Year 10 - Physical education
Blood vessels and blood cells
Anatomy and physiology: the cardio-respiratory system
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit will examine the structure and function of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It includes the correct anatomical names and location of different chambers, valves and blood vessels as well as the pathway of air through to the alveoli and how gaseous exchange occurs.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the structure and function of different types of blood vessels and blood cells in the circulatory system.
Key Notes
- Arteries carry blood away from the heart at high pressure. They have thick walls and a smaller lumen.
- Veins carry blood back to the heart. They have thinner walls and contain valves to prevent backflow.
- Capillaries facilitate the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.
- Red blood cells transport oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients.
- White blood cells fight infections whilst platelets enable blood clotting and plasma makes up the main blood volume.
Vocabulary To Learn
- arteries: blood vessels with a small lumen and thick muscular walls that carry blood away from the heart
- veins: blood vessels with a wide lumen and pocket valves that carry blood back towards the heart
- capillaries: thin (one cell thick) blood vessels that allow exchange of materials (oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients) between the blood and the tissues of the body
- red blood cells: oxygen carrying cells containing haemoglobin
- white blood cells: blood cells responsible for fighting infection
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Arteries always carry oxygenated blood.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart at high pressure. They have thick walls and a smaller lumen. Veins carry blood back to the heart. They have thinner walls and contain valves to prevent backflow.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'arteries'
blood vessels with a small lumen and thick muscular walls that carry blood away from the heart.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Arteries always carry oxygenated blood. Correction: The pulmonary artery is the only artery in the body that carries deoxygenated blood as it is pumped back to the lungs to be re-oxygenated. Consequently, the pulmonary vein is the only vein in the body that carries oxygenated blood.
More Lessons In This Unit
- A practical exploration of how the cardio-respiratory systems work together Study Guide
- A practical exploration of the pathway of blood Study Guide
- Air pathway from the atmosphere to alveoli and gaseous exchange Study Guide
- Blood vessels, blood cells and the vascular shunt Study Guide
- Double circulatory system and structure of the heart Study Guide
- Mechanics of breathing and interpretation of a spirometer trace Study Guide
- Structure of the cardiovascular system Study Guide
- The cardiac cycle Study Guide
- The mechanics of breathing Study Guide
- The relationship between heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output Study Guide
- The structure of the heart Study Guide
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