2.

14 – Circulatory System

I am successful today if I can…

Explain the primary functions of the circulatory system in animals

Circulatory System (or cardiovascular system)

The circulatory system transports substances all over the body. Its network of
blood vessels supplies every cell with the substances it needs to survive. Blood
carries nutrients and O2 to the body’s tissues and takes away waste (CO2) products.
It also circulates heat throughout the body. The blood often flows through a
system of blood vessels and is kept moving by the pumping action of the heart. The
smallest organisms rely on diffusion to transport substance through their bodies.

Human Circulatory System

Humans have a circulatory system made up of the blood, blood vessels, and heart
The heart pumps blood around the body through a network of finely branched blood
vessels. The vessels pass close to every living cell in the body.

Task: Match one of the terms listed below with the correct function.
artery capillary plasma platelets red blood
cells white blood cells vein

Structure
Function

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Help the blood clot, seal wounds and stop bleeding.

Tiny blood vessel with very thin walls that are one cell thick.

Blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart, (contains valves)

Contain hemoglobin that picks up oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Fight and destroy disease causing bacteria and viruses.

Carries blood cells, dissolved wastes, nutrients, and hormones.

Task: Match one of the terms listed below with the correct function.
artery capillary plasma platelets red blood
cells white blood cells vein

Structure
Function
arteries
Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
platelets
Help the blood clot, seal wounds and stop bleeding.
capillaries
Tiny blood vessel with very thin walls that are one cell thick.
veins
Blood vessel that carries blood back toward the heart, (contains valves)
RBCs
Contain hemoglobin that picks up oxygen and carbon dioxide.
WBCs
Fight and destroy disease causing bacteria and viruses.
 Plasma
Carries blood cells, dissolved wastes, nutrients, and hormones.

Blood

Think about it! Where might we find the different types of tissues in the
circulatory system/

Path of Blood in our Circulatory system

Path of Blood in our Circulatory system

Deoxygenated blood (blue) is pumped from the right atrium and right ventricle to
the lungs through the pulmonary artery to “pick-up” oxygen.
Gas exchange occurs in the lungs through capillaries
CO2 diffuses: blood → lungs
O2 diffuses: lungs → blood
Oxygenated blood (red) returns to left atrium and left ventricle of the heart
through the pulmonary vein

Path of Blood in our Circulatory system

Oxygenated blood (red) is pumped from the left ventricle of the heart to the body
through arteries (aorta)
Gas exchange occurs in the body cells through capillaries
O2 diffuses: blood → body cells
CO2 diffuses: body cells → blood
Deoxygenated blood (blue) returns to the right atrium and right ventricle of the
heart through veins

Diffusion occurs at the lungs!

O2 → diffuses from lungs to blood
CO2 → diffuses from blood to lungs
Diffusion occurs at the body tissues!
O2 → diffuses from blood to tissues
CO2 → diffuses from tissues to blood
Think about it!
Why do some blood vessels have low pressure and some have high pressure?

Path of Blood in our Circulatory system: Greater detail (optional)

Blood vessels

Capillaries are only one-cell thick which makes short diffusion pathway so
diffusion is very fast!
Blood coming to the tissues has high [O2] and low [CO2].

Tissues have low [O2] (always using it in cell respiration) and high [CO2] (always
making it in cell respiration)

In which direction will O2 and CO2 diffuse??

Diffusion in the Body

Comparative Anatomies – Fish, worm, grasshopper:

Classify each as an open or closed circulatory system:

Check Your Understanding

Below are three diagrams (a., b., c.,) illustrating closed circulatory systems
found in animals. Give an example of an animal having that type of circulatory
system, and justify your answer.
What are some similarities and differences between the systems?

Check Your Understanding

2. Fill out the table below.

3. The inner surface of the heart is lined with epithelial tissue, what is the
benefit of this lining?
4. Why are the ventricles so much thicker than the atria?
5. Why are there valves in the heart?