Department Biology

Dissection: What does the heart do? Level GCSE

Aim: To observe the structures in a mammals heart & explain why one side is thicker than the other

Step 1: Put on gloves and roll up/tie Step 2: Feel the white tissue on the out- Step 3: Open up the left and right sides,
back loose clothing and hair. side of the heart - this is fat! Also look at notice the difference in wall thicknesses?
the coronary arteries and veins. Your helper will explain why.

Step 4: Look at the heart strings (tendi- Step 5: Look at the openings at the top Step 6: Remove your gloves and place in
nous cords) inside the heart. Try to tug of the heart, your helper will explain what the bin, take an antiseptic hand wipe,
on one - they are very strong! these do, try to find the biggest one. use and place in the bin also.

ou
Did y
?
know
Humans are mammals so they have the same heart as the sheep’s. Yours is about the size of your fist!
Some people are born with a hole in their heart - what do you think this means?