What this topic covers
Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals has 3 subtopics:
- Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
- Respiration
- Additional exchange anchors
← Back to topics
GCSE Edexcel Higher Biology · Topic 8 of 9
Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals – GCSE Edexcel Higher Biology revision notes
Choose a subtopic. Exchange surfaces, blood, circulation, the heart and respiration. 14 lessons in 3 subtopics.
Revise Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals for GCSE Edexcel Higher Biology, including Animal tissues, organs and organ systems and Respiration.
14
Lessons
3
Subtopics
Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals lessons by subtopic
14 lessons, grouped by subtopic.
Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
- Blood Vessels and Their Functions: Explore the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries, understanding how their design relates to their role in the circulatory system. Learn to calculate blood flow rates using simple compound measures.
- The Heart and Double Circulation: Discover how the heart works as a pump in the double circulatory system, including the major blood vessels connected to the heart. Learn about the heart's natural pacemaker and artificial pacemakers used to treat heart rhythm problems.
- Heart Structure and Gas Exchange in Lungs: Examine the detailed structure of the heart and lungs, focusing on how the lungs are perfectly adapted for efficient gas exchange through the alveoli and surrounding capillary networks.
- Components of Blood
- Blood Cell Structure and Function
Respiration
- Introduction to Cellular Respiration
- Aerobic Respiration
- Anaerobic Respiration and Fermentation
- How the Body Responds to Exercise
- Anaerobic Respiration and Recovery
- What is Metabolism?
- Building Large Molecules from Small Ones
- Breaking Down Molecules and Building Blocks
Additional exchange anchors
- Fick's law and cardiac output: Add the explicit Edexcel exchange-rate and circulation calculations.
Revise Right Mocks '26
Edexcel GCSE Biology mock draft, 26–31 Oct. Draft coverage: Biology Paper 1 (Higher tier). Reviewed for an original-practice sitting; check student availability before registering. Marking and results will follow later, after separate approval. Eligible new accounts receive a five-day Pro trial when signup email verification completes. Previous trials keep their original expiry. After expiry, new papers need Pro unless you have an explicitly confirmed free sitting offer for this event. That offer adds no Pro time or AI learning. Saved attempts and released results remain readable. No card or automatic charge.
More in this course
Go back to the full GCSE Edexcel Higher Biology topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals?
Exchange surfaces, blood, circulation, the heart and respiration. 14 lessons in 3 subtopics.
What is the equation for anaerobic respiration?
In muscles, anaerobic respiration is glucose → lactic acid. The Anaerobic Respiration and Fermentation notes cover this in full.
What is haemoglobin?
Haemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it in body tissues. The Components of Blood notes cover this in full.
What is the word equation for aerobic respiration?
The word equation for aerobic respiration is glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy. The Aerobic Respiration notes cover this in full.
What is plasma and what does it carry?
Plasma is the pale yellow liquid component of blood that makes up about 55% of blood volume. The Components of Blood notes cover this in full.
What is metabolism?
Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions that occur in a cell or organism. The What is Metabolism? notes cover this in full.
What is lactic acid?
Lactic acid is a toxic waste product formed during anaerobic respiration in muscles. The Anaerobic Respiration and Recovery notes cover this in full.
What are the four components of blood?
Blood is made of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The Components of Blood notes cover this in full.
What is anaemia?
Anaemia is a blood disorder where there are not enough healthy red blood cells or not enough haemoglobin. The Components of Blood notes cover this in full.