Monitoring Activity of the Heart (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

Monitoring activity of the heart

  • Heart activity can be monitored by using an ECG, measuring pulse rate or listening to the sounds of valves closing using a stethoscope

  • Heart rate (and pulse rate) is measured in beats per minute (bpm)

  • To investigate the effects of exercise on heart rate, record the pulse rate at rest for a minute

  • Immediately after they do some exercise, record the pulse rate every minute until it returns to the resting rate

  • This experiment will show that during exercise the heart rate increases and may take several minutes to return to normal

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

Build on this topic

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.