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Functioning of the Heart: Extended

  • Heart's Functioning Overview: The heart pumps blood through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products.
  • Role of Valves: Valves in the heart ensure that blood flows in the correct direction, preventing backflow and maintaining circulation efficiency.
  • Cardiac Cycle Explanation: The cardiac cycle involves systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation) phases, facilitating blood movement.
  • Conduction System: The heart's electrical conduction system coordinates heartbeats, ensuring synchronized contractions for efficient pumping.
  • Coronary Circulation: Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood, vital for its own metabolic needs.
  • Cardiac Output Significance: Cardiac output represents the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute, a crucial factor in assessing cardiovascular health.
  • Factors Influencing Heart Rate: Various factors such as physical activity, stress, and hormonal changes can affect heart rate regulation.
  • Homeostatic Mechanisms: The body employs feedback mechanisms to maintain heart rate and blood pressure within optimal ranges for physiological balance.

Functioning of the Heart

  • Deoxygenated blood pathway: Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium through the vena cava.
  • Right atrium to right ventricle: Once the right atrium fills with blood, it contracts, pushing blood through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
  • Right ventricle to pulmonary artery: Contraction of the ventricle forces blood into the pulmonary artery through the semilunar valve, preventing backflow.
  • Blood flow to the lungs: The blood travels to the lungs, where it exchanges gases in the capillaries around the alveoli. This low-pressure system prevents capillary damage.
  • Oxygenated blood pathway: Oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary vein, entering the left atrium. It then passes through the bicuspid valve into the left ventricle.
  • Left ventricle to aorta: The left ventricle contracts strongly, pumping blood into the aorta to circulate throughout the body.
  • Aortic valve: The semilunar valve in the aorta ensures blood flows in one direction, preventing backflow into the heart.

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FAQs on Functioning of the Heart - Biology for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11

1. How does the heart pump blood to the rest of the body?
Ans. The heart pumps blood to the rest of the body through a series of contractions and relaxations of its chambers. When the heart contracts, it pushes blood out into the arteries, which carry oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
2. What is the role of the valves in the heart?
Ans. Valves in the heart ensure that blood flows in one direction and prevents backflow. The atrioventricular valves separate the atria from the ventricles, while the semilunar valves separate the ventricles from the arteries.
3. How does the heart regulate its own heartbeat?
Ans. The heart has its own electrical system that controls the heartbeat. The sinoatrial node generates electrical impulses, causing the heart muscles to contract. The atrioventricular node delays the impulse to ensure proper coordination of atrial and ventricular contractions.
4. What are the consequences of a blockage in the coronary arteries?
Ans. A blockage in the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack. This occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage to the heart tissue. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
5. How does exercise benefit the heart?
Ans. Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, and helps lower blood pressure. It can also increase the efficiency of the heart by improving its ability to pump blood and deliver oxygen to the body's tissues.
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