a) state that the mammalian circulatory system is a closed double circulation consisting of a heart, blood vessels and blood
b) observe and make plan diagrams of the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries using prepared slides and be able to recognise these vessels using the light microscope
c) explain the relationship between the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries
d) observe and draw the structure of red blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes using prepared slides and photomicrographs
e) state and explain the differences between blood, tissue fluid and lymph
f) describe the role of haemoglobin in carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide with reference to the role of carbonic anhydrase, the formation of haemoglobinic acid and carbaminohaemoglobin (details of the chloride shift are not required)
g) describe and explain the significance of the oxygen dissociation curves of adult oxyhaemoglobin at different carbon dioxide concentrations (the Bohr effect)
h) describe and explain the significance of the increase in the red blood cell count of humans at high altitude
8.2 The heart
The mammalian heart is a double pump: the right side pumps blood at low pressure to the lungs and the left side pumps blood at high pressure to the rest of the body.
a) describe the external and internal structure of the mammalian heart
b) explain the differences in the thickness of the walls of the different chambers in terms of their functions with reference to resistance to flow
c) describe the cardiac cycle (including blood pressure changes during systole and diastole)
d) explain how heart action is initiated and controlled (reference should be made to the sinoatrial node, the atrioventricular node and the Purkyne tissue, but not to nervous and hormonal control)