Biology - 4BI1 PearsonEdexcel

Transport

Overview

A single-celled organism can rely on diffusion alone to move substances in and out, but a human body with trillions of cells cannot. Transport systems solve this problem: the circulatory system carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products around the body in blood, while in plants the vascular system moves water, minerals, and sugars through xylem and phloem.

In this lesson you will learn the composition of blood, the structure and function of the heart, how arteries, veins, and capillaries differ, how the immune system defends against pathogens, and how transpiration drives the movement of water through a plant. This is one of the largest topics in the specification and appears across both Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Objectives

  1. Understand why simple, unicellular organisms can rely on diffusion for movement of substances in and out of the cell
  2. Understand the need for a transport system in multicellular organisms
  3. Describe the role of phloem in transporting sucrose and amino acids between the leaves and other parts of the plant
  4. Describe the role of xylem in transporting water and mineral ions from the roots to other parts of the plant
  5. Understand how water is absorbed by root hair cells
  6. Understand that transpiration is the evaporation of water from the surface of a plant
  7. Understand how the rate of transpiration is affected by changes in humidity, wind speed, temperature and light intensity
  8. Investigate the role of environmental factors in determining the rate of transpiration from a leafy shoot
  9. Describe the composition of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
  10. Understand the role of plasma in the transport of carbon dioxide, digested food, urea, hormones and heat energy
  11. Understand how adaptations of red blood cells make them suitable for the transport of oxygen, including shape, the absence of a nucleus and the presence of haemoglobin
  12. Understand how the immune system responds to disease using white blood cells, illustrated by phagocytes ingesting pathogens and lymphocytes releasing antibodies specific to the pathogen
  13. Understand how vaccination results in the manufacture of memory cells, which enable future antibody production to the pathogen to occur sooner, faster and in greater quantity
  14. Understand how platelets are involved in blood clotting, which prevents blood loss and the entry of micro-organisms
  15. Describe the structure of the heart and how it functions
  16. Explain how the heart rate changes during exercise and under the influence of adrenaline
  17. Understand how factors may increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease
  18. Understand how the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries relate to their function
  19. Understand the general structure of the circulation system, including the blood vessels to and from the heart and lungs, liver and kidneys

Lesson Note

Your heart beats about 100 000 times every day, pushing roughly 7 000 litres of blood through a network of vessels that, if laid end to end, would wrap around the Earth more than twice. Meanwhile, a tall oak tree lifts hundreds of litres of water from its roots to its canopy every day without a pump. Both systems rely on elegant physical principles, and both are essential for keeping cells supplied with what they need.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Transport. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart? A) Pulmonary artery B) Aorta C) Vena cava D) Pulmonary vein Answer: D
  2. What is the function of platelets? A) Carrying oxygen B) Producing antibodies C) Blood clotting at wound sites D) Transporting hormones Answer: C
  3. Which plant tissue transports dissolved sugars? A) Xylem B) Phloem C) Epidermis D) Palisade mesophyll Answer: B
  4. Which factor would DECREASE the rate of transpiration? A) Higher temperature B) Higher wind speed C) Higher humidity D) Higher light intensity Answer: C
  5. Why is the left ventricle wall thicker than the right? A) It receives more blood B) It needs to generate higher pressure for the systemic circulation C) It pumps blood to the lungs D) It contains more valves Answer: B

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Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
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Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

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