6 Human Body:

Circuletory System Learn about

" Blood: Composition and
The circulatory system is responsible for function
fransporting materials such as nutrients, Blood vessels
hormones, and oxygen to all the body " The heart

cells. It also helps in carrying metabolic
wastes like carbon dioxide and urea
away from the body cells to the excretory
organs So that these can be removed
from the body. The circulatory system
in human beings (Fig.6.1) has three
major parts: blood, blood vessels, and
the heart. Blood is the circulating fluid for
" Circulation of blood in the body
. Exercises for healthy heart
" Blood banks
transporting the substances mentioned
above, heart pumps blood throughout
the body and blood vessels are the tub
through which blood flows from and to
the heart.

BLOOD
Human blood is a bright red-coloured
thick fluid that carries nutrients,
veins (blue) heart
arteries (red) respiratory gases, and other substances
from one part of the body to another.
Blood is composed of two Components.
plasma and blood cells (Fig. 6.2).
white blood cell
red blood cell

platelet

Flg. 6.1 Human circulatory system

Flg. 6.2 Components of blood
Plasma
straw-colouredfluid in which different
The suspended is called
bloodcels are
plasma.
About
92% of the volume of plasma is
I the remaining 8% contains
water and
dssolved substances such as proteins.
gucose, minerals,ions, and hormones.
Bloodcells
These are cellular Components of the
Nood that float in the plasma:
, Red blood cells (or erythrocytes)
These are red-coloured blood cells
present in the plasma. Mature RBCs
are biconcave in shape and do not
have a nucleus. They are the most
obundant component of blood. RBCs
are produced in the bone marrow.
The red colour of blood is due to
the presence ofared-coloured,
ron-containing pigment caled
iaemoglobin in RBCs. Haemoglobin
Combines with oxygen to form
orymoemoglobin, which is carried
TOm the lungs to all the cells in the
body (Fig. 6.3).
White Blood Cells (or leucocytes)
ese are colourless blood cells which
oe fewer in number but larger in Sze
3Compared to the RBCs. WBCs are
gular in shape and have one To
produced
mary lobed nuclei. They are
nthelymph nodes, the spleen, and
blood cells detond the
nsis.White
Artivity
Aim.o by vlowing the permanent side ot blood smer uncter
obsorveDlOod colls
Materials requirod: A microscope and pormonent
sido of
77
haemogiobin
molecules
oxYgen released
to tissue cells
red blood
cell
Oxygen bonded
with haemoglobin
molecutes
FIg. 6.3 Oxygen carried by RBCs in the form
of oxyhaemoglobin
body against harmful foreign bodies,
such as bacteriaand viruses. They
produce chemicals called antibOdies
to destroy these foreign bodies. Some
other types of WBCs Can squeeze out
through the capillary walls to reach
the site of infection. They destroy the
germs in the body by enguifing and
digesting them.
Platelets (or thrombocytes) These
cells are formed of special bone
marrow cells and are irregular in
shape. In mammals, platelets lack a
nucleus. They are the smallest blood
cells and are the least abundant in
blood. Platelets play a major role in
healing wounds. When a part of the
body is Wounded, the blood vessel
gets ruptured and blood oozes out
of it. In order to prevent excessive loss
of blood, platelets gather around the
WOund and initiate the process of
blood clotting This prevents further
loss of blood from the wound.
blood
micrOscope
 Procedure:
I. Place the slide on the microscope stage and focus the
microscope at low power.
2 Move the slide around, so that the blood cells are visible.
3. Switch the microscope to high power by foCusing the
objective lens.
Observation:
Ihe red blood cells are visible as small, biconcave disC-like
siructure. The white blood cells are irregular, Iarger, and have)
distinct nucleus. Platelets, being too small, cannot be seen
easily.

