CAIE Biology IGCSE - Topic 9: Transport in Animals Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and concepts for CAIE Biology IGCSE Topic 9: Transport in Animals.

Angioplasty

The use of a catheter to insert a small deflated balloon into a blocked or narrowed artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, widening the artery. In some cases a stent may be inserted into the lumen.

Aorta

The artery that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.

Arteriole

A type of blood vessel that connects the arteries and capillaries.

Artery

A type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the tissues, under high pressure. The walls of the arteries contain thick layers of smooth muscle and elastic fibres.

Aspirin

A drug used to treat coronary heart disease by preventing the formation of blood clots in the arteries.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the veins and pump blood into the ventricles. The muscular walls of the atria are thinner than that of the ventricles.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

The valves found between the atria and ventricles. They prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles into the atria. There are two types of AV valves: bicuspid and tricuspid.

Bicuspid valves

The atrioventricular valves found between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Blood

A tissue containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Blood clotting

A defence mechanism that prevents excessive blood loss and the entry of harmful microorganisms. It involves platelets and the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin to form a mesh over the wound.

By-pass surgery

A surgical procedure involving the use of a blood vessel from another region of the body (e.g. leg, arm) to divert blood around a blockage in the coronary artery.

Capillaries

Thin, narrow blood vessels that connect the arteries and veins. They are the site of exchange of substances between the blood and the tissues.