and get it marked →Sprinting in track and field athletics is usually performed at high intensity. Outline how energy is released during a sprint. Include a summary equation in your answer.
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams A and B show a swimmer diving off the starting blocks at the beginning of a race. Complete the table to show the type of synovial joint, the type of movement and the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows part of the pathway of air into the body. Identify the structures labelled A, B and C. A: ... B: ... C: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a cyclist during a road race. When cycling, forces such as air resistance will act on the cyclist. Complete the equation showing the concept of force. force =…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams show a performer completing an arm curl exercise which uses different types of muscle contraction. Diagram A shows start position (arms down), B shows top position…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
Hypertrophy is a long-term effect of regular exercise on the heart. Describe hypertrophy of the heart and explain how it may benefit performance. description: ... benefit: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete the table to show the name of each bone, the location of each bone, and the classification of each bone. name of the bone location of the bone classification of the bone…
Answer this question and get it marked →Red blood cells are a component of blood. They contain haemoglobin to transport oxygen. Identify two other components of blood. Describe a different function of each component.…
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe the difference between an isotonic muscle contraction and an isometric muscle contraction.
Answer this question and get it marked →Label the diagram to identify the structures A, B and C through which air passes when entering the lungs.
Answer this question and get it marked →Heart rate increases are one short-term effect of exercise. Describe three other short-term effects of exercise.
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a lever used in performing a calf raise exercise. Identify the class of lever shown in the diagram.
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 13
Red blood cells are one component of blood. Identify the substance found in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Answer this question and get it marked →The skeleton provides both shape and support for the body. Describe three other functions of the skeleton.
Answer this question and get it marked →Force can be applied through a push or pull. Use a named physical activity to describe an example of each of the following: physical activity: ... example of a push force being…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows parts of the respiratory system, with three structures labelled A, B and C. A points to a structure on the outside of the chest wall (rib), B points to a large…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
The diagram shows the structure of the heart, with blood vessels labelled A and B at the top, structure C inside, and chambers labelled X and Y. State the name of the blood…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the different stages of a javelin throw, from the run-up and wind-up (stage A) through to the release (stage B). Identify three forces that act on the javelin…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a tennis serve in three stages labelled A, B and C. Identify the type of movement taking place: from A to B at the performer's left knee: ... from A to B at the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the human skeleton, with three bones labelled A (skull), B (upper arm) and C (thigh). Complete the table to name and classify the bones labelled A, B and C. bone…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 12
The diagram shows a typical synovial joint with four structures labelled A, B, C and D. Complete the table to identify the labelled structures in the synovial joint. State a…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the structure of the heart with five structures labelled A to E. Identify the following structures: A: ... B: ... C: ... D: ... E: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →Muscles need a good supply of oxygen. Explain how the following characteristics of the alveoli assist gaseous exchange: large surface area: ... walls with a thickness of one cell:…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 13
The photograph shows a performer in a sprint hurdles race, with position A (the take-off / drive forward) and position B (clearing the hurdle). Joint X is at the hip and joint Y…
Answer this question and get it marked →A 200-metre sprinter may perform 10 minutes of jogging at the start of a warm-up so that their heart rate increases. Suggest three other short-term physiological effects of 10…
Answer this question and get it marked →State the names of the two main blood vessels that are attached to the right side of the heart. Describe two structural differences between these types of blood vessel. name of…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Identify which two different components of blood are described. component 1: consists mainly of water to allow substances to dissolve and be transported easily component 2:…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the human skeleton with bones labelled A, B, C and D. A is at the skull/head region, B is at the chest/ribcage/upper arm region, C is at the knee/thigh region, D…
Answer this question and get it marked →The graph shows the pulse rate of a fit performer and an unfit performer when completing the same activity with the same level of intensity. The x-axis shows time divided into…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a 100-metre sprinter at the start of a race, in a crouched position with hands on the starting blocks. Identify three different forces acting on the 100-metre…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams show a performer completing the downward phase of a dip on parallel bars. Diagram A shows the performer with arms extended and body upright. Diagram B shows the…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagrams show a sprinter starting a sprint race. Different joints are labelled in diagram B: right hip, right shoulder, right knee, right ankle. Diagram A shows the sprinter…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 12
The diagrams show two blood vessels. Identify the type of blood vessel shown in each diagram. Vessel 1: [blank] Vessel 2: [blank]
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a synovial joint. Identify structures A, B and C. A: [blank] B: [blank] C: [blank]
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the heart. Structures A, B and C are labelled. Identify structures A and C.
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete the table to show the agonist and antagonist muscles, the joint action and an example of an exercise for each movement. movement agonist muscle antagonist muscle joint…
Answer this question and get it marked →A squash player uses force when hitting the ball. Define the terms mass and acceleration.
Answer this question and get it marked →Complete the equation for aerobic respiration. glucose + → +
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 13
The diagram shows the structure of a typical synovial joint, with five components labelled A to E. Identify one type of synovial joint in the body.
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how each of the following muscle fibre types may benefit a long-distance cyclist: slow-twitch muscle fibres: ... fast-twitch muscle fibres: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a performer's breathing volumes on a spirometer trace. The vertical axis shows volume in millilitres (with markings at 0, 1200, 2300, 2800 and 6000) and the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Explain how the function of each of the following types of blood vessel is supported by their structure: arteries: ... veins: ... capillaries: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
Identify the main muscle fibre type that is used throughout a long-distance running race. Describe three different characteristics of this muscle fibre type. muscle fibre type:…
Answer this question and get it marked →The photograph shows a horse and rider jumping over a fence. Describe how balance is used by a horse rider when jumping over a fence.
Answer this question and get it marked →The photograph shows a long jumper in the air. Labels A, B, C and D point to different muscles on the athlete's body. State the names of the muscles located at A, B, C and D. A:…
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe two differences between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration.
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows part of the lower leg and foot, with labels A, B and C pointing to different bones. State the names of the bones at A, B and C. A: ... B: ... C: ...
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 12
Circle the characteristic that is not a characteristic of the alveoli. large surface area moist thick walls
Answer this question and get it marked →For each physical activity, complete the table to show different types of injury and a different description of the cause of the injury. physical activity type of injury…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other than muscle attachment for movement, identify three functions of the skeleton.
Answer this question and get it marked →Describe the function of the right ventricle in the heart.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 13
The photograph shows a rower performing the drive phase of rowing. Complete the table to show the joint movements that occur during the drive phase of rowing. joint movement ---…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows a lever system used when rowing. Identify the fulcrum, the resistance and the effort in the lever system shown.
Answer this question and get it marked →The photographs show performers using weight training. The performers are completing a shoulder press exercise. (i) Identify the muscle labelled A used in the shoulder press. (ii)…
Answer this question and get it marked →The diagram shows the circulatory system. Complete the table to show the missing information about the circulatory system. structure function --- --- right ventricle [blank]…
Answer this question and get it marked →Gaseous exchange occurs in the lungs. Describe what happens during gaseous exchange in the lungs.
Answer this question and get it marked →