Blood groups Transport of metabolic wastes to

Human blood can be classified into four
different blood groups: A, B, O, and AB.
Blood groups are classified based on
special type of proteins, called antigens,
present on the red blood cells.These
antigens are named as antigen Aand
antigen B.A person with antigen A on
their RBC has blood group A.
person with antigen B on theirLikewise,
a temperature
RBC has
blood group B.
A person with blood grOup O does not
possesS any antigen and is caled a
universal donor. This person can donate
blood to a person of any blood group.
A person with blood group
AB
the antigens Aand Band is has both
calleda
universal recipient. Suchaperson
receive blood from a person of anycan
blood group.
FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD
The main functions of blood are
follows. as
Transport of oxygen and nutrients to
every cell in the body
excretory organs; for example, transpor
of carbon dioxide from body cells to
the lungs, and transporting urea from
the liver to the kidneys for excretion
Transport of various useful enzymes
and hormones throughout the body
Maintaining a constant body
Maintaining the water and salt
balance in the body
Prevention of infection by destroying
diseasecausing microorganisms, and
protecting the body against blood
loss by clot formation
BLOOD VESSELS
Blood vessels comprise a network O
hollow tubes present throughout ne
body through which blood flows.hete
are three kinds of blood vessels: arie
veins, and capillaries.
Arteries These are muscular, thiCK
Walled, elastic vessels with narrOw
cavities (Fig. 6.4)..They carry Oxygenated
blood from the heart to different parts
of the body. Blood flows throughthe
 jerks, Arteries Carry
in
arteries
s oxygenated
exception to this They have valves
bood:the only is (Fig. 6.5) at
pulmonary artery. which carries regular intervals.
the enated blood.i.The
deoxyger largest in artery which prevent
thebodyisthe aorta. Thesmaller arteries
the backflow of
called arterioles. .Arterioles branch to
are
(omcapillaries. blood. Veins carry Fig. 6.5 Valves in veins
capillary deoxygenated
blood: the only exception to this is
the pulmonary vein, which carries
Oxygenated blood. The largest veins in
the body are the superior and inferior
veng cava. The smaller veins in the body
vein are called venules. Capilaries unite to
artery form venules.
(a)
Capillaries These are extremely ngrrow
blood vessels that form networks around
organs and tissues of the body. Their walls
are made of only a single layer of celis
capillary to enable an exchange of substances.
Ihe capillaries are supplied with blood by
artery vein

(b)
arterioles and further drained by venules.
Fig. 6.4 Cross section of veins and arteries Capillaries permit the exchange of gases,
nutrients, and wastes between the blood
Veins These are thin-walled vessels with and the cells in the body.
narrow cavities (Fig.6.4). Theytransport The differences between the three types
blood to the heart from different parts
of blood vessels are given in Table 6.1.
of the body. Veins transport blood at a
lower pressure compared to arteries.
Table 6.1 Differences between the three types of blood vessels
Arteries Veins Capiliarles
Cany blood from the heart to Carry blood from organs and Carry blood fromn arteries/
oiher organs and body parts other body parts to the heart arterioles to veins/venules

Cenerally carry oxygenaled Generally carry deoxygenated Carry both

blood blood
Thick, musccular middle layer Thin, slightly muscular middle Only one cell thick, muscies ore
absent
layer
Do not hove Have valves Do not have valves
valves

79
 Questions
lolowing
of eoch of the
Gve two examples
1 Constituents of plasma
2 Components o blood
3. Biood cells
4 Blood groups
5. Blood vessels
Structure of the heart
chamtes
THE HEART The heart has four
orggn
The human heart is a muscular af the
lIt is located
of the size of one's fist Atria
Atria are the two thir-waled, ppe
pointing sghty
Centre of the chest cavity,
to the left, and situated
between the two chambers of ihe heart ney recee
lungs. The function of the heart is
to pump blood from different orgons Cf tner
order to ventricies
blood into the blood vessels in and pump it into the
body.
keep it circulating throughout the Ventricles
The walls of the heart are made up of
specialised cardiac muscles that
contract Ventricles are fwOthick wCed oer
and relax rhythmically. The heart works chambers of the heart. Ihnese Dum
structure ctrcos
firelessiy throughout one's life. The the blood received from the
of the human heart is given in Fig.6.6. the heart to the ciferent organs of e
diferent
Aorta It carries biood to Pulmonary artery Etaes eer
parts of the bocy biood to the lungs fr orgear

