The Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system (circulatory system) is a network of vessels that acts as a

delivery system for the transportation of oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and other gases to
each cell, present in our bodies. The main components of the cardiovascular system
consist of the heart, blood and the blood vessels. Vertebrates have a closed circulatory
system meaning the blood is repeatedly cycles throughout the body in closed system of
pipes.

The human heart has 4 chambers and 2 valves to separate them.

Chambers:
-

Left atrium
Right atrium
Left ventricle
Right ventricle

Valves:
Bicuspid (mitral) valve: valve separates the
left atrium and the left ventricle
Tricuspid valve: separates the right atrium
and right ventricle.

Blood Flow
The heart is responsible for pumping of the blood to the rest
of the body. The blood becomes oxygenated at the lungs, as
gas exchange (CO2 and O2) occurs in between capillaries and
alveoli o lungs. From the lungs, the oxygenated blood enters
the left atrium and passes through the mitral valve into the
left ventricle. The mitral valve closes so backflow of blood
does not occur into left atrium. Once blood reaches the right
ventricle, it is pumped to the rest of the body through the
aorta and the aortic valve closes to prevent backflow of
blood. The deoxygenated blood enters the heart through the
superior and the inferior vena cava and enters the right
atrium, the blood is then passed to the right ventricle through
the tricuspid valve and then it flows out to the lungs to
become oxygenated as it passes through the pulmonary
artery.
Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
Red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes, have a biconcave shape that allows
them to absorb more oxygen due to their greater surface area. RBCs contain
haemoglobin which is a protein used to bind oxygen. In adults, RBCs do not have
a nucleus and hence they are known as enucleated cells. The shape of these
RBCs results in the blood cell to move through small capillaries with an
enhanced flexibility.

White

Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

The

White Blood Cells are responsible for identifying, fighting, and

destroying infections agents as well as destroying cancerous and
cells in the body. White blood cells develop from stem cells present
marrow.

old
in bone

Platelets (Thrombocytes)
Platelets are tiny fragments of other cell and not cells themselves. Platelets aid in the
blood clotting in order to stop bleeding at a site of wound.

Plasma

Around 55% of blood consists of plasma. Plasma is 90% water and the 10% dissolved molecules mainly
include plasma proteins. Blood plasma also consists of dissolved nutrients and glucose.

Blood Vessels

Arteries: carry blood away from the heart and are the thickest blood vessels which allows them to

withstand the high pressure of blood as it pumped through the heart. Pulmonary arteries are the only
arteries that carry deoxygenated blood.

Veins: carry deoxygenated blood (blood low in oxygen) to the heart. Blood returns to the heart through
pulmonary veins which are the only veins to carry oxygenated blood.

Capillaries: connect arteries to veins and participate in gas exchange in the lungs. Capillaries have very
thin walls and a large surface area.

The Pulmonary and Systemic Circuit

The Pulmonary Circuit
The Pulmonary circuit in the
circulatory system conducts blood
between the heart and the lungs.

The Systemic Circuit

The Systemic circuit in the
circulatory system is responsible for
carrying the blood flow away from
the heart and delivering it to several
organs and tissues and returning it
to the heart.