Heart
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) · Unit 9: Transport in animals · 12 flashcards
Heart is topic 9.2 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 9 — Transport in animals , alongside Circulatory systems, Blood vessels and Blood. In one line: Coronary heart disease involves the blockage of coronary arteries, often due to a build-up of fatty deposits. A major risk factor is a diet high in saturated fat, which contributes to plaque formation in the arteries.
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical). Past papers from 2022 to 2025 record 3 explicit questions on this topic — though the concept underpins many adjacent topics, so it is tested far more often than that figure suggests.
The deck below contains 12 flashcards — 1 definition, 6 key concepts, 1 process card, 2 application cards and 2 identification cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the definition card to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
Describe coronary heart disease and one possible risk factor
Coronary heart disease involves the blockage of coronary arteries, often due to a build-up of fatty deposits. A major risk factor is a diet high in saturated fat, which contributes to plaque formation in the arteries.
What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says
2026-2028 syllabus, in our wordsWhat the syllabus expects you to be able to do in this topic, in plain English. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks. For the exact wording, see the official syllabus (PDF).
- Identify Identify these parts of the mammalian heart on diagrams and images (only these): the muscular wall, the septum, the left and right atria, the left and right ventricles, the one-way valves and the coronary arteries.
- State State that arteries take blood away from the heart and veins bring it back to the heart.
- State State three ways to monitor heart activity: an ECG, the pulse rate, and listening to the sound of the valves closing.
- Investigate Investigate and describe how physical activity changes heart rate.
- Describe Describe coronary heart disease as coronary arteries becoming blocked, and state possible risk factors, including diet, stress, smoking, lack of exercise, age, sex and genetic predisposition.
- Discuss Discuss how diet and exercise can each help lower a person's chance of developing coronary heart disease.
- Identify Identify the atrioventricular valves and the semilunar valves of the mammalian heart on diagrams and images. Supplement
- Explain Explain why the muscle walls differ in thickness between (a) the left ventricle and the right ventricle, and (b) the atria and the ventricles. Supplement
- Explain Explain why it matters that the septum keeps oxygenated blood apart from deoxygenated blood. Supplement
- Describe Describe how the heart works in terms of the atrial and ventricular muscles contracting and the valves opening and closing. Supplement
- Explain Explain why physical activity changes heart rate. Supplement
Name the four chambers of the mammalian heart.
The four chambers are the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle. The atria receive blood, while the ventricles pump blood out of the heart to other parts of the body such as the lungs.
What is the role of the coronary arteries?
Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle itself with oxygenated blood. Blockage of these arteries can lead to coronary heart disease.
Describe how the activity of the heart can be monitored.
Heart activity can be monitored by using an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure electrical activity, checking pulse rate to measure heart beats per minute, and listening for the sounds of valves closing with a stethoscope.
How does physical activity affect heart rate?
Physical activity increases heart rate. This is because muscles need more oxygen and glucose, so the heart pumps more blood to deliver these substances more quickly, ensuring cells like those in the quadriceps get enough nutrients.
Describe coronary heart disease and one possible risk factor.
Coronary heart disease involves the blockage of coronary arteries, often due to a build-up of fatty deposits. A major risk factor is a diet high in saturated fat, which contributes to plaque formation in the arteries.
What are the roles of diet and exercise in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease?
A balanced diet, low in saturated fats and cholesterol, helps prevent plaque build-up in arteries. Regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improves blood flow, and helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing strain on the heart.
Distinguish between atrioventricular and semilunar valves.
Atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral) are located between the atria and ventricles, preventing backflow into the atria when ventricles contract. Semilunar valves (pulmonary and aortic) are located at the exit of the ventricles, preventing backflow into the ventricles when they relax.
Explain why the left ventricle wall is thicker than the right ventricle wall.
The left ventricle pumps blood to the entire body, requiring more force to overcome the higher resistance in the systemic circulation. The right ventricle only pumps blood to the lungs, a shorter distance with lower resistance. Therefore the left ventricle has a thicker and stronger muscle.
Why are the walls of the atria thinner than the walls of the ventricles?
The atria only need to pump blood a short distance into the ventricles. Ventricles need to pump blood further, either to the lungs (right ventricle) or the whole body (left ventricle), which requires stronger contractions and thus thicker walls.
What is the function of the septum in the heart?
The septum is a muscular wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. This separation prevents the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, ensuring that oxygen-rich blood is delivered efficiently to the body.
Describe the functioning of the heart in terms of atrial and ventricular contraction.
First, the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles. Then, the ventricles contract, pumping blood out to the lungs (right ventricle) and the rest of the body (left ventricle). Valves ensure blood flows in one direction, preventing backflow.
Explain the effect of physical activity on the heart rate using biological principles.
During physical activity, the body needs more oxygen and glucose for respiration in muscle cells. Chemoreceptors detect changes in blood pH, signaling the brain to increase heart rate. This delivers more oxygenated blood to active muscles like the biceps, supporting increased energy production.
Key Questions: Heart
Describe coronary heart disease and one possible risk factor.
Coronary heart disease involves the blockage of coronary arteries, often due to a build-up of fatty deposits. A major risk factor is a diet high in saturated fat, which contributes to plaque formation in the arteries.
Tips to avoid common mistakes in Heart
- ● Consolidate your knowledge of the heart's layout, specifically tracing the inflow and outflow of blood via vessels like the pulmonary vein and artery.
- ● Memorize the standard heart diagram: atria on top, ventricles below, valves in between.
- ● Sketch and label a diagram of the heart, paying attention to the location of the right ventricle and its role in pulmonary circulation.
- ● When describing the consequence of a defect, be precise about the specific physiological outcome.
More topics in Unit 9 — Transport in animals
Heart sits alongside these Biology decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers
These are the official Cambridge 0610 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.
Key terms covered in this Heart deck
Every term below is defined in the flashcards above. Use the list as a quick recall test before your exam — if you can't define one of these in your own words, flip back to that card.
Related Biology guides
Long-read articles that go beyond the deck — cover the whole subject's common mistakes, high-yield content and revision pacing.
How to study this Heart deck
Start in Study Mode, attempt each card before flipping, then rate Hard, Okay or Easy. Cards you rate Hard come back within a day; cards you rate Easy push out to weeks. Your progress is saved in your browser, so come back daily for 5–10 minute reviews until every card reads Mastered.
Study Mode
Space to flip • ←→ to navigate • Esc to close
You're on a roll!
You've viewed 10 topics today
Create a free account to unlock unlimited access to all revision notes, flashcards, and study materials.
You're all set!
Enjoy unlimited access to all study materials.
Something went wrong. Please try again.
What you'll get:
- Unlimited revision notes & flashcards
- Track your study progress
- No spam, just study updates