New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

The human heart and double circulatory system

I can describe the function and structure of the human heart, and the importance of having a double circulatory system.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Higher

The human heart and double circulatory system

I can describe the function and structure of the human heart, and the importance of having a double circulatory system.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Substances are transported around the body in the blood.
  2. Blood is pumped through blood vessels by an organ called the heart.
  3. The heart is made of cardiac muscle, which continually contracts and relaxes to pump blood.
  4. The heart has four chambers with valves, which keep oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate.
  5. We have a double circulatory system; blood is pumped to the lungs for gas exchange then around the rest of the body.

Common misconception

Confusion between the names and functions of the different parts of the heart and the direction that blood moves through the heart.

The parts of the heart and their structure and function are dealt with separately and clearly, and followed up with quick checks plus longer and more detailed tasks.

Keywords

  • Circulatory system - The system which transports nutrients and waste around the body.

  • Heart - An organ which pumps blood around the body.

  • Cardiac muscle - Specialised tissue found in the heart which rhythmically contracts and relaxes together.

  • Chamber - A section of the heart, known as an atrium or ventricle.

  • Valve - Flaps in the heart which prevent backflow of blood.

Combine this lesson with a heart dissection demonstration or practical, if you can. However, be careful of sharp blades, and be mindful of students who might faint, feel sick, or not be able to participate due to religious reasons.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What main tissue is the heart made of?
Correct Answer: muscle
Q2.
True or false? The heart is an organ.
Correct answer: true
false
Q3.
What is the largest artery in the body?
Correct Answer: aorta
Q4.
What is the name of the arteries that supply the heart itself with blood?
An image in a quiz
corotid arteries
Correct answer: coronary arteries
colon arteries
Q5.
Which are the smallest blood vessels?
arteries
Correct answer: capillaries
veins
Q6.
Which organ system does the heart belong to?
Correct answer: circulatory
skeletal
endocrine
digestive
respiratory

6 Questions

Q1.
What type of muscle is the heart made of?
skeletal
Correct answer: cardiac
smooth
rough
Q2.
Which chambers of the heart contain oxygenated blood?
right artium
Correct answer: left atrium
right ventricle
Correct answer: left ventricle
Q3.
What separates the left and right side of the heart?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Septum
Q4.
How many times does blood pass through the heart for each time it circulates around the body?
Correct Answer: two, twice, 2
Q5.
Put the path of blood in the right order starting with the right atrium.
An image in a quiz
1 - right atrium
2 - right ventricle
3 - pulmonary artery
4 - pulmonary vein
5 - left atrium
6 - left ventricle
7 - aorta
Q6.
What is the role of valves?
keep blood under high pressure
stop oxygenated and deoxgenated blood mixing
Correct answer: prevent the backflow blood