TOPIC 1.2.

2
A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
LESSON 1 - OBJECTIVES
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the main functions of the
bodies circulatory system.
• Understand the function of each key part of the circulatory system.
• Understand why the heart is referred to as a ‘double pump’.

GRADING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

C = You know the three main functions and key parts of the circulatory system.
B = Understand the two different systems of the circulatory system and know how these
differ and why.
A = You know, using the correct terminology, the flow of oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood around the body.

There are two place where gaseous exchange takes place, where are they and
why do they occur there?
 Main Functions of the Circulatory
System
TRANSPORT
• The circulatory system transports oxygen and nutrients to parts of
the body as well as removing waste or toxic products such as salt,
carbon dioxide and urea, water and heat, from the body.
CONTROL
• The circulatory system helps regulate/control body temperature.
The body is affected by changes of temperature, so keeping it in
an acceptable range keeps the body functioning properly.
PROTECT
• The circulatory system carries antibodies within the blood stream
to help fight bacteria/disease and platelets to help clot the blood
at the source of a cut to prevent other germs entering the body.
TASK
• Using the text books you should be able to label the heart.
DOUBLE PUMP
• Why is the heart known as a double pump?
• Left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body (cells and
working muscles)
• Right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
RESEARCH TASK
• Research using the internet and the text book what
the ‘pulmonary’ and ‘systemic circuits’ are within
the circulatory system. (Page 52-53 in your booklet)

TASK
In your own words describe in detail the flow of blood
around the human body starting in the right atrium?
You must include:
• The oxygenation of blood at each stage.
• The blood vessels it is passing through.
• Each section / valve it passes through in the heart.
• What happens at the body / body tissues?
From the right atrium deoxygenated blood is sent through the tricuspid valve
to the right ventricle. The deoxygenated blood is then sent out of the left
ventricle to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. The blood passes through
semi-lunar valves when leaving the heart to prevent blood returning. Once at
the lungs the carbon dioxide in the blood is exchanged for oxygen which allows
the blood to become oxygenated.

This oxygenated blood is taken back to the heart via the pulmonary vein. Once
at the heart in enters the left atrium before going through the mitral valve and
entering the left ventricle. The oxygenated blood is then sent at high pressure
through semi-lunar valves, down the aorta which takes the blood around the
body to the working muscles / body cells.

Once at the body the oxygen within the blood is given up and exchanged for
carbon dioxide. This means that the blood becomes deoxygenated. The
deoxygenated blood is then taken back to the right side of the heart via the
vena cava. Once at the heart it enters the right atrium and the process starts
again.
Homework
Using the information you have learnt today complete page 6 in
your booklet for homework.
Lesson 2 - Objectives
• Re-cap the flow of blood around the body.
• Understand important terms which relate to the flow of blood
around the circulatory system.
• Understand what blood pressure is and how it can effect your
body.

Grade Your Learning

C = Know the key terms in relation to blood flow around the
body.
B = Understand what is meant by each term.
A = Can relate the key terms to exercise.
STARTER
• Complete ‘STARTER’ on page 7 of your booklet using the
information from last lesson to help you.
TASK 1
• Page 52
• Draw a simple diagram of the
circulatory system.
• You must:
- label the 4 chambers of
the heart
- label the blood vessels
- Show the type of blood
being carried
- Explain what happens at
the body + lungs
 Important Circulatory System Terms
• Heart Rate:
The amount of times your heart beats per minute.
• Stroke Volume:
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart per beat.
• Cardiac Output:
The amount of blood pumped out of the heart per minute.

HEART RATE x STROKE VOLUME = CARDIAC OUTPUT

• Maximum Heart Rate:

The maximum amount of beats that the heart can beat at per minute. (220 – age)
Resting Heart Rate:
Your heart rate when the body is at rest. This is normally low as the body is
inactive.
• Recovery Rate:
The time taken for the heart to return to normal after exercise or any other
physical activity that causes the heart to beat faster.
Blood Pressure
• What is it?
The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the blood
vessels.
It is used as an indicator of how fit the circulatory system is.

• How is it measured?
A sphygmomanometer is the instrument that measures blood
pressure.
Readings are given in units of millimetres of mercury (mmHg).
There are 2 main readings taken which are SYSTOLIC and
DIASTOLIC.
SYSTOLIC PRESSURE
The maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts
(beats) and pushes blood out through the aorta into the body.

DIASTOLIC PRESSURE
The pressure that is exerted on the walls of the various arteries
around the body in between heart beats when the heart is
relaxed.

SYSTOLIC PRESSURE
DIASTOLIC PRESSURE

What is our ideal (perfect) blood pressure?