Puimonary vein it rngs g

Superior vena cava it retuns the
dearvgenated biood from the uppe half biood from lungs to te eta
of the body to the rght atrium
Pulmonary semilunar valve talcws Left atrium t pumOS O r a
biood to be pumped forward into the Dlood into the e t e c
bacifiow
puimonary artery. preventing its
Bicuspid valve t pets Dioc
De
tlood
Rlgt atrlum t gets dearygeratedth°ough tow from he le atrum
from all parts of the body ventricle oniy
vera carae.
2u
Aortic semiunar vaheatalcs
o
flow mped ito the
Tncuspid valve It permits blood to be pum
prevents ts backo
from the rght atrium to the right
ventricle only pumos ange
Left ventriclet
fartest part of e
blood toD the
boty through aorta
vena cava It returns the
jnferio
deongtnated blood from the iower haif of Right ventricle It pumps deoygenated
the bodytto the riEt atrium blood into the pulmonary artery

Fig 6.6 nternal structure of the human heart

80
 Theright atrium and right ventricle puimonary sermiHunar vatve orignatng
gether,pump the deoxygenated blood. the ortic
Hom the pulnorory artery and
atrium and the left ventricle SerniHurnar valve originating frormn the
lleeft
The
ogetherpump the oxygenated blood. 0orta.
septum, present in the
woll called
A
e of the
middle
heart, divides the left side CIRCULATION OF BLOOD IN THE BODY
heart from the right. It thus prevents The continuous fow of blood inside the
othe
intermixing of the oxygenated and
deoxygernated
me blood body is terned as blood circulation (Fg
6.7).There are two tvpes of circuotory
pathway ivoving tronspotot biod
Slood
vessels entering the heart 3. Froen te
4. i ekrs.e
Two large veins, the superior and inferior hea e

ong cava, bring deoxygenated blood deorgeated

tiod is prred
nm different parts of the body into the
nghtventiele- atrium the pirorary
artery
he pulmonary vein brings Oxygenated 1 Arta p r s

Hood fromthe lungs into the left atriun. enyeee

tiood aay form
tre tear This

Blood vessels leaving the heart eactes e

The largest arfery called the aorta, leaves
he left ventricle, carrying oxygenated
blood to all parts of the body.
The pulmonary artery leaves the right
ventricle carrying deoxygenated blood
to the lungs for oxygenation.
Valves
At the junction of auricles and ventricles
ce present auricCulo-ventricuiar valves.
amely. the bicuspid valve (on the left
sde) and the tricuspid valve (on the
gt side).These valves regulate the flow
blood inside the heart.They ensue
at the fow of blood is onty in one
ction in the heart. i.e. from auricles to
erticles, but not backwards.
nere are two more valves presert
ne junction of ventricles and the
teries leaving the heart. These are the
s
Clis o e tooy
toug arteres
ard cacliares aros s
ebdy
Fig 6.7 Flcw of biood in human tody
1. Ashorter path. co ed the Puimonary
circulation, transports biocd
between the hecrt and te tungs
Decxygenoted biood from the ignt
side of the heat fows into the ungs.
From the ungs. the crvgenatec biooc
Bows to he lett side of Te hect
2. Alonger patn calied Systemic
circulation, transports biood
between the heort ondd the entire
bocy Oxygenated biooc from the let
sIde of the hect iows to he rest ot
the boCyThe decrgenctec Dioc
trom the bocy cels is then retuned
to he right side of the heot
 defned as a pressure
Apulse is through the WOe
BLOOD FLOW THROuGH
THE HEART transmitted
ventricular
arteries
as the
contraction forces fresh
Deoxygenated blood from the intoit.
is received
different parts of the body the felt
by pressing the
through Pulse can be
by the right auricle vena cava.
Superior and inferior
index
finger and the third finger on the wist
right of
belowthe base the thumb (Fig
Blood is pumped into thepushed into 68)
ventricle from where it is
lungs.
pulmonary artery to reach the
oxygenated
In the lungs, the blood is heart
and is transported back into the left
through pulmonary veins into the
atrium.
The left atrium pumps out the Fig. 6.8 Measuring pulse
deoxygenated blood into the left
ventricle.
Heartbeat
Ihe oxygenated blood is sent to all
body parts through the aorta. One complete contraction and
Since, blood flows twice through the relaxation of the heart makes upa
heart before it completes one full heartbeat. The rhythmic contraction
circulation in the human body, it is called and relaxation during a
double circulation. heartbeat creates the
Sounds of lubb and
Pulse dup. These sounds are
The contraction of the ventricles forces produced when the
blood into the arteries. The walls of the atrioventricular valves and
arteries suddenly expand and then the semi-Hunar valves of the
relax due to the high pressure during the heart close, respectively.
inflow of blood. This generates a wave as blood flows in and out of
of pressure called a pulse that passes the heart.The average rate of
along the arteries.
heartbeat of a person is about
72 heartbeats per minutes.
Fact File
Stethoscope (Fig.
Heart attack occurs whena fatty 6.9) is a medical
substance called plaque builds up on device with which
the walls of the coronary artery, blocking
blood flow and cutting off oxygen. one can hear a person's
Warning symptoms of a heart attack heartbeat. It amplifies the
are painin chest, shortness of breath. sound of heartbeat,
nausea and sweating. making it louder. Fig. 6.9 Stethsat

