Topic 2 Human Circulation Learning Objectives
2.2.2 The heart and blood vessels
Students should:
Know the structure and functioning of the human heart and lungs, including how lungs are
adapted for gaseous exchange.
Know that the heart is an organ that pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system.
Know that the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs where gas exchange takes place whereas
the left ventricle pumps blood around the rest of the body.
Be able to identify the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and coronary arteries.
(Knowledge of the names of the heart valves is not required.)
Be able to identify the trachea, bronchi, alveoli and the capillary network surrounding the alveoli.
Know that the natural resting heart rate is controlled by a group of cells located in the right atrium
that act as a pacemaker.
Know that artificial pacemakers are electrical devices used to correct irregularities in the heart
rate.
Know that the body contains three different types of blood vessels, Arteries, Veins and
Capillaries and be able to explain how the structure of these vessels relates to their functions.
Be able to use simple compound measures such as rate and carry out rate calculation for blood
flow.
2.2.3 Blood
Students should:
Know that Blood is a tissue consisting of plasma, in which the red blood cells, white blood cells
and platelets are suspended.
Know that Plasma transports proteins and other chemical substances around the body.
Know that Red blood cells contain haemoglobin which binds to oxygen to transport it from the
lungs to the tissues.
Know that White blood cells help to protect the body against infection.
Know that Platelets are fragments of cells which initiate the clotting process at wound sites.
Be able to recognise different types of blood cells in a photograph or diagram, and explain how
they are adapted to their functions.
Be able to observe and draw blood cells seen under a microscope.
Be able to evaluate risks related to use of blood products.
2.2.4 Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease
Students should:
Know that in coronary heart disease layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries,
narrowing them and reducing the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, resulting in a lack
of oxygen for the heart muscle.
Know that Stents are used to keep the coronary arteries open.
Know that Statins are widely used to reduce blood cholesterol levels which slow down the rate of
fatty material deposit.
Know that in some people heart valves may become faulty, preventing the valve from opening
fully, or the heart valve might develop a leak, understanding the consequences of faulty valves.
Know that faulty heart valves can be replaced using biological or mechanical valves.
Know that in the case of heart failure a donor heart, or heart and lungs can be transplanted.
Know that Artificial hearts are occasionally used to keep patients alive whilst waiting for a heart
transplant, or to allow the heart to rest as an aid to recovery.
Be able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of treating cardiovascular diseases by
drugs, mechanical devices or transplant.