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Date November 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18N.3.SL.TZ0.19
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone TZ0 / no time zone
Command term Outline Question number 19 Adapted from N/A

Question

The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) shows a cell in the liver responsible for the breakdown of erythrocytes. The cells are found in the lining of the sinusoid walls.

Identify cell X shown in the diagram.

[1]
a.i.

Outline the role of the cell in recycling iron in the body.

[2]
a.ii.

Explain reasons for the dual blood supply to the liver.

[4]
b.

Markscheme

Kupffer cell ✔

a.i.

a. ingests red blood cells by phagocytosis ✔

b. splits the hemoglobin into heme «and globin»
OR
heme group broken down into iron «and bilirubin»
OR
hemoglobin broken down into iron ✔

c. releases iron for transport ✔

a.ii.

a. the dual supply is the hepatic artery and the hepatic portal vein ✔
Both needed

b. blood in «hepatic» artery provides oxygen to the liver «tissues» ✔

c. the «hepatic portal» vein carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract/intestines ✔

d. the «hepatic portal» vein carries blood rich in nutrients ✔

e. this allows the nutrients to be stored/processed
OR
sugar/glucose/glycogen is stored and released in response to hormones ✔

f. prevents osmotic imbalance due to absorbed nutrients in the blood ✔

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.i.
[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics) » D.3 Functions of the liver
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Option D: Human physiology » Option D: Human physiology (Core topics)
Option D: Human physiology

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