ABPI

The Heart and circulation

Notes for teachers

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Contents
There are six chapters that describe the human circulatory system and disorders relevant to the
science curriculum.

The bodys transport system looks at the layout of the human circulatory system. It relates
the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries to their functions.

Blood pressure describes how blood pressure is measured and the effects of hypo- and
hypertension. It also looks at the effects of adrenalin on blood pressure and how high blood
pressure can be treated with beta-blocker medicines.

Heart structure and action shows the internal and external structures of the heart. It also
contains an animation that clearly shows the pumping action of the heart.

Supply and demand describes how the oxygen demand and heart rate changes during
different levels of excercise.

Heart risks looks at the causes and treatments of heart attacks, atherosclerosis, angina and
heart failure. Coronary artery bypass is described as a treatment and the risk factors that
contribute to heart disease are shown.

Modern medicines shows how aspirin, thrombolysins, beta-blockers and debrillators can be
used to treat cardiovascular disorders.

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ABPI

The Heart and circulation

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Notes for teachers

Curriculum links (using the COL keyword scheme)

Scientic enquiry
Application of science - generally
Using science to explain
Life Processes
Organs
Cell processes - generally
Humans & other animals
Circulatory system: heart
Circulatory system: blood
Human health: generally
Human health: diet
Human health: smoking
Human health: medicines

Web links
The Viagra story - angina
www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/viagra/viagch2pg2.html
Copper in health
www.schoolscience.co.uk/content/4/biology/copper/copch1pg2.html
British heart Foundation
www.bhf.org.uk/

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Age 14-16

ABPI

The Heart and circulation

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Notes for teachers

Using the resource

1- An introduction to the human circulatory system
Blood vessels
The electronic resource can be used to introduce students to the human circulatory system. Use Chapter
1 to introduce the idea of a transport system in a multicellular organism. This can be reinforced by
observations of veins on the students hands. A table lists the blood vessels and their properties. Roll
over the names to see their structures illustrated.
Another transport system can be illustrated by dyeing and dissecting vascular bundles in celery.
Blood pressure
Introduce students to the concept of blood pressure,
which is required to move the blood through the vessels.
Chapter 2 shows how blood pressure is measured.
If students are going to measure their own blood pressure
using a digital meter, the Measuring Blood Pressure
animation explains how the meter works and what the
readings will mean. Alternatively, the animation alone can
be used to illustrate how blood pressure is measured.
Click onto gure 2.2, Measuring Blood Pressure. This
simulates the read out from a digital blood pressure meter.
Clicking on start begins the simulation and represents
inating the pressure cuff to cut off blood ow in the arms
brachial artery. As the pressure in the cuff is released,
systolic pressure is displayed at the rst instance of blood
owing through the artery. The pressure cuff continues to
decrease until the unrestricted ow of blood which gives
the diastolic pressure. The meter also displays the heart
rate.
Explain that the systolic pressure is equivalent to the
pressure generated when the left ventricle is contracting
and the diastolic pressure is the pressure that remains in
the artery whilst the left ventricle is lling. This results in
the two pressure readings (120/80 mmHg).
The effects of adrenalin on heart rate and pressure can be seen using the animation in gure 2.3 The
animation allows students to add a beta-blocker to show how this can be used to lower high blood
pressure.
Students complete the worksheet Know your blood vessels to show how each type is specialised.
Heart structure and heart beat
The illustrations and animations in chapter 3 show the internal and external structures of the heart and
the sequence of contractions in a heartbeat.

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ABPI

The Heart and circulation

Notes for teachers

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Using the resource

Start by rolling over the highlighted words to identify the heart structures as shown in gure 3.2. Students can test
their knowledge using the quiz at the bottom of the page.
Show the animation of the heart by clicking on the link in gure 3.2. The animation starts with an external view
of a beating heart. View the internal structures by clicking on the circle in the right corner of the animation. Have
students observe how the valves open and close to ensure blood ows in the correct direction through the heart.
Pause the animation at any time by clicking on the pause symbol ( || ). Return to the external view by clicking on
the middle circle.
Ask students to look at the ultrasound scan of a beating heart shown in gure 3.1. Move the mouse over the key
word beating to start the sequence. Identify the two upper atria and the lower ventricles. Note how they beat in
unison, as was shown in the animation.
Students can complete the worksheet Know your heart to revise the heart structure and sequence of events in a
heart beat.
Heart rate and exercise
Illustrate the effects of exercise by having students view animation 4.2 in chapter 4.

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valve

Specialised
features

Student worksheet 1

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blood
ow

Blood pressure

The Heart and circulation

vein

capillary

artery

Direction of
blood ow

Complete the table to show the features of the different blood vessels.

Age 14-16

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Age 14-16

The Heart and circulation

Student worksheet 2

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ABPI

Know your heart

1. Complete the labels to show the internal structure of the heart.

2. Re-write these statements in the correct order to describe how blood ows through the heart.
Blood travels along the
pulmonary artery to the lungs
where it picks up oxygen.

Blood is forced into the left

ventricle when the left atrium
contracts.

The aorta supplies blood to the

head and body.

Blood is then pushed into the

right ventricle.

Blood enters the right atrium

from the vena cava.

The left ventricle contracts and

pushes blood out of the heart
and into the aorta.

Blood enters the left atrium

from the pulmonary vein.

Blood returns to the heart along

the pulmonary vein.

The right ventricle contracts and

pushes blood out of the heart
and into the pulmonary artery.

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