A Level Dissection: Heart and Cardiac Cycle

Post-mortem & heart dissection video:
Watch ZSL’s full 8-minute Inside Nature educational video, featuring a post-mortem examination and heart dissection of an African wild dog, aided by animations and microscopic imagery to support learning.

Inside Nature: Heart & Cardiac Cycle Resource Pack (A level & T level)
Supports teaching of the heart structure and function, valves, blood vessels, and the double circulatory system, using real-world wildlife science from ZSL’s zoos. At ZSL, any animal that passes away undergoes a post-mortem examination to understand cause of death, support scientific research, and maintain high welfare standards.

Pack contents:
• Teacher guidance document, including context, learning objectives, and suggested delivery notes.
• Student worksheet with exam-style questions linked to the curriculum.
• Mark scheme to support efficient assessment.

Suitable for learners studying at the level of:
• A-level Biology (AQA, OCR, Edexcel & Eduqas)
• T Level Animal Care and Management

How to use this resource:
Perfect for introducing the heart and cardiac cycle or reinforcing learning at the end of the unit. Videos are divided into segments with pause points, featuring suggested Q&A prompts on-screen. Worksheets can be completed after watching the video, as homework, or sections can be completed during each pause point.

Last updated: [09/12/2025]

Looking for more Inside Nature learning resource packs? Check out our selection of free biology/anatomy related materials on our ZSL Official’s Shop.