RESEARCH TASK
• Research high blood pressure using the internet (booklet page
11). Find out:
• What it is?
• What causes it?
• What can it cause?
• How can it be reduced?
Homework
• Using the information gained from the last two lessons answer
the exam style questions on page 12 and 13 of your booklet.
Lesson 3 –Objectives
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the different types of
blood vessels within the circulatory system.
• Understand each blood vessels different role and how they are
structured to assist them.
• Learn about blood and what it is made up of.

GRADING YOUR KNOWLEDGE

C = You know the three types of blood vessels and the THREE different cells that make up
blood.
B = You understand the function of each vessel and cell.
A = You understand why each vessel and cell is structured different.

Why is the thickness of the vessel walls so important for their roles
within the circulatory system?
STARTER
• Page 14 in your booklet
• Label the following aspects of the circulatory system (1 of you
in charge of the blue pen and the other the red pen) on the
diagram:
• Chambers and valves of the heart
• Blood vessels
• Oxygenation of blood
• Body / Lungs and what goes on here
Different Types of Blood Vessels
• What are the three main blood vessels within the circulatory
system:
- Arteries
- Veins
- Capillaries

Using the textbooks, research the THREE types of blood vessels

(page 15 + 16 in your booklets). You must:
- Explain there structure
- Explain what there main role is
- Draw and label a diagram of the blood vessel.

YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES!

Arteries
• Carry blood away from the
heart.
• Most arteries carry
oxygenated blood (oxygen rich).
• Which one doesn’t?
• Thick walls to withstand the
high blood pressure.
• Small / narrow luman so that the blood is forced around the
body at a high pressure.
Capillaries
• In Capillaries gaseous exchange
takes place.
• Which gases and where?
• Capillaries are one cell thick to
enable substances to enter and
leave the blood stream.
• Capillaries are used to help the body release heat e.g. During
exercise.
Veins
• Veins carry blood towards the
heart.
• Most veins carry deoxygenated
blood (carbon dioxide rich).
• Which one doesn’t?
• Thinner walls than arteries as the
blood is pumped through at a low pressure.
• Due to the low pressure veins contain valves to prevent the
backflow of blood.
• The contractions of our muscles help force the blood back to
the heart.
Function of Blood
PLASMA (55%)
• A straw coloured liquid which is 90% water.
• It helps the blood flow more easily.
• Plasma helps move glucose, salts and hormones amongst
other things around the body (the other 10%).
• During exercise the plasma is used by the body to transport
hormones such as endorphins, adrenalin and testosterone.
Function of Blood
RED BLOOD CELLS (45%)
• They are also known as ERYTHROCYTES.
• Small disk shaped cells that are used by the body to carry
oxygen to body cells and the working muscles.
• They are produced in the body marrow of long bones.
• Oxygen binds with haemoglobin to make OXYHAEMOGLOBIN.
WHAT MINERAL HELPS HAEMOGLOBIN?
• Once the blood gives up the oxygen to the cells / muscles it
then gets given carbon dioxide (a waste product). This process
is called gaseous exchange.
WHERE ELSE THEN DOE GASEOUS EXCHANGE TAKE PLACE?
Function of Blood
WHITE BLOOD CELLS (less than 1%)
• They are also known as LEUKOCYTES.
• There main function is to fight infection at the source, repair
damaged tissues after an injury and destroy bacteria.

PLATELETS (less than 1%)

• These are small fragments of larger cells.
• They are in charge of clotting blood both internally and
externally.
WHY IS CLOTTING IMPORTANT?
TASK
Complete the questions on page 18 of your booklet.

EXTENDED WRITING QUESTION

Turn to page 19 of your booklet.

Explain now the vessels and cells are structured differently and
how this has a positive impact on their roles within the
circulatory system?
Extension Work
1) Why is the left side of the heart more muscular and stronger
than the right?

2) During CPR why are chest compressions massively

important?

3) Blood is sent through veins at a much lower pressure than

arteries.
i) Explain what veins contain to help get the blood back
to the heart?
ii) Which other body system is used to help veins get
blood back to the heart and how does this work?
Lesson 4 - Objectives
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the immediate
changes that occur in the circulatory system after the onset of
exercise.
• Understand why these changes happen and what the benefits
are.
• Understand how a person’s lifestyle can affect their circulatory
system,

GRADE YOUR LEARNING

C = Know what immediate changes occur to the circulatory system during
exercise.
B = Understand how and why these changes occur.
A = Understand the benefits these changes have on the athlete.

Name 3 ways in which the circulatory system changes after the onset of exercise
which would help a 100m sprinter perform more effectively?
STARTER
• Complete the STARTER on page 20 in your booklets, filling in
the missing words within each sentence.

• Look back in you booklets to last lesson if you need help.

