Blood vessels are tubes through which blood flows around the body.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

Oxygenated blood is blood rich in oxygen.

Deoxygenated blood is blood low in oxygen.

Function of blood vessels

Science

In this Human circulatory system unit, pupils learn about the function of the heart, blood and blood vessels in humans. In the Breathing and respiration unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the lungs and breathing, including gas exchange in humans. 

In the Healthy eating unit, pupils learnt that animals, including humans, cannot make their own food; they get nutrition from what they eat. In this The human circulatory system unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise ways in which nutrients and water are transported within animals including humans

This unit explores the human circulatory system, identifying the heart, blood vessels, and blood functions. It examines how diet, exercise, drugs, and lifestyle affect body function and details nutrient and water transport in animals. Emphasis is on data recording and presenting findings.

The human circulatory system

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Match these keywords to their descriptions.

Blood {{}} carry blood all around the body, to and from your heart.

In this model of the circulatory system, which colour represents blood vessels carrying oxygen rich blood?

models help us understand things we cannot see or experience ourselves

models perfectly represent things we cannot see

Your heart is protected by a frame of bones attached to the breastbone, called the {{}}.

The heart is made up of several __________ which relax and squeeze to pump blood.

blood is pumped around your body by the heart

to transport oxygen and nutrients around the body

to helps us feel better when we are unwell

to transport carbon dioxide to the stomach

to help us stop bleeding when we get a cut

The image below shows a model of one of the parts of blood. Which part does it represent?

Content guidance

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Function of blood vessels

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.