The Function of

Arteries , Veins and Capil laries

Grade 8, Cluster: Cells and Systems
SLO: 8-1-12Compare and contrast the structure and function of
arteries, veins and capillaries.
Cluster 0: Scientifc Inquiry:
Initiating, esearching ! "lanning
8-0-1. #ormulate speci$c %uestions that lead to investigations.
Include: rephrase %uestions to a testa&le form, focus research
%uestions
'LO: (1, C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.1.2, -ath: S"-I.1.8.
8-0-!C. -a/e notes in point form, summari0ing ma1or ideas and
supporting details and reference sources.
'LO: C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.+.2.
Implementing, O&serving, -easuring ! ecording
8-0-". -a/e o&servations that are relevant to a speci$c %uestion.
'LO: (1, (2, C2
8-0-"F. ecord, compile and displa3 o&servations and data using an
appropriate format.
'LO: C2, C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.+.1, -ath: S"-III.2.8.
(nal30ing ! Interpreting
8-0-#$. Interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and e4plain
relationships.
'LO: (1, (2, C2, C5
Concluding ! (ppl3ing
8-0-7F. Reflect on prior knowledge and experiences to construct new understanding
and apply this new knowledge in other contexts.
GLO: A2, C !"LA Grade #, $.2.$%
%ssential Science &no'led(e Summary:
In this lesson students 6ill learn a&out the di7erent functions of &lood
vessels in the human &od3.
)aterials *equired:
8here is one handout that each student 6ill get, the handout is to &e
used as a source of information and should &e put into their science
&inders.
Glenda Schultz
+ill you assess, If so, 'hat,
9es, formativel3 assess for comprehension.
-o' 'ill you assess it,
:uestions throughout, mainl3 formative assessment, chec/ing for
comprehension. (s 6ell, students 6ill &e ta/ing notes throughout the
lesson. *4it slips 6ill also &e $lled out at the end of class, 6ith speci$c
directions of 6anting feed&ac/ on the da3;s lesson and an3 %uestions
of that lesson.
.earnin( Sequence
Introduction:
8he students have 1ust $nished stud3ing the heart and all its intricacies
such as veins and arteries. (s/ the students if an3 of them /no6 ho6
to ta/e their pulse< =ave students place t6o $ngers on their nec/ and
6ait for ans6ers. (s/ them if the3 /no6 6h3 6e place our $ngers in
this particular spot, and 6hat is ma/ing the >pulsing? feeling under
their $ngers. *4plain to the student that the3 have their $ngers on an
arter3 and that >pulsing? feeling is caused &3 the &lood &eing pumped
through our &odies &3 our heart. *4plain to students that the heart
pumps &lood throughout the &od3 through a s3stem of &lood vessels.
"roceed to give each student a cop3 of the handout, >Circulator3
S3stem?, have a student in the class read it out loud and discuss as a
class. 8his handout is a good introduction to the follo6ing information
that should &e 6ritten on the &oard or overhead for students to cop3
as the class discusses each vessel.
%/0lanation: 1Student 2otes3
Students 6ill &egin &3 cop3ing do6n the follo6ing information. 8he
teacher 6ill stop at the end of each section to discuss as a class and
ans6er an3 %uestions:
8here are three varieties of &lood vessels: arteries, veins, and
capillaries. @uring &lood circulation, the arteries carr3 &lood a6a3 from
the heart. 8he capillaries connect the arteries to veins. #inall3, the
veins carr3 the &lood &ac/ to the heart.
(rteries:
(rteries are vessels 6hich transport &lood a6a3 from the heart.
8he3 &ranch repeatedl3 to form arterioles )small arteries., the
smallest and thinnest &ranches of arteries4
