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Human circulatory system
A circulatory system consists of a
group of organs that assist the
movement of substances, such as
oxygen and glucose, around the body.

Humans and other complex

organisms have a closed circulatory
system where blood is contained
within a series of vessels. This
allows the speed, pressure and
distribution of blood to be controlled.

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Single and double circulatory systems

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The contribution of Galen and Harvey

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Other circulatory systems
Some organism, such as insects, heart
have an open circulatory system.

This type of system contains a

heart, however the fluid is not
confined to vessels – it moves
around amongst the body cells.

The blood within an open circulatory system flows slowly

and is at low pressure. There is little control of distribution
of blood within the body.

Not all organisms have a circulatory system – single-celled

organisms such as amoeba can obtain substances directly
through the cell wall, via diffusion.

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True or false?

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What is blood made up of?

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Which component?

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Blood vessels

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Which type of blood vessels?

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Gases moving in and out of the blood

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Blood clotting
At the site of a cut or wound the blood will clot. This prevents
further blood loss, reduces the risk of pathogens entering
and forms a framework for repairing the damaged tissue.

Platelets will rapidly

stick to a damaged area,
releasing chemicals that
start a series of complex
reactions. This results in
a network of fibres
forming that trap blood
cells and debris, forming
a solid clot.

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Why can blood clots be dangerous?
Blood clots normally occur at the site of a cut. However
occasionally clots arise within blood vessels. This can be very
dangerous as a clot could obstruct the flow of blood to a major
organ. A blood clot can cause organ damage and even death.

Anti-coagulant drugs, such as

warfarin, heparin and aspirin can be
taken when a person’s blood is clotting
too quickly. These drugs can control
clotting by reducing the ability of the
blood to clot. Substances such as
vitamin K, alcohol, green vegetables
and cranberries can also affect clotting.

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Blood and blood vessels

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Blood transfusions
A blood transfusion involves taking blood from one person
and giving it to another.
Blood transfusions are used to replace blood lost in accidents,
after surgery and to treat blood conditions. Hospitals will store
a large amount of donated blood.

Blood is regularly donated by

thousands of people around
the UK. The national blood
service obtains, transports
and tests blood from donors
before it is used.

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ABO blood grouping
Cells contain markers on their surface,
called antigens. Red blood cells can
contain two types of antigens called
antigen A and antigen B. These form
the basis of a type of blood grouping
called the ABO blood system.
Blood groups can be classified by the
presence or absence of these antigens:
 blood group A – cells contain antigen A only
 blood group B – cells contain antigen B only
 blood group AB – cells contain antigens A and B
 blood group O – cells do not contain antigens A and B

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Who can receive what type of blood?
The immune system will contain antibodies against the
antigens that are not present in the blood. For example
group A blood will contain antibodies against antigen B.
Blood group Antigens Antibodies Can receive
O None anti-A, anti-B O
A A anti-B A and O
B B anti-A B and O
AB A and B None All groups

If a recipient's anti-B antibodies come in contact with blood cells

containing antigen B this will cause clotting. This affects blood
donation, e.g. a person with group A blood can only receive
blood group A or O, as these don’t contain B antigens.

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Donating ABO groups

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Rhesus blood grouping
Blood can be categorised using
Rhesus blood grouping.
Individuals either do or do not
possess the Rhesus antigen on
the surface of their blood cells.

Those with the antigen will have Rhesus positive or +blood,

and those without will have Rhesus negative or –blood.

This type of blood grouping can be used alongside the

ABO grouping. For example, people with group A blood
will either be A+ or A–.

It is important that this type of blood grouping is considered

during blood transfusions, as the wrong type may cause clotting.

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Glossary

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Anagrams

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Multiple-choice quiz

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