| Date | May 2013 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 13M.3.HL.TZ2.13 |
| Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
| Command term | Compare | Question number | 13 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
In a long-term study carried out in New Zealand, 9-year-old children were tested for asthma by checking if they had difficulty in breathing (wheezing). The children were then re-tested periodically until they were 26 years old. In addition, a measure was made of how well the lungs functioned by calculating the maximum volume of air exhaled in one second (VE1) as a percentage of the maximum volume of air inhaled (VI). The graph shows the lung function for males and females with or without asthma.
State the relationship between asthma and lung function.
Calculate the change in lung function of females with asthma between the ages of 11 and 26.
Compare the data for 26-year-old males and females.
Explain how the units used to measure lung function are useful in showing if a person suffers from asthma.
Markscheme
(children) with asthma have lower lung function / (children) without asthma have higher lung function
7 % (units needed) (accept answers in the range of 6 % to 8 %)
a. female lung function higher than male;
b. males and females both better (lung function) without asthma;
c. males with asthma have a greater reduction in lung function / greater difference between males and females with asthma than without asthma;
a. asthma causes constriction/congestion/inflammation of the airways/breathing tubes/bronchi/bronchioles;
b. units measure ability to exhale quickly/efficiently which could indicate asthma;
Examiners report
Answers to questions (a) to (c) were relatively good.
Answers to questions (a) to (c) were relatively good.
Answers to questions (a) to (c) were relatively good.
Candidates were not very clear about the symptoms of asthma and the use of the units in (d), but nevertheless many gained some marks. They were not able to relate the description of the units in the background information to the physiological effects of asthma. Some have the misconception that the bronchioles contract as muscles, or that asthma is due to a problem with gas exchange. Many thought that people breathe out less than they breathe in, and so asthma sufferers had a less efficient gas exchange.
