KS4 Circulation

KS4 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.