Handout for Grade 6: Parts of the Heart and Its Functions
Prepared by: Arlan N. Daylig
BEEd-4C
Field Study Student
Objective:
Learn the basic parts of the heart and their functions to understand how this vital organ works to keep us alive.
The Heart: An Overview
The heart is a muscular organ about the size of your fist, located in your chest, slightly to the left. It pumps
blood throughout the body, providing oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removing waste products like carbon
dioxide.
Parts of the Heart
1. Right Atrium
o Function: Receives deoxygenated (used) blood from the body through the veins.
o What Happens Next? Blood is pumped from the right atrium into the right ventricle.
2. Right Ventricle
o Function: Pumps the deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygen.
o What Happens Next? Blood travels to the lungs where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon
dioxide.
3. Left Atrium
o Function: Receives oxygenated (fresh) blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins.
o What Happens Next? Blood is pumped from the left atrium into the left ventricle.
4. Left Ventricle
o Function: Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.
o Why is it Special? The left ventricle is the strongest part of the heart, as it needs to pump blood
all around the body.
Important Blood Vessels
• Veins: Carry blood toward the heart.
o Example: The vena cava brings blood back to the right atrium.
• Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart.
o Example: The aorta sends oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.
Heart Valves
Valves are like gates that make sure the blood flows in only one direction.
1. Tricuspid Valve (between the right atrium and right ventricle)
2. Pulmonary Valve (between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery)
3. Mitral Valve (between the left atrium and left ventricle)
4. Aortic Valve (between the left ventricle and aorta)
How the Heart Works
1. Step 1: Deoxygenated blood flows into the right atrium from the body.
2. Step 2: The right atrium contracts, sending the blood into the right ventricle.
3. Step 3: The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
4. Step 4: Blood gets oxygenated in the lungs and returns to the left atrium.
5. Step 5: The left atrium pumps oxygen-rich blood into the left ventricle.
6. Step 6: The left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood throughout the body.
Quick Facts
• The heart beats around 70-75 times per minute at rest.
• It pumps about 70 milliliters of blood per beat (about 5 liters of blood every minute).
• The heart is made up of cardiac muscle, which is unique because it never tires!
Review Questions
1. What is the function of the right ventricle?
2. Which side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?
3. What do heart valves do?
4. Name one major blood vessel that carries blood to the heart.
Sources:
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
• American Heart Association