8he arteries deliver the o43gen-rich &lood to the capillaries 6here the
actual e4change of o43gen and car&on dio4ide occurs. 8he capillaries
Glenda Schultz
then deliver the 6aste-rich &lood to the veins for transport &ac/ to the
lungs and heart.
Aeins:
Aeins are vessels 6hich transports &lood to the heart. #rom the
capillaries the &lood drains into ver3 small veins called venules, 6hich
unite into larger veins along 6hich the &lood returns to the heart.
Aeins carr3 deo43genated &lood from the organs and tissues &ac/ to
the heart.
8he pulmonar3 veins carr3 o43genated &lood from the lungs to the left
atrium.
Aeins also carr3 6aste products a6a3 from the organs and tissues,
6hile the veins associated 6ith the small intestine carr3 digested food
via the liver to the inferior vena cava.
Capillaries:
(rteries and veins are connected &3 5lood ca0illaries,
microscopicall3 small tu&es 6hich form a net6or/, the capillar3 &ed in
di7erent tissues. 8he &lood capillaries are so small that red &lood cells
can onl3 move in single $le through it. 8he e4change of all su&stances
ta/es place in these capillaries.
8he capillaries allo6 for gaseous e4change to ta/e place &et6een the
capillaries and the tissue Buids.
Cutrients di7use from the capillaries into the tissue Buids and 6aste
products such as car&on dio4ide and nitrogen.
+ra0-u0:
Studetns 6ill 6rite an e4it slip: Dhat did 3ou $nd interesting toda3<
Dhat did 3ou $nd confusing<
Sources:
Iv3 ose =olistic: =ealth and the =uman Eod3. etrieved on #e&ruar3
8, 2FF8.
http:GG666.iv3-rose.co.u/G8opicsGEloodHAessels.htm
Elood: 8he iver of Life. etrieved on #e&ruar3 5, 2FF8.
http:GGli&rar3.thin/%uest.orgGCF115F8FG<cIvessels
Glenda Schultz
The Structure of
Arteries , Veins and Capil laries
Grade 8, Cluster: Cells and Systems
SLO: 8-1-12Compare and contrast the structure and function of
arteries, veins and capillaries.
Cluster 0: Scientifc Inquiry
Initiating, esearching ! "lanning:
8-0-1. #ormulate speci$c %uestions that lead to investigations.
Include: rephrase %uestions to a testa&le form, focus research
%uestions
'LO: (1, C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.1.2, -ath: S"-I.1.8.
8-0-!C. -a/e notes in point form, summari0ing ma1or ideas and
supporting details and reference sources.
'LO: C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.+.2.
Implementing, O&serving, -easuring ! ecording:
8-0-67. Identif3 and assume various roles to achieve group goals.
'LO: CJ )*L( 'rade 8, 5.2.2.
8-0-"F. ecord, compile and displa3 o&servations and data using an
appropriate format.
'LO: C2, C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.+.1, -ath: S"-III.2.8.
(nal30ing ! Interpreting:
8-0-#. Construct graphs to displa3 data, and interpret and evaluate
these and other graphs. Examples: circle graphs
'LO: C2, C2 )*L( 'rade 8, +.+.1, -ath: S"-III.2.J, 8#S: K.2.2-K.2.2.
8-0-#$. Interpret patterns and trends in data, and infer and e4plain
relationships.
'LO: (1, (2, C2, C5
Concluding ! (ppl3ing:
8-0-8F4 eBect on prior /no6ledge and e4periences to construct ne6
understanding and appl3 this ne6 /no6ledge in other conte4ts.
'LO: (2, CK )*L( 'rade 8, 1.2.1.
Glenda Schultz
8-0-8G. Communicate methods, results, conclusions, and ne6
/no6ledge in a variet3 of 6a3s. Examples: oral, written, multi-media
presentations
'LO: C2 )*L( 'rade 8, K.K.1.
%ssential Science &no'led(e Summary:
In this lesson students 6ill learn ho6 the three di7erent &lood vessels:
arteries, veins and capillaries di7er in terms of structure. 8he students
6ill also &e comparing and contrasting the vessels in small groups.

