Cardiovascular System and Circulation
Explain the structure and function of the heart, blood vessels and blood in transporting materials during exercise.
How to prepare for the written examination
Move from accurate theory to a scenario-specific mechanism, consequence, evidence and judgement. Complete all practical performance and NEA work only through authorised centre arrangements.
Core concepts
Concept 1
The heart generates pressure that moves blood through pulmonary and systemic circulation.
Exam cue: Trace the direction of blood through chambers, vessels and lungs or body tissues.
Concept 2
Arteries, veins and capillaries have structures suited to pressure, return flow and exchange.
Exam cue: Link vessel structure directly to its transport or exchange function.
Concept 3
Blood transports oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, heat and other materials relevant to exercise.
Exam cue: Use heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output only with the current board's conventions.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Defining arteries as vessels that always carry oxygenated blood.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a named sport, an undated current example or practical work that belongs to NEA.
Confusing pulmonary and systemic circulation.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a named sport, an undated current example or practical work that belongs to NEA.
Stating that capillaries pump blood.
Guardrail: Do not replace explanation with a named sport, an undated current example or practical work that belongs to NEA.
Memory anchors
Cardiac-output relationship
Cardiac output is the volume pumped per minute and depends on heart rate and stroke volume.
Artery direction
Arteries carry blood away from the heart under relatively high pressure.
Vein direction
Veins return blood toward the heart and commonly use valves to limit backflow.
Capillary exchange
Thin walls and a large network support exchange with tissues.
Pulmonary circulation
Blood travels between the heart and lungs for gas exchange.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Which chamber receives deoxygenated blood returning from the body?
Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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