MY ICT E PORTFOLIO: December 2025

Understanding Blood, Lymph, and Heart Health

The human body relies on the circulatory system to transport nutrients, oxygen, and waste products. Blood, lymph, and the heart all play important roles in this process. Blood is made up of plasma (which contains water, proteins like albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen, plus other components) and blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). Plasma proteins have different jobs, such as maintaining blood volume or helping in immunity.

Tissue fluid forms when plasma oozes out of capillaries into the spaces between cells. Some of this fluid enters lymph vessels, becoming lymph, which helps transport fats and plays a role in immunity. Blood circulates through arteries (thick, elastic walls, high pressure), veins (thin walls, valves, low pressure), and capillaries (thin, single-cell walls, allow exchange of substances). The heart, protected by the pericardium, pumps blood through these vessels. It has four chambers and valves that control blood flow. The cardiac cycle includes atrial systole, ventricular systole, and diastole. Pulse and blood pressure are signs of heart activity. Good heart health depends on exercise, healthy diet, and avoiding bad habits.

Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct words.

The fluid part of blood that oozes into intercellular spaces and helps in the exchange of substances is called _____________.
The main protein in plasma that helps maintain blood volume is _____________.
The blood vessels that have thick and elastic walls and carry blood away from the heart are called _____________.
The double-layered membrane that covers and protects the heart is called the _____________.
The vessel that carries nutrients from the small intestine to the liver is known as the _____________.

Word Bank:
artery, pericardium, tissue fluid, albumin, portal vein

Multiple Choice Questions: Choose the correct answer from the choices for each question.

Which blood component helps in blood clotting?
- A) Red blood cells
- B) White blood cells
- C) Platelets
- D) Plasma
What is the function of the valves in veins?
- A) Maintain high pressure
- B) Prevent backflow of blood
- C) Produce red blood cells
- D) Absorb nutrients
Which phase is NOT part of the cardiac cycle?
- A) Atrial systole
- B) Ventricular systole
- C) Double circulation
- D) Joint diastole
Which vessel carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart?
- A) Pulmonary artery
- B) Aorta
- C) Pulmonary vein
- D) Superior venacava
Which of the following is NOT a way to protect your heart health?
- A) Eating healthy foods
- B) Smoking
- C) Exercising regularly
- D) Reducing mental stress

Open-Ended Questions: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

Explain how tissue fluid is formed and what its role is in the body.
Describe the path of glucose from the small intestine to the heart.
List two habits that can help keep your heart healthy and explain why they are important.

ANSWER KEY Teachers: Review all answers, especially if any mathematical reasoning is included, for accuracy.

Fill in the Blank Answers:

tissue fluid
albumin
artery
pericardium
portal vein

Multiple Choice Answers:

C) Platelets
B) Prevent backflow of blood
C) Double circulation
C) Pulmonary vein
B) Smoking

Open-Ended Example Responses:

Tissue fluid is formed when the plasma part of blood leaks out of capillaries into the spaces between cells. It helps exchange nutrients, oxygen, and waste between blood and the cells.
Glucose is absorbed by the blood capillaries in the villi of the small intestine, travels through the portal vein to the liver, then goes through the hepatic vein to the heart.
Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly help keep the heart healthy because they prevent fat buildup in arteries and strengthen the heart muscle, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Heart's Rhythm

(adapting the melodic structure with heart-themed biology lyrics)

Verse 1: In my body's chambers, blood flows so bright Arteries and veins, working day and night Pulmonary loops and systemic streams Double circulation, more than it seems

Chorus: Oh my heart, my heart (Oh my heart) Pumping life from the very start SA node beating, a natural art Keeping rhythm, never apart

Verse 2: Capillaries thin, with walls so light Red and white cells dancing in my sight Plasma carrying nutrients everywhere Oxygen and glucose with tender care

(Repeat Chorus)

Bridge: From ventricles to atria, valves open wide Systole and diastole, on this wild ride Heartbeat's music, a biological song Keeping me healthy, keeping me strong

(Final Chorus) Oh my heart, my heart (Oh my heart) Pumping life from the very start SA node beating, a natural art Keeping rhythm, never apart

The song incorporates key biological concepts from the heart textbook pages, focusing on the heart's structure, circulation, and function, while maintaining the melodic spirit of the original