82
 Activity
make a stethOscope
Aim: To ube rmde of plastic
ADparatus required:A balloon, rubber band, aflexible transparent
plastic funnels, tape, stop watch
rubber, 2
Procedure:
tfube
Usinggatape fixthe stem of thefunnel to one end of the trcinsparent
1. the balloon from its open end to cover the mouth of funnel. Fix it with the topo
Stretch
Add another funnel to the other end of the tube. Keep it uncovered.towards the micddle
3. the balloon-fixed end of the apparatus and place it slightBy
5. Take of the chest. Place the other end of the apparatus against your odr
dleft
6. Listento the sound of your heartbeat. beats in one minute
astopwatch, Count the numbor of times your heart
1. Using Some physical activities like running. jogging.
Jlse the apparafus again affer doing
measure the rate of heartbeat.
and jumping tor 2-3 miutes and
Observation:
following questions.
Note vour obserVafions and answer the per mninute at rost?
heart beat
1 How many times does your
beat slower or faster after running/jumping?
2. Does your heart
between the rate of heartbeat and the rate of breatthing?
3. Is there any relationship
Explain.
Conclusion:
the tube helps to amplify the sound of
1. The apparatus made using funnel and
pitched and
heartbeat.
heartbeat can be heard-the Lubb sound is low
of
2. Two distinct sounds sound is high pitched and shorter.
longer, and the Dupp
value during
the numerator is the the value
Blood Pressure contraction, denominator is
by blood on the mmHg stands for
Ihe pressure exerted during relaxation, and
called blood millimetres of mercury as measured by
walls of the arteries iscontraction of the
pressure. During the the instrument).
at maximum
heart, bloodis pumped out heart relaxes, the HEART
high pressure. When the EXERCISE FOR HEALTHY
The maximum most important
plessure falls to a minimum. determine A healthy lifestyle is
together can
healthy hecart. This
Qnd minimum values measured by an to maintain a
Diood pressure. It is performing activities
srumernt called sphygmomanometer. be achieved by jogging.
such as brisk walking. skipping.
pressuro in a healthy active
e normal blood
(where swimmirng, cycling. or plaiying
Person is taken as 120/80 mmHg

83
 thee volume of air
30 to
and also
exhaled. This ensuresthot is irto
OuTdoOr games for a minimum of
should
and that moe
Oxygen enters the bloodstream
minutes for 5 days a week. This
OU with healthy eafing suppliedto the muscle cells
be supplemented increase tne quicoy
habits. Aerobic exercises However.due to increased
Oxygen-rich blood is made
result, more
eficiency of the heart. As a available per r espi
the muscle cells. more carbon
produced. which must
rai
be
cn
body. also exDe
unit time to the organs of the quicklyfrom the bloodstream
Sedentary lifestyles and consuming the heart beeats faster to pump bloogThereto
fatty foods lead to deposition of fats quickly. The volume off blood pumped
(cholesterol) along the walls of the unit time also increaseS. As a resu
arteries. This increases the blood pressure Oxygen is absorbed into the blood c
and may even cause a heart attack. more carbon dioXide is expelled fron
Regular aerobic exercises can prevent per unit time.
this and other risks of heart diseases.
During strenuous exercise, oxygen
Effects of increased physical demand is more and the supply mar
activityTP be sufficient to meet the needs. Glucos
To perform vigorous exercise, muscles is then broken down by the body in
need to Work faster. For this, muscle cells the absence of oxygen, resulting in tre
must receive more oxygen to produce a formation of lactic acid in the musces
higher amount of energy. i.e.. ATP The energy released from this breokdo
That is why, during vigorous exercise. of glucose is much less than what is
more oxygen is needed by the muscle released in the presence of oxygen
cells than when the body is at rest. Lactic acid makes muscle tissue acioo
Exercise increases the rate of breathing which causes muscle fatigue.

