The circulatory system
(a) (i) State the type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 5
The circulatory system
(a) (i) State the type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart.
(ii) Explain how blood is prevented from flowing backwards in the he... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The circulatory system
(a) (i) State the type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 5 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
State the type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart.
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Answer
The type of blood vessel that carries blood to the heart is a vein, specifically the vena cava. The pulmonary veins also carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Step 2
Explain how blood is prevented from flowing backwards in the heart.
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Answer
Blood is prevented from flowing backwards in the heart by the presence of valves. These valves are located between the atria and ventricles as well as in arteries leading away from the heart. They only open one way, allowing blood to flow in the correct direction and closing to prevent backflow.
Step 3
Suggest why the heart can be referred to as a 'double-pump'.
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Answer
The heart is referred to as a 'double-pump' because it has two sides: the left side pumps oxygenated blood to the body, while the right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Each side functions as a separate pump, working in tandem to circulate blood throughout the body.