Blood Vessels & Blood — GCSE Biology Revision
Revise Blood Vessels & Blood for GCSE Biology. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to Plant Tissues & OrgansWhat is Blood Vessels & Blood?
Blood vessels transport blood around the body. Arteries carry high-pressure blood away from the heart, veins carry low-pressure blood back to the heart, and capillaries are tiny vessels that form networks in tissues for substance exchange. Blood itself is a tissue consisting of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR). The structure and function of arteries, veins, and capillaries, and the components of blood, are all important.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
When you cut yourself, platelets in the blood are activated. They rush to the site of the injury and stick together to form a plug. This triggers a cascade of reactions, leading to the formation of a fibrin mesh, which traps red blood cells and forms a stable clot, or scab.
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Common mistakes
- 1Thinking veins have thick, muscular walls. Arteries have thick walls to withstand high pressure, while veins have thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow of low-pressure blood.
- 2Confusing the roles of white blood cells and platelets. White blood cells are part of the immune system and fight infection, whereas platelets are cell fragments that help the blood to clot at a wound.
- 3Forgetting that capillaries are only one cell thick. This extremely thin wall provides a very short diffusion distance for efficient exchange of substances like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and glucose with the body's cells.
Blood Vessels & Blood exam questions
Exam-style questions for Blood Vessels & Blood with mark-scheme style solutions and timing practice. Aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP specifications.
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Blood Vessels & Blood
Core concept
Blood vessels transport blood around the body. Arteries carry high-pressure blood away from the heart, veins carry low-pressure blood back to the heart, and capillaries are tiny vessels that form netw…
Frequently asked questions
What is the function of red blood cells?
Red blood cells are specialised to transport oxygen. They contain haemoglobin, which binds to oxygen in the lungs, and have a biconcave shape to maximise surface area for diffusion. They also lack a nucleus to make more space for haemoglobin.
How are capillaries adapted for exchange?
Capillaries have very thin walls (one cell thick), a narrow lumen that slows blood flow, and form extensive networks called capillary beds. These features maximise the efficiency of exchanging substances between the blood and the body tissues.