Activity -TPLS
Aim:To measure the puise
Procedure:
1. Hold your left hand in front of yOu with the
palm facing
2. Find the pulse point on your wrist by gently pressing twoupwards.
against the wrist.
fingers of your right hol
3. Gently feel the pulse. Count the
number of beats in 30 seconds. Multiply the nu
by two to get the number of beats per
4.
minute.
Repeat the activity for two more times to take an average value of your ppulse rate at rest.
5. You may also check your pulse before and after an aerobic exerCise and obsevethe
difference.
Observation: You can feel the
thumping of the artery in your wrist just below yOur skin.

34
 conclusion:Tho pulse
approximatey COunt is the
same as the
at rest. count of ie., 72 times per
OUte.
brisk Measure your
walking. jogging. pulse rate heartbeat.
and running. Do you after various S physical activities
sAhaS
find any difference in the readings?

ALOOD BANKSTP
Abiood bank is a centre where the donated blood is stored and preserved properly to be supplied
bloodtransfusionin needy patients.
br donation
BOod Camps are offen organized in public places to collect blood from healthy people
volunoteer for blood donation
BOod donation is sate and the process requires only 10to 15 minutes.The reduced blood in donor's
bodyisreplenished with new blood within afew hours.
Bloodis tested forits blocd group. haemoglobin, and is also screened for any occurrence of
such as HIV.
diseases ,hepatitis, or other infectious
diseases.
Ihe donated blood is used for
f
transfusion compatible
to
Blood can hebe donated and transfused either as whole orrecipients.
for its specific
plasma, RBCs, and platelets, which can be separated and supplied to components suchnas osper
tpatients need.
different
Thea1ecipients Can be poientS dndergoing surgery. accident victims, severely anaemic people,
oncer patients. people suffering diseasesS requiring regular blood transfusions such as
thalassermia, etc.
tsimportant to donate blood because blood cannot be produced synthetically. It must be provided
the donors. Many times, there is not enough blood available to meet the demands oof all the
aedv Datients. Theretore. all healthy people must donate blood to help people in need of bloOd.

Wrap Up
. The circulatory systemn in human beings has three major parts: blood, blood vessels,
and the heart.
.Blood is composed of two components: plasma and blood cells. Plasma is the straw
colouredfuid in which diferent blood cells are suspended. Three types of blood cells
are RBCS. WBCS, and platelets.
" RBCS are biconcave and without a nucleus. WBCs are irregular in shape and contain
nuclei. Platelets are irregularly-shaped, lacking a nucleus.
" Blood vessels form a network of hollow tubes throughout the body through which
bloodflows.Thereare three types of blood vessels: Arteries (thickwalled). veins (hin
walled), capillaries (one cellthick).
lhe heart is amuscular organ about the size of a clenched fist. If is situated between
2
ine lungs in the chest cavity, slightly to the left. It has four chambers: 2 atria and
ventricles. deoxygenated blood from
Olarge veins, the superior and inferior vena Cava, bring
ine different parts of the body into the right ventricle.

85
The pulmonary vvein brings oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium.
The largest artery, calledthe aorta, leaves the left ventricle, carrying
to all parts of the body. Oxygenated bloog
The pulmonary artery leaves the right ventricle carrying deOxygenated blood to the
lungs for oxygenation.
The continuous flow of blood inside the body is termed as blood circulation.There
are two types of blood circulation in the body: pulmonary circulation and systemic
circulation.
Pulmonary circulation transports blood between the heart and the lungs.
Systemic circulation transports blood between the heart and the entire body.
Pulse is defined as apressure wave transmitted through the arteries as the ventriculor
contraction forces fresh blood into it.
One complete contraction and relaxation of the heart makes up aheartbeat.
Amedical device with which one can hear a person's heartbeat is called
stethoscope.
A healthy lifestyle is most important to maintain a healthy heart.