)aterials *equired:
@i7erent hose si0es representing the + di7erent &lood vessels, as
visual for students.
=andout >(rteries, Aeins and Capillaries?
=andout of 2 charts students need to complete. )Can also have
students ma/e their o6n chart if one chooses, depending on the class..
+ill you assess, If so, 'hat,
9es, formativel3 assess for comprehension. Comparison chart of +
vessels.
-o' 'ill you assess it,
:uestions throughout, mainl3 formative assessment, chec/ing for
comprehension. (s 6ell, students 6ill &e ta/ing notes throughout the
lesson. Students 6ill &e compiling a chart in class comparing the +
&lood vessels, 6hich 6ill &e ta/en in for mar/s at the end of class. *4it
slips 6ill also &e $lled out at the end of class, 6ith speci$c directions of
6anting feed&ac/ on the da3;s lesson and an3 %uestions of that lesson.
.earnin( Sequence
Introduction:
8his lesson 6ill &egin 6ith a revie6 of the previous class lesson on the
function of arteries, veins and capillaries. De 6ill revie6 the e4it slips
and address an3 %uestions or concerns arising from them. 8his lesson
6ill focus on the structure of the three vessels, &ut at the same, t3ing
together structure and function 6ith 2 compare and contrast charts
that the studetns 6ill &e completing.
%/0lanation: 1Student 2otes3
Glenda Schultz
Student 6ill &egin &3 cop3ing do6n the follo6ing information. 8he
teacher 6ill stop at the end of each section to discuss as a class and
ans6er an3 %uestions:
(rteries
(rteries are tough on the outside and smooth on the inside. (n arter3
has three la3ers: an outer la3er of tissue, a muscular middle, and an
inner la3er of epithelial cells. 8he muscle in the middle is elastic and
ver3 strong. 8he inner la3er is ver3 smooth so that the &lood can Bo6
easil3 6ith no o&stacles in its path.
8he muscular 6all of the arter3 helps the heart pump the &lood. Dhen
the heart &eats, the arter3 e4pands as it $lls 6ith &lood. Dhen the
heart rela4es, the arter3 contracts, e4erting a force that is strong
enough to push the &lood along. 8his rh3thm &et6een the heart and
the arter3 results in an eLcient circulation s3stem.
9ou can actuall3 feel 3our arter3 e4pand and contract. Since the arter3
/eeps pace 6ith the heart, 6e can measure heart rate &3 counting the
contractions of the arter3. 8hatMs ho6 6e ta/e our pulse.
8he arteries deliver the o43gen-rich &lood to the capillaries 6here the
actual e4change of o43gen and car&on dio4ide occurs. 8he capillaries
then deliver the 6aste-rich &lood to the veins for transport &ac/ to the
lungs and heart.
Ering out the + di7erent si0es of hose and as/ 6hich hose the3 thin/
6ould &e a >fair? representation of an arter3< Students e4plain 6h3,
and discuss as a class.
Aeins
Aeins are similar to arteries &ut, &ecause the3 transport &lood at a
lo6er pressure, the3 are not as strong as arteries. Li/e arteries, veins
have three la3ers: an outer la3er of tissue, muscle in the middle, and a
smooth inner la3er of epithelial cells. =o6ever, the la3ers are thinner,
containing less tissue.
Aeins receive &lood from the capillaries after the e4change of o43gen
and car&on dio4ide has ta/en place. 8herefore, the veins transport
6aste-rich &lood &ac/ to the lungs and heart. It is important that the
6aste-rich &lood /eeps moving in the proper direction and not &e
allo6ed to Bo6 &ac/6ard. 8his is accomplished &3 valves that are
located inside the veins. 8he valves are li/e gates that onl3 allo6 traLc
to move in one direction.
8he vein valves are necessar3 to /eep &lood Bo6ing to6ard the heart,
&ut the3 are also necessar3 to allo6 &lood to Bo6 against the force of
gravit3. #or e4ample, &lood that is returning to the heart from the foot
Glenda Schultz
has to &e a&le to Bo6 up the leg. 'enerall3, the force of gravit3 6ould
discourage that from happening. 8he vein valves, ho6ever, provide
footholds for the &lood as it clim&s its 6a3 up.
Dith the + di7erent si0es of hoses close to 3ou or on a des/, as/ the
students once again 6hich hose the3 thin/ 6ould &e a >fair?
representation of a vein< Students e4plain 6h3, and discuss as a class.
Capillaries
Nnli/e the arteries and veins, capillaries are ver3 thin and fragile. 8he
capillaries are actuall3 onl3 one epithelial cell thic/. 8he3 are so thin
that &lood cells can onl3 pass through them in single $le. 8he
e4change of o43gen and car&on dio4ide ta/es place through the thin
capillar3 6all. 8he red &lood cells inside the capillar3 release their
o43gen 6hich passes through the 6all and into the surrounding tissue.
8he tissue releases its 6aste products, li/e car&on dio4ide, 6hich
passes through the 6all and into the red &lood cells.
Capillaries are also involved in the &od3Ms release of e4cess heat.
@uring e4ercise, for e4ample, 3our &od3 and &lood temperature rises.
8o help release this e4cess heat, the &lood delivers the heat to the
capillaries 6hich then rapidl3 release it to the tissue. 8he result is that
3our s/in ta/es on a Bushed, red appearance. If 3ou hold 3our hand, for
e4ample, under hot 6ater, 3our hand 6ill %uic/l3 turn red for the same
reason. 9our arm, ho6ever, is not li/el3 to change colour &ecause it is
not actuall3 feeling an increase in temperature.
(s/ the students once again 6hich hose the3 thin/ 6ould &e a >fair?
representation of a capillar3< Students e4plain 6h3, and discuss as a
class. Co6, discuss the consistenc3 of each of the hoses as the3 appl3
to the + di7erent &lood vessels.
8he students 6ill no6 &egin to some 6or/ in 6hich the3 6ill &e placed
in groups)divided as e%ual as possi&le. to complete the 2 charts >8he
structure and function of &lood vessels? and >Comparison &et6een
arteries and veins? 8he students should &e using the /no6ledge the3
have 1ust o&tained through the class lecture and notes as 6ell as the
handouts from the previous class and this class. Charts 6ill &e
completed as a group, &ut each individual mem&er 6ill need to have
their o6n as the3 are re%uired to &e handed in.
Glenda Schultz

+ra0-u0:
Students 6ill hand in their compare and contrast charts on their 6a3
out. (s 6ell, students 6ill 6rite an e4it slip: Dhat did 3ou $nd
interesting toda3< Dhat did 3ou $nd confusing<
Sources:
Elood: 8he iver of Life. etrieved on #e&ruar3 5, 2FF8.
http:GGli&rar3.thin/%uest.orgGCF115F8FG<cIvessels
8he =uman =eart. etrieved on #e&ruar3 5, 2FF8.
http:GG666.$.eduGlearnGheartGvesselsGcapillaries.html
2ame: 7ate:
Structure and Function of $lood 9essels
Arteries Capillaries Veins
Blood Direction
Muscle Layer
Semilunar Valves
ressure ! ulse"
#$y%en Concentration
Com0arison 5et'een rteries and 9eins
(rteries Aeins

Glenda Schultz
Arteries , Veins and Capil laries

Blood flows from the heart through arteries and into capillaries. It then returns to
the heart through veins.
"Heart: blood flow." Online Art. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Retrieved on Feb !" #$$%.
&http'((www.britannica.com(eb(art)%%*!+,.
Glenda Schultz
Glenda Schultz
Glenda Schultz