The heart basics
What is the main function of the heart?
To pump blood throughout the body.
What is circulation?
How many chambers does the heart have?
Four chambers
Name the three main types of blood vessels
Arteries, veins and capillaries
What is heart rate?
The number of times the heart beats per minute.
What type of muscle is the heart made of?
Cardiac muscle
Which side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
Name the four chambers of the heart
Left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle.
Which blood vessel carries blood away from the heart?
Arteries
How does exercise affect heart rate?
It increases to supply more oxygen and nutrients to muscles. Over time, exercise makes the heart stronger and more efficient
What is the name of the heart's bottom point?
The apex
Describe the difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation
Pulmonary circulation moves blood between the heart and lungs; systemic circulation moves blood between the heart and the rest of the body.
Name the four main heart valves
Tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, aortic valve, mitral valve
Which major blood vessels are connected to the heart and what are their roles?
Aorta: carries oxygenated blood to the body; vena cava: returns deoxygenated blood; pulmonary artery: sends deoxygenated blood to the lungs; pulmonary veins: bring oxygenated blood to the heart.
What is hypertension?
High blood pressure, when blood pushes too hard against artery walls.
What separates the right and left sides of the heart?
The septum
Explain how circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells and removes waste products
Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to cells through capillaries and picks up carbon dioxide and waste to remove them through the lungs and kidneys.
What is the purpose of the heart valves?
To keep blood flowing in one direction and prevent backflow.
Differentiate between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Give one example carrying each type.
Oxygenated blood is rich in oxygen, aorta, pulmonary veins. Deoxygenated blood has less oxygen and more carbon dioxide, pulmonary artery or vena cava.
What happens during a heart attack?
Blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, often by a clot, causing part of the heart muscle to be damaged or die.
Explain how the structure of the heart's walls differs between the atria and the ventricles and why
The ventricles have thicker muscular walls, especially the left ventricle to pump blood further, while atria have thinner walls since they only push blood into the ventricles.
List in order, the main pathway blood takes through the heart, starting at the right atrium.
Right atrium -> right ventricle -> pulmonary artery -> lungs -> pulmonary veins -
> left atrium -> left ventricle -> aorta -> body -> back to heart via vena cava
Explain how the valves and chambers work together to keep blood flowing in the correct direction
Atria contract -> push blood through open valves into ventricles -> ventricles contract -> valves close behind them -> blood exists through semilunar valves into arteries.
Arteries have thick, muscular and elastic walls to withstand high pressure from the heart. Veins have thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow as blood returns at a lower pressure. Capillaries are one cell thick, allowing easy exchange of oxygen, nutrients and waste between blood and body cells
List three lifestyle choices that help maintain a healthy circulatory system and explain how each helps.
Exercise strengthens the heart, healthy eating, avoiding smoking/drugs.