Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 1BI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Explain how the structure of the heart and circulatory system is related…
Full specification wording
Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals: 8.8 Explain how the structure of the heart and circulatory system is related to its function, including the role of the major blood vessels, the valves and the relative thickness of chamber walls
The heart is a double pump.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1BI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 10
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The heart is a double pump. Deoxygenated blood returns in the vena cava to the right atrium, passes through a valve to the right ventricle, and is pumped through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns in the pulmonary vein to the left atrium, passes through a valve to the left ventricle, and leaves through the aorta to the body. Valves prevent backflow, keeping blood moving one way. The left ventricle wall is thicker than the right because it pumps blood around the whole body at higher pressure, while the right ventricle pumps only to the lungs.
What earns the marks
- The vena cava carries deoxygenated blood to the right atrium and the pulmonary artery carries it from the right ventricle to the lungs.
- The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood to the left atrium and the aorta carries it from the left ventricle to the body.
- Valves prevent the backflow of blood, keeping flow in one direction through the heart.
- The left ventricle wall is thicker than the right because it pumps blood around the body at higher pressure, whereas the right ventricle pumps only to the lungs.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Reversing the sides: the correct link is that the right side handles deoxygenated blood to the lungs and the left side handles oxygenated blood to the body.
Confusing the pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein.
Put it right: The artery carries blood away from the heart to the lungs, and the vein returns it.
Saying the right ventricle wall is thickest.
Put it right: The left ventricle wall is thicker because it pumps blood around the whole body.
Exam tips
- Trace the path of blood chamber by chamber and name the vessel entering and leaving each side.
- When asked about wall thickness, state which ventricle is thicker and why, linking it to the pressure needed.
- Check valve questions for the idea of preventing backflow rather than pushing blood forward.
Try the lesson
The start of the Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals: 8.8 Explain how the structure of the heart and circulatory system is related to its function, including the role of the major blood vessels, the valves and the relative thickness of chamber walls lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the left ventricle to the body?
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