Describe how the structure of the heart allows it to pump blood to both the lungs and the rest of the body.

WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales) — 1.4.2 The heart · Describe · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.
The right side of the heart receives de‑oxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs via the pulmonary circulation.
The left side receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body via the systemic circulation.
The left ventricle has a thicker muscular wall than the right ventricle because it must generate a higher pressure to pump blood over a greater distance.

Examiner tips

  • Use the exact terms ‘atria’, ‘ventricles’, ‘pulmonary circulation’, ‘systemic circulation’.
  • Show the functional difference between right and left sides.
  • Explain why the left ventricle is thicker.
  • Keep each point concise – 4 marks total.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing atria with ventricles or vice‑versa.
  • Omitting the pulmonary vs systemic circulation distinction.
  • Failing to mention the thicker wall of the left ventricle.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. The heart has four chambers (two atria and two ventricles)
  2. The right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs (pulmonary circulation)
  3. The left side pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body (systemic circulation)
  4. The left ventricle has a thicker muscular wall than the right ventricle because it must pump blood over a greater distance / at higher pressure

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