Cardiac Cycle
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 1.2.5
Systole and Diastole
Systole is the process of contracting and pumping out blood. Diastole is the process of relaxing and filling up with blood. The heart beats in 2 phases, both of which involve systole and diastole:
Stage 1: atrial systole and ventricular diastole
- Firstly, the atria contract together and pump out blood (atrial systole) into the ventricles.
- While this happens, the ventricles relax and fill with blood (ventricular diastole).
Stage 2: ventricular systole and atrial diastole
- Secondly, the ventricles contract to pump blood out of the heart (ventricular systole).
- While this happens, the atria relax and fill with blood (atrial diastole).
Test yourself on Cardiac Cycle
Cardiac Cycle (Deoxygenated Blood)
What name is given to the cycle of blood between the lungs and the heart?
During the cardiac cycle, which of the following are involved in getting deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?
Cardiac Cycle (Oxygenated Blood)
In which organ does gaseous exchange cause blood to become oxygenated?