b6 the heart and blood
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of b6 the heart and blood
- Apply b6 the heart and blood to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for b6 the heart and blood first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: The circulatory system
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Scientific calculator
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: b6 the heart and blood
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about b6 the heart and blood. Then check against the key terms: The circulatory system. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: The circulatory system.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: The circulatory system.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: b6 the heart and blood. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Biology because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: b6 the heart and blood. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Biology because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Describe the double circulatory system in humans. (3 marks)
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about b6 the heart and blood.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: b6 the heart and blood
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on b6 the heart and blood. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
The circulatory system: is a double circulatory system. The right side pumps blood to the lungs (pulmonary circuit) and the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body (systemic circuit). Blood transports oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide and waste products.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| From | Right ventricle | Left ventricle |
| To | Lungs | Rest of the body |
| Returns to | Left atrium | Right atrium |
| Blood type pumped out | Deoxygenated | Oxygenated |
| Blood type returning | Oxygenated | Deoxygenated |
| Pressure | Lower pressure | Higher pressure |
| Function | Carry blood away from the heart | Carry blood to the heart |
| Wall thickness | Thick walls (muscle and elastic tissue) | Thinner walls |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: Describe the double circulatory system in humans. (3 marks)
Answer: Humans have a double circulatory system with two separate circuits. The pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to pick up oxygen, and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The systemic circuit carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body to deliver oxygen, and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: b6 the heart and blood
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: The circulatory system. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: Describe the double circulatory system in humans. (3 marks)
Answer: Humans have a double circulatory system with two separate circuits. The pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs to pick up oxygen, and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium. The systemic circuit carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body to deliver oxygen, and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
Q2: Explain why the left ventricle has a thicker muscular wall than the right ventricle. (3 marks)
Answer: The left ventricle pumps blood around the whole body (systemic circuit), which requires high pressure to push blood through the extensive network of blood vessels. The right ventricle only pumps blood to the lungs (pulmonary circuit), which are close by and require less pressure. The thicker muscular wall of the left ventricle allows it to contract more powerfully and generate this higher pressure.
Q3: Compare the structure of arteries and veins. Explain how each is adapted to its function. (4 marks)
Answer: Arteries have thick walls containing muscle and elastic tissue to withstand the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart; they have a narrow lumen to maintain high pressure. Veins have thinner walls because blood is at low pressure; they have a wider lumen to allow easy blood flow; and they contain valves to prevent backflow of blood. Both carry blood but arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood to the heart.
Q4: Describe how red blood cells are adapted to carry oxygen. (3 marks)
Answer: Red blood cells contain haemoglobin which binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it at the tissues. They have no nucleus, creating more space inside for haemoglobin so more oxygen can be carried. Their biconcave disc shape increases the surface area for oxygen diffusion.
Q5: Explain how coronary heart disease develops and describe one treatment. (4 marks)
Answer: CHD develops when fatty deposits (cholesterol/plaque) build up on the inner walls of the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. This means the heart receives less oxygen. One treatment is a stent - a wire mesh tube inserted into the narrowed artery to keep it open and restore normal blood flow. Alternatively, statins are drugs that reduce blood cholesterol levels to slow the build-up of fatty deposits.
Q6: Name two substances carried in blood plasma and state where each is transported to. (2 marks)
Answer: Carbon dioxide - transported from body tissues to the lungs for excretion. Urea - transported from the liver to the kidneys for excretion. (Also acceptable: dissolved nutrients like glucose from the small intestine to body tissues; hormones from glands to target organs.)
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: b6 the heart and blood
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Extended Answer
Extended question: Extended Answer 6 marks: Explain how the structure of an artery, a vein and a capillary relates to its function. <div class="
Arteries carry blood at high pressure away from the heart, so they have thick walls containing muscle and elastic tissue to withstand and accommodate this pressure. The elastic fibres allow the artery to stretch and recoil as blood is pumped through. Arteries have a narrow lumen to maintain high pressure. Veins carry blood at low pressure back to the heart, so they have thinner walls with less muscle and elastic tissue. They have a wide lumen to allow easy blood flow at low pressure, and contain valves to prevent backflow of blood. Capillaries are the site of exchange between blood and tissues, so their walls are only one cell thick, creating a very short diffusion path for oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients. They have a very narrow lumen (one red blood cell wide) to slow blood flow and maximise exchange. Mark scheme: 1 mark for artery structure + function link; 1 mark for artery wall detail; 1 mark for vein structure + function link; 1 mark for vein valves; 1 mark for capillary structure + function link; 1 mark for one-cell-thick diffusion path
Exam Tips: Remember: Arteries carry blood Away from the heart (both start with A) | The pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein are exceptions to the usual rule - learn them: pulmonary artery = deoxygenated, pulmonary vein = oxygenated | Always explain WHY the left ventricle is thicker - it must pump to the whole body at high pressure | For blood components, learn the adaptations AND the function - both are often required | Red blood cells have NO NUCLEUS - this is a very common exam point | When asked about valves, say "prevent backflow" not "keep blood flowing" - be specific about direction | For CHD, distinguish between stents (treat narrowed arteries) and statins (reduce cholesterol) | Capillaries are
Common Errors: Watch Out! 1. Wrong: Arteries always carry oxygenated blood Correct: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs — direction (away from heart) defines an artery, not oxygenation 2. Wrong: The heart pumps blood to itself Correct: The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood — they branch from the aorta, not from inside the heart chambers
AO3 - Reasoning & Interpretation: Analysis and Evaluation Heart rate data was collected before and after exercise for two people: Resting HR (bpm) Immediately after exercise (bpm) After 2 min recovery (bpm) Person A 65 140 90 Person B 72 165 110 (a) Calculate the increase in heart rate for each person during exercise. (b) Which person is likely fitter? Explain your answer using the data. Answers: (a) A: 140 − 65 = 75 bpm increase. B: 165 − 72 = 93 bpm increase. (b) Person A is likely fitter — they have a lower resting heart rate (stronger heart muscle, larger stroke volume), a smaller increase during exercise, and a faster recovery rate (back to 90 vs 110 after 2 minutes).
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how b6 the heart and blood connects to another Biology topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of b6 the heart and blood
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in b6 the heart and blood?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: The circulatory system (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on b6 the heart and blood from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain b6 the heart and blood to someone else in your own words (10 mins)