Heart, Circulation & Blood Vessels (AQA GCSE Higher 2.2)

AQA GCSE (Higher) Biology - 2.2 Heart, Circulation & Blood Vessels. Complete flashcard set for AQA GCSE Biology (Higher Tier) Topic 2: Organisation. Covers heart anatomy, blood vessel structures, blood components, pacemaker cells, and treatments for cardiovascular diseases.

Pulmonary Artery

Artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to pick up oxygen

Vena Cava

Vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body into the right atrium

Right Atrium

Upper right chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the vena cava and pumps it to the right ventricle

Septum

A thick wall of muscle that separates the left and right sides of the heart, preventing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing

Right Ventricle

Lower right chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery

Aorta

Main artery that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle out to the rest of the body

Pulmonary Vein

Vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium

Left Atrium

Upper left chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary vein and pumps it to the left ventricle

Valves

Prevent the backflow of blood, ensuring blood flows through the heart in one direction only

Left Ventricle

Lower left chamber with a thick muscular wall that pumps oxygenated blood at high pressure around the entire body

Heart Wall (Myocardium)

Made of cardiac muscle tissue that contracts continuously to pump blood throughout the circulatory system

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels branching off the aorta that supply oxygenated blood and glucose directly to the heart muscle itself for respiration

Arteries

Vessels that carry blood away from the heart under high pressure. They have thick, muscular, elastic walls and a narrow lumen to withstand high pressure.

Veins

Vessels that carry blood towards the heart under low pressure. They have thinner walls, a wide lumen and valves to prevent the backflow of blood.

Capillaries

Microscopic, one-cell thick vessels that allow exchange of substances (e.g. oxygen, glucose and carbon dioxide) between the blood and tissues by diffusion.

Lumen

The central hole or cavity inside a blood vessel through which blood flows.

Elastic Fibres

Fibres in the artery walls that stretch and recoil to maintain high pressure and smooth out blood flow.

Plasma

The straw-coloured liquid component of blood that carries dissolved substances like glucose, amino acids, carbon dioxide, urea and hormones as well as blood cells.

Red blood cells

Biconcave disc cells containing haemoglobin that bind to oxygen and transport it from the lungs to tissues. They have no nucleus to fit more haemoglobin.

White blood cells

Cells involved in the immune system. Phagocytes engulf and digest pathogens; lymphocytes produce more antibodies and antitoxins.

Platelets

Small cell fragments without a nucleus that help blood clot at a wound site to prevent blood loss and pathogen entry.

1

Pulmonary Artery

2

Vena Cava

3

Valves

4

Right Atrium

5

Valves

6

Septum

7

Right Ventricle

8

Aorta

9

Pulmonary Vein

10

Left Atrium

11

Valves

12

Left Ventricle

13

Heart Wall

Coronary Heart Disease

Condition where layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them, reducing blood flow and limiting oxygen delivery to the heart

Stent

A metal mesh tube inserted into a narrowed coronary artery to keep it open and maintain blood flow.

Statins

Prescription drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels, slowing down the rate of fatty material buildup in the coronary arteries.

Heart Valve Replacement

The replacement of faulty, leaky, or stiff heart valves using either biological valves (from pigs/cows) or mechanical valves.

Artificial Pacemaker

An electronic device implanted under the skin that sends electrical signals to the heart to regulate an irregular heart rhythm.

Heart Transplant

A surgical procedure to replace a failing heart with a healthy donor heart (or an artificial heart as a temporary measure).