the heart and blood vessels

• What is the primary function of the heart?

  The heart pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system.
• How many chambers does the heart have?

  The heart has four chambers.
• What are the two upper chambers of the heart called?

  The two upper chambers are called atria.
• What are the lower chambers of the heart called?

  The lower chambers are called ventricles.
• What is the function of the right ventricle?

  The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for gas exchange.
• What does the left ventricle do?

  The left ventricle pumps blood around the rest of the body.
• What are the main blood vessels associated with the heart?


  • Aorta: carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body
  • Vena cava: carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart
  • Pulmonary artery: carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
  • Pulmonary vein: carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium
  • Coronary arteries: carry oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
• What is the function of the aorta?

  The aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body.
• What does the vena cava do?

  The vena cava carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.
• What is the role of the pulmonary artery?

  The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
• What does the pulmonary vein do?

  The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium.
• What is the function of the coronary arteries?

  The coronary arteries carry oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.
• How is the natural resting heart rate controlled?

  It is controlled by a group of cells located in the right atrium that acts as a natural pacemaker.
• What is the purpose of an artificial pacemaker?

  An artificial pacemaker regulates the heart rate of people whose natural pacemaker cells are not working effectively.
• What are the three different types of blood vessels in the body and their adaptations?

  • Arteries:
  • Thick walls with muscle and elastic fibers
  • Carry oxygenated blood under high pressure
  • Veins:
  • Thin walls
  • Carry deoxygenated blood at low pressure
  • Have valves to prevent backflow
• What structural adaptations do arteries have?

  Arteries have very thick walls containing muscle and elastic fibers that allow them to stretch and recoil.
• Why do arteries need to carry blood under high pressure?

  Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the cells and organs under high pressure.
• What are the characteristics of veins?

  Veins have thin walls that carry low pressure, deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
• How do valves in veins function?

  Valves in veins prevent backflow of blood and work with skeletal muscle to ensure blood returns to the heart.