Occasionally a baby can be born with a hole in the wall that separates the left and right ventricles of the heart. Using your knowledge of blood circulation, explain the consequences of this condition.

Blood will flow between the right and left ventricles. This means that both sides of the heart will contain a mixture of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Therefore, the blood sent around the body via the aorta will only be partially oxygenated and so not enough oxygen will reach tissues/muscles.