Explaining the Effect of Physical Activity on Heart Rate (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Combined Science: Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 0653

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Jenna Quinn

Updated on

Explaining the effect of physical activity on heart rate: Extended

Extended Tier Only

  • Heart rate increases during exercise to increase blood flow to the working muscles

  • This is important for several reasons:

    • to provide the muscles with enough nutrients and oxygen for increased respiration

    • to remove waste products at a faster rate

  • Following exercise, the heart continues to beat faster for a while:

    • to ensure that all excess waste products are removed from muscle cells

    • to deliver extra oxygen to the muscle cells to pay off the oxygen debt accumulated when oxygen levels are not high enough to support aerobic respiration

      • The extra oxygen is used to break down the lactic acid that has been built up in cells as a result of anaerobic respiration


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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Jenna Quinn

Reviewer: Jenna Quinn

Expertise: Content Creator

Jenna studied at Cardiff University before training to become a science teacher at the University of Bath specialising in Biology (although she loves teaching all three sciences at GCSE level!). Teaching is her passion, and with 10 years experience teaching across a wide range of specifications – from GCSE and A Level Biology in the UK to IGCSE and IB Biology internationally – she knows what is required to pass those Biology exams.