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Northern IrelandHealth & Social Care

A2 2: Body Systems and Physiological Disorders

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does the cardiovascular system work, and what happens when coronary heart disease develops?

The structure and function of the cardiovascular system: the heart, blood vessels and the cardiac cycle, and a physiological disorder of the system (coronary heart disease) including its causes, risk factors, effects and management.
A CCEA A2 2 answer on the cardiovascular system: the structure of the heart and blood vessels, the cardiac cycle and circulation, and coronary heart disease as a physiological disorder, including its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and management.
13 min answer →

How does the digestive system process food, and what happens in a disorder such as type 2 diabetes?

The structure and function of the digestive system: the organs of the gut, digestion and absorption of nutrients, and a physiological disorder linked to digestion and metabolism (type 2 diabetes) including its causes, effects and management.
A CCEA A2 2 answer on the digestive system: the organs of the gut, the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and a physiological disorder of metabolism (type 2 diabetes), including its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms and management.
12 min answer →

How does the respiratory system work, and what happens in a disorder such as asthma?

The structure and function of the respiratory system: the airways, lungs and gas exchange, the mechanism of breathing, and a physiological disorder of the system (asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) including its causes, effects and management.
A CCEA A2 2 answer on the respiratory system: the structure of the airways and lungs, gas exchange at the alveoli, the mechanism of breathing, and a physiological disorder (asthma, with reference to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including its causes, signs and symptoms and management.
12 min answer →

How are physiological disorders monitored, diagnosed and treated?

Monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of physiological disorders: the clinical measurements and investigations used (blood pressure, pulse, peak flow, blood glucose, ECG and spirometry), how disorders are diagnosed, and the lifestyle, medical and surgical treatments available.
A CCEA A2 2 answer on monitoring, diagnosing and treating physiological disorders: the clinical measurements and investigations (blood pressure, pulse, peak flow, blood glucose, ECG and spirometry), how readings are interpreted against normal ranges, and the lifestyle, medical and surgical treatments used.
12 min answer →