Download WALT understand the workings of the heart

WALT understand
the workings of the
heart
Year 5
Science
Keeping Healthy
How big is your heart?
Clench your fist. That’s about how
big it is.
What do you think the heart is
made of?

It is important to exercise regularly
because the heart is a muscle just like
the muscles in your legs and arms. The
fitter you are, the stronger your heart will
become and the better it will work.
The heart’s job
The main job of the heart is to PUMP
blood around your body.
 The heart sends blood to the lungs to be
OXYGENATED. This means filled with
oxygen. The blood that arrives in the
heart is DEOXYGENATED. This means that
it has no oxygen left in it.

The blood is carried away from the heart
in the arteries and into the heart in the
veins.
 The arteries supply the body with
oxygenated blood. The veins carry the
deoxygenated blood to the heart, which
sends it to the lungs.

Where does the heart pump all of
this blood?
What is a pulse?
Can you find your pulse?
 Each contraction of the heart muscle is felt
by the pulsing of your blood through your
body.

What happens when you exercise?
Your body needs more oxygen to work
harder so your heart beats faster to bring
more oxygen to your organs.
 This is good for the heart because it is a
muscle. Exercise makes it stronger and
can help you live longer.
 What do you think would happen if your
heart muscle was weak?

Heart facts to remember
The heart is made of muscle and acts as
a pump for the blood.
 The veins carry blood TO the heart, the
arteries carry it AWAY.
 The lungs bring oxygen to the blood and
work with the heart.
 Each pulse of our blood is a beat of our
heart.
