B9 Transport in Animals
B9.1 Circulatory systems
1. Describe the circulatory system as a system of blood vessels with
a pump and valves to ensure one-way flow of blood
The circulatory system is a system of blood vessels with a pump and
valves to ensure one-way flow of blood
2. Describe double circulation in terms of circulation to the lungs and
circulation to the body tissues in mammals
Heart has four-chambered and a double circulation. The blood passes
through the heart twice
The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body
and pumps it to the lungs (pulmonary circulation). The left side of the
heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the
body (systemic circulation)
Blood is pumped towards the heart in veins and away from the
heart in arteries
The two sides of the heart are separated by a muscle wall called
the septum
The heart is made of muscle tissue which are supplied with blood by the
coronary arteries.
3. Explain the advantages of a double circulation
Blood travelling through the small capillaries in the lungs loses a lot of
pressure that was given to it by the pumping of the heart.
By returning the blood to the heart after going through the lungs its
pressure can be raised again before sending it to the body, meaning
cells can be supplied with the oxygen and glucose they need for
respiration faster and more frequently.
B9.2 Heart
1. Name and identify the structures of the mammalian heart, limited
to the muscular wall, the septum, the left and right ventricles and
atria, one-way valves and coronary arteries
Bicuspid
Pulmonary
Aortic Valve Valve or
Vein
Mitral
Arteries
2. Describe the functioning of the heart in terms of the contraction of
muscles of the atria and ventricles and the action of the valves
Superior Vena Cava: Deoxygenated Blood from body enters right
atrium
Right Atrium Contracts Opens Tricuspid valve Right Ventricle
Relaxes and Blood flows into it Tricuspid valve closes to prevent
back flow of blood.
Right Ventricle Contracts Opens Pulmonary valve Blood flows
into Pulmonary artery pulmonary valve closes to prevent back flow of
blood.
Pulmonary artery the blood flows into the lungs and gets oxygenated.
Pulmonary vein the oxygenated blood from lungs enters into left
atrium
Left Atrium Contracts Opens Bicuspid valve Left Ventricle relaxes
and blood flows into it Bicuspid valve closes to prevent back flow of
blood.
Left Ventricle Contracts Opens Aortic valve Blood flows into Aorta
Aortic valve closes to prevent back flow of blood.
Aorta: Oxygenated Blood from aorta moves in arteries.
Arteries all organs blood capillaries cells
3. Describe coronary heart disease in terms of the blockage of
coronary arteries and state the possible risk factors as diet, stress,
smoking, genetic predisposition, age and gender
1) The muscles of the heart are so thick that the nutrients and oxygen in
the blood inside the heart would not be able to diffuse to all the muscles
quickly enough.
2) The coronary arteries must constantly supply nutrients to heart
muscles so that it can keep contracting and relaxing.
3) If a coronary artery gets blocked – e.g. by a blood clot – the cardiac
muscles run short of oxygen, they cannot respire and obtain energy to
contract and the heart stops beating. This is called a heart attack or
cardiac arrest.
4. Investigate and state the effect of physical activity on pulse rate
Breathing rate can be measured by counting the number of
breaths per minute.
Heart rate can be measured by taking a pulse.
Breathing rate and heart rate can be measured before and after an
activity is performed and the results plotted on a bar chart.
Increased physical activity results in an increased heart rate and
breathing rate
Heart rate remains high for a period of time after physical activity has
stopped, there is a gradual return to resting heart rate.
5. Explain the effect of physical activity on the heart rate
Exercise causes an increase in pulse rate (heart rate).
When exercising our muscles contract more often and require more
energy.
Energy is made during the process of respiration.
As more glucose and oxygen is needed, cardiac output (blood
pumped per minute) and blood flow to the muscles increases.
The heart continues to beat faster to ensure that all excess waste
products are removed from muscle cells.
This causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Regular exercise is beneficial as it strengthens the heart muscle,
leading to an increased cardiac output even when at rest.
The activity of the heart may be monitored by:
ECG (electrocardiogram),
Pulse rate
Listening to sounds of valves closing using a stethoscope
B9.3 Blood vessels
1. Describe the structure and functions of arteries, veins and
capillaries. Explain how the structures of arteries, veins and
capillaries are adapted for their function
2. Explain how the structure of arteries and veins is related to the
pressure of the blood that they transport
1) Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
2) Capillaries are very tiny vessels carrying blood to cells in an organ.
3) Veins carry blood towards the heart.
B9.4 Blood
1. Identify red and white blood cells, as seen under the light
microscope, on prepared slides and in diagrams and
photomicrographs
Red and white blood cells as seen under a light microscope.
2. List the components of blood as: red blood cells, white blood cells,
platelets and plasma
3. State the functions of the following components of blood:
– Red blood cells in transporting oxygen, including the role of
haemoglobin
– White blood cells in phagocytosis and antibody production
– Platelets in clotting (details are not required)
– Plasma in the transport of blood c
ells, ions, soluble nutrients, hormones and carbon dioxide
Functions: Components of blood
Plasma: Transport of carbon dioxide, digested food (nutrients),
mineral ions, hormones, urea (waste) and heat energy
Red Blood Cells: Transport oxygen in the form of oxyhaemoglobin
around the body from the lungs to cells which require it for aerobic
respiration
White Blood Cells: Defend the body against infection by pathogens
by carrying out phagocytosis and antibody production
Platelets: Helps the blood to clot during an injury
