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Migle Chvainickaite
12/09/2025
PE
cardiovascular system GCSE PE 🫀
321
•
12 Sept 2025
•
Fun with GCSE PE: All About the Cardiovascular System!
Migle Chvainickaite
@miglechvainickaite_dnyu
1 / 6
Types of Blood Vessels
The cardiovascular system organs include three main types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Each type has unique characteristics suited to its function:
Arteries:
- Transport oxygenated blood away from the heart (except for the pulmonary artery)
- Have thick, elastic, muscular walls to cope with high blood pressure
- Feature a small lumen, contributing to high pressure
Vocabulary: The lumen is the inner space of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel.
Veins:
- Transport deoxygenated blood towards the heart and lungs for re-oxygenation
- Have thinner, less elastic walls due to lower pressure
- Contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
Example: The pulmonary vein is an exception, carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Capillaries:
- Small blood vessels that connect arteries and veins
- One cell thick, allowing for efficient gas exchange
- Site where oxygen diffuses from the blood into tissues and carbon dioxide diffuses from tissues into the blood
Highlight: Capillaries are the type of blood vessel that directly exchanges substances with body tissues.
Vascular Responses During Exercise
Understanding how the cardiovascular system responds to exercise is crucial for answering GCSE PE cardiovascular system exam questions. Key points include:
- Vasodilation occurs in arteries going to working muscles and skin during exercise, increasing blood flow to these areas.
- Vasoconstriction happens in arteries going to inactive areas (e.g., stomach) during exercise, redirecting blood flow to where it's needed most.
Definition: Vascular shunting is the redistribution of blood flow during exercise, prioritizing working muscles and skin for cooling.
Highlight: These vascular responses are essential for explaining how exercise affects the cardiovascular system in GCSE PE.
Components of Blood
Blood consists of several components, each with specific roles crucial for athletic performance:
-
Red Blood Cells:
- Carry oxygen from lungs to muscles
- Remove carbon dioxide from muscles to lungs
- Contain hemoglobin for oxygen binding
-
White Blood Cells:
- Defend against disease and prevent infection
- Crucial for maintaining health and recovery
-
Platelets:
- Essential for blood clotting
- Stop bleeding after injury
-
Plasma:
- Pale, straw-colored liquid
- Helps blood flow and transport substances
Highlight: Understanding blood components is vital for explaining the long-term effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system in GCSE PE.
Structure and Functions of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system's structure is intricately designed to support its functions:
Structure:
- Heart chambers: Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
- Valves: Tricuspid, bicuspid, semi-lunar valves
- Major blood vessels: Vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, aorta
Functions:
- Transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients
- Clotting of open wounds
- Regulation of body temperature
Definition: Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, a key concept in GCSE PE cardiovascular system AQA exams.
Blood Vessels Characteristics:
- Arteries: Away from heart, thick walls, high pressure, small lumen
- Veins: Towards heart, thin walls, lower pressure, contain valves
- Capillaries: Site of gas exchange, one cell thick
Example: During exercise, vascular shunting occurs, increasing blood flow to working muscles through vasodilation while reducing flow to less active areas through vasoconstriction.
Understanding these structures and processes is essential for explaining the immediate effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system and answering GCSE PE cardiovascular system exam questions.
Page 6: Cardiovascular System Structure
The final page provides a comprehensive overview of the cardiovascular system's structure and blood flow patterns.
Definition: The cardiovascular system organs include the heart chambers, blood vessels, and associated valves.
Highlight: The effects of exercise on cardiovascular system include increased blood flow to working muscles through vascular shunting.
Functions of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system has three primary functions that are crucial for maintaining bodily health and performance:
-
Transportation: The heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body, delivering essential nutrients like glucose to tissues. During exercise, the heart works harder to increase oxygen levels. The system also removes waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
-
Regulating Body Temperature: When the body is too hot, blood flow to the skin increases through vasodilation, allowing heat to dissipate. Conversely, when the body is cold, blood flow is redirected to internal organs through vasoconstriction.
-
Clotting: Platelets in the blood form clots and scabs to stop bleeding when injuries occur.
Definition: Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow, while vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels, decreasing blood flow.
Highlight: The cardiovascular system's main function is to efficiently distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body while removing waste products, which is especially important during physical activity.
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Fun with GCSE PE: All About the Cardiovascular System!