What is Cholesterol?
• Cholesterol is a lipid found in cell membranes and is used in
the production of hormones and bile.
• Cholesterol is transported in the blood by molecules called
lipoproteins, of which there are two types:
• high-density lipoprotein (HDL): often called ‘good cholesterol’
• low-density lipoprotein (LDL): often called ‘bad cholesterol’.
• Cholesterol levels depend on diet and genes, but high levels of
LDL have been linked to eating lots of saturated fats and few
mono/polyunsaturated fats.
 EFFECTS OF RECREATIONAL DRUGS ON THE
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

SMOKING
• Smoking causes blood vessels to contract which raises blood
pressure.
• It also reduces the red blood cells ability to transport oxygen.
WHAT EFFECT WILL THIS HAVE ON AN ATHLETE AND WHY?
• Smoking also lowers ‘HDL’ (good cholesterol) levels and
increases the tendency for blood to clot, which can cause
heart attacks and strokes.
ALCOHOL
• Also raises blood pressure.
 HOW STRESS EFFECTS THE
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
• Stress causes a persons blood pressure to rise as well as their
heart rate.
• This is dangerous as it can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
 Immediate Effects of Exercise
on the Circulatory System
HEART
• Heart Rate Increases
• Stroke Volume Increases
• Cardiac Output Increase
WHY? What benefit is this?

BLOOD PRESSURE
• Blood Pressure Increases
WHY? What benefit is this?

ARTERIES
• Arteries Widen
WHY? What benefit is this?
 Immediate Effects of Exercise
on the Circulatory System
HOWEVER AFTER TIME:
Muscles Start to Ache
• Due to the circulatory systems inability to get oxygen to the working
muscles.
• Performance begins to drop.

Lactic Acid / Oxygen Debt

• Lactic acid builds up during anaerobic activities (exercise where oxygen is
not used)
• This soon makes the muscles feel tired and sore.
• The oxygen debt is the amount of oxygen required to recovery and remove
all the lactic acid.
WHEN DO YOU THINK THIS OCCURS?
Blood Diversion / Blood Shunting
What is it?
When the blood is diverted during exercise away from areas of
the body which are not used during exercise. Instead the blood
is sent to the working muscles. E.G.

HOW WOULD THIS HELP DURING EXERCISE?

Look at the tables on page 23 and explain what they show,

stating how this will positively affect the body during exercise?
VASODILATION
WHAT IS IT?
• This is when capillaries open up and allow blood closer to the
skin.

WHAT DOES IT ALLOW US TO RELEASE DURING EXERCISE?

VASOCONSTRICTION
WHAT IS IT?
• This is when capillaries close to the skin close which forces
blood further under the skin.

WHEN WOULD THIS BE IMPORTANT?

TASK
Place the cut outs in the appropriate position on the chart on
page 25 of your booklet.
Homework
In your own words explain what immediately happens to the
circulatory system during exercise?

This will be marked like an EXTENDED WRITING QUESTION IN AN

EXAM (out of 5 marks)
Lesson 5 - Objectives
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the long term
changes that occur in the circulatory system after taking part
in regular exercise.
• Understand why these changes happen and what the benefits
are.

GRADE YOUR LEARNING

C = Know what long term changes are that occur to the circulatory system.
B = Understand the benefits of these changes.
A = You are able to link these changes to specific athletes and explain how
these will benefit them within their sport

James has been training for the London marathon for the past 6 months. What
changes will have occurred to his circulatory system and how will these benefit
him?
STARTER
• Page 27 in your booklet.

• Explain under each heading what happens with the onset of

exercise.
 LONG TERM EFFECTS
HEART:
The heart gets bigger and stronger. This means that it can pump
more blood around the body per beat / per minute.
What will this allow the perform top do?

Heart Rate Before and After Exercise:

What do you think will happen to your resting heart rate and
why?
How will the heart rate of a trained athlete during exercise
differ to the heart rate of a untrained athlete?
 LONG TERM EFFECTS
Recovery Rate:
An athletes recovery rate will be reduced so that they will be
able to recover from exercise more quickly.
What will this mean then?

Red Blood Cells

More red blood cells are produced by the body.
How will this help the athlete?

Capillaries:
More capillaries develop around the working muscles.
How will this help the athlete?
 TASK
• Using pages 164 – 166 in the textbook, make notes on how
DIET, WATER INTAKE and REST + RECOVERY effect the
cardiovascular system? (page 29 in your booklet)

• Using your booklets to help you go through the past exam

questions on pages 30 - 32
Extension Work
• Go onto the computers and log into ‘MOODLE’.
• Go to PE – GCSE – and under Topic 1.2.2 practice one of the
test on there.

HOMEWORK
Revise for topic test next week