OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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Study for the OCR GCSE Biology Exam. Use multiple choice questions and quiz flashcards with explanations and hints. Excel in your exams!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of artificial heart valves?

They are completely risk-free
They may cause damage to blood cells
They are silent during operation
They extend lifespan significantly

The correct answer is: They may cause damage to blood cells

The correct choice highlights a notable concern regarding artificial heart valves, which is that they may cause damage to blood cells. When artificial heart valves are used, particularly mechanical ones, the materials and design can create turbulent blood flow, leading to shear stress on red blood cells. This can result in hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells, potentially leading to anemia and other complications. The other options do not accurately portray the nature of artificial heart valves. While valves can indeed prolong life and improve quality of life for patients with heart valve issues, they do come with risks such as blood cell damage and the potential for clot formation. It's also important to note that no medical procedure is completely risk-free; all surgical interventions carry inherent risks and possible complications. Lastly, some patients may hear physiological sounds from artificial valves, depending on the type and the patient's anatomy, so they are not necessarily silent during operation.