Migle Chvainickaite
@miglechvainickaite_dnyu
The cardiovascular system is a vital network responsible for blood circulation, temperature regulation, and protection through clotting. This complex system consists of blood vessels, heart chambers, and specialized components working together to maintain bodily functions.
Key aspects include:
- Three main... Show more
Types of Blood Vessels
The cardiovascular system organs include three main types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Each type has unique characteristics suited to its function:
Arteries:
- Transport oxygenated blood away from the heart (except for the pulmonary artery)
- Have thick, elastic, muscular walls to cope with high blood pressure
- Feature a small lumen, contributing to high pressure
Vocabulary: The lumen is the inner space of a tubular structure, such as a blood vessel.
Veins:
- Transport deoxygenated blood towards the heart and lungs for re-oxygenation
- Have thinner, less elastic walls due to lower pressure
- Contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
Example: The pulmonary vein is an exception, carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Capillaries:
- Small blood vessels that connect arteries and veins
- One cell thick, allowing for efficient gas exchange
- Site where oxygen diffuses from the blood into tissues and carbon dioxide diffuses from tissues into the blood
Highlight: Capillaries are the type of blood vessel that directly exchanges substances with body tissues.
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Vascular Responses During Exercise
Understanding how the cardiovascular system responds to exercise is crucial for answering GCSE PE cardiovascular system exam questions. Key points include:
- Vasodilation occurs in arteries going to working muscles and skin during exercise, increasing blood flow to these areas.
- Vasoconstriction happens in arteries going to inactive areas (e.g., stomach) during exercise, redirecting blood flow to where it's needed most.
Definition: Vascular shunting is the redistribution of blood flow during exercise, prioritizing working muscles and skin for cooling.
Highlight: These vascular responses are essential for explaining how exercise affects the cardiovascular system in GCSE PE.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
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Components of Blood
Blood consists of several components, each with specific roles crucial for athletic performance:
-
Red Blood Cells:
- Carry oxygen from lungs to muscles
- Remove carbon dioxide from muscles to lungs
- Contain hemoglobin for oxygen binding
-
White Blood Cells:
- Defend against disease and prevent infection
- Crucial for maintaining health and recovery
-
Platelets:
- Essential for blood clotting
- Stop bleeding after injury
-
Plasma:
- Pale, straw-colored liquid
- Helps blood flow and transport substances
Highlight: Understanding blood components is vital for explaining the long-term effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system in GCSE PE.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Structure and Functions of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system's structure is intricately designed to support its functions:
Structure:
- Heart chambers: Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
- Valves: Tricuspid, bicuspid, semi-lunar valves
- Major blood vessels: Vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, aorta
Functions:
- Transport of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients
- Clotting of open wounds
- Regulation of body temperature
Definition: Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped by the heart in one minute, a key concept in GCSE PE cardiovascular system AQA exams.
Blood Vessels Characteristics:
- Arteries: Away from heart, thick walls, high pressure, small lumen
- Veins: Towards heart, thin walls, lower pressure, contain valves
- Capillaries: Site of gas exchange, one cell thick
Example: During exercise, vascular shunting occurs, increasing blood flow to working muscles through vasodilation while reducing flow to less active areas through vasoconstriction.
Understanding these structures and processes is essential for explaining the immediate effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system and answering GCSE PE cardiovascular system exam questions.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Page 6: Cardiovascular System Structure
The final page provides a comprehensive overview of the cardiovascular system's structure and blood flow patterns.
Definition: The cardiovascular system organs include the heart chambers, blood vessels, and associated valves.
Highlight: The effects of exercise on cardiovascular system include increased blood flow to working muscles through vascular shunting.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Functions of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system has three primary functions that are crucial for maintaining bodily health and performance:
-
Transportation: The heart pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body, delivering essential nutrients like glucose to tissues. During exercise, the heart works harder to increase oxygen levels. The system also removes waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
-
Regulating Body Temperature: When the body is too hot, blood flow to the skin increases through vasodilation, allowing heat to dissipate. Conversely, when the body is cold, blood flow is redirected to internal organs through vasoconstriction.
-
Clotting: Platelets in the blood form clots and scabs to stop bleeding when injuries occur.
Definition: Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow, while vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels, decreasing blood flow.
Highlight: The cardiovascular system's main function is to efficiently distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body while removing waste products, which is especially important during physical activity.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user