Circulatory systems
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) · Unit 9: Transport in animals · 11 flashcards
Circulatory systems is topic 9.1 in the Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) syllabus , positioned in Unit 9 — Transport in animals , alongside Heart, Blood vessels and Blood. In one line: The primary function is to transport substances (oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste) throughout the body.
This topic is examined in Paper 1 (multiple-choice) and Papers 3/4 (theory), plus Paper 5 or Paper 6 (practical / alternative to practical).
The deck below contains 11 flashcards — 3 definitions, 5 key concepts and 3 process cards — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the 3 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and application cards to handle explain, describe and compare questions.
The primary function of a circulatory system
The primary function is to transport substances (oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste) throughout the body.
What the Cambridge 0610 syllabus says
Official 2026-2028 specThese are the exact learning objectives Cambridge sets for this topic. Match the command word (Describe, Explain, State, etc.) in your answer to score full marks.
- Describe Describe the circulatory system as a system of blood vessels with a pump and valves to ensure one-way flow of blood
- Describe Describe the single circulation of a fish Supplement
- Describe Describe the double circulation of a mammal Supplement
- Explain Explain the advantages of a double circulation Supplement
What is the primary function of a circulatory system?
The primary function is to transport substances (oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste) throughout the body.
Describe the basic components of a circulatory system.
A circulatory system consists of blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), a pump (the heart), and valves. Valves ensure blood flows in one direction to prevent backflow, like in the veins of the human leg.
What is single circulation?
Single circulation is a circulatory system where blood passes through the heart only once in each complete circuit of the body. An example is seen in fish, where blood flows from the heart to the gills, then to the body, and back to the heart.
Describe the pathway of blood in a fish's single circulatory system.
Blood flows from the heart to the gills where it picks up oxygen, then to the body to deliver oxygen to cells, and back to the heart. This is a less efficient system for delivering oxygen to active tissues.
What is double circulation?
Double circulation is a circulatory system where blood passes through the heart twice in each complete circuit of the body. Mammals, like humans, have this system.
Describe the two circuits in a mammal's double circulatory system.
The two circuits are the pulmonary circuit (heart to lungs and back) and the systemic circuit (heart to body and back). The pulmonary circuit oxygenates the blood and the systemic circuit delivers oxygen to the body's tissues.
What are the advantages of a double circulatory system?
Double circulation allows for higher blood pressure and more efficient oxygen delivery to tissues. The heart pumps blood twice, increasing pressure after the pulmonary circuit, crucial for active organisms like mammals.
Explain how valves ensure one-way flow of blood in the heart.
Valves open and close in response to pressure changes in the heart chambers.
Where does the pulmonary artery transport blood to?
The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. This is part of the pulmonary circulation, where blood gets oxygenated.
Where does the pulmonary vein transport blood to?
The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. This completes the pulmonary circulation, returning oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Explain the role of the aorta in the circulatory system.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body and carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation. It branches into smaller arteries that supply blood to all parts of the body, such as the brain and muscles.
Key Questions: Circulatory systems
What is the primary function of a circulatory system?
The primary function is to transport substances (oxygen, nutrients, hormones, waste) throughout the body.
What is single circulation?
Single circulation is a circulatory system where blood passes through the heart only once in each complete circuit of the body. An example is seen in fish, where blood flows from the heart to the gills, then to the body, and back to the heart.
What is double circulation?
Double circulation is a circulatory system where blood passes through the heart twice in each complete circuit of the body. Mammals, like humans, have this system.
More topics in Unit 9 — Transport in animals
Circulatory systems 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 Circulatory systems 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.
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