By : Ms Malebyana
Circulatory System
1. Components of the Circulatory System
A. Structure of the Heart
• The heart is a four-chambered muscular organ located in the thoracic cavity.
• It is made up of:
o Right atrium – receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the vena cava.
o Right ventricle – pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary
artery.
o Left atrium – receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary
vein.
o Left ventricle – pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body via the aorta.
• The septum divides the left and right sides of the heart to prevent mixing of blood.
• Valves prevent the backflow of blood:
o Tricuspid (right atrioventricular)
o Bicuspid/Mitral (left atrioventricular)
o Semilunar valves (pulmonary and aortic)
By : Ms Malebyana
B. Cardiac Cycle
• The cardiac cycle refers to one complete heartbeat.
• It consists of three main stages:
1. Atrial systole – atria contract, pushing blood into ventricles.
2. Ventricular systole – ventricles contract, forcing blood into the arteries.
3. Diastole – heart muscle relaxes and chambers fill with blood.
• The cycle is controlled by the sinoatrial (SA) node.
• Average heart rate: 70–75 beats per minute.
By : Ms Malebyana
2. Blood Vessels and Structure
Blood
Structure Function
Vessel
Thick muscular walls, small Carry blood away from the heart under high
Arteries
lumen, no valves pressure
Thin walls, large lumen, contain Carry blood toward the heart under low
Veins
valves pressure
By : Ms Malebyana
Blood
Structure Function
Vessel
Allow exchange of substances between
blood and tissue cells
Capillaries One cell thick walls
By : Ms Malebyana
3. Blood Components and Functions
A. Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)
• Biconcave in shape, no nucleus.
• Contain haemoglobin for transporting oxygen.
B. White Blood Cells (Leucocytes)
• Protect the body against infections.
• Two main types:
o Phagocytes: engulf and digest pathogens.
o Lymphocytes: produce antibodies for specific pathogens.
C. Platelets (Thrombocytes)
• Small fragments of cells that initiate blood clotting.
D. Plasma
• The liquid portion of blood (90% water).
• Transports nutrients, waste products, hormones, antibodies, and gases.
4. Exchange of Substances Between Blood and Cells
• Occurs in capillaries.
• Oxygen and nutrients diffuse from blood into tissue cells.
• Carbon dioxide and metabolic waste diffuse from cells into blood.
• Plasma helps in transporting these substances.
By : Ms Malebyana
5. Defense Functions of Blood
A. Phagocytes
• Provide non-specific immunity.
• Engulf pathogens through a process called phagocytosis.
By : Ms Malebyana
B. Lymphocytes
• Provide specific immunity.
• Produce antibodies that neutralize or destroy pathogens.
By : Ms Malebyana
C. Platelets and Blood Clotting
Steps in Blood Clot Formation:
1. Injury to a blood vessel exposes collagen fibers.
2. Platelets adhere to the site and release clotting factors.
3. Clotting factors activate enzyme thrombin.
4. Thrombin converts fibrinogen (soluble protein) into fibrin (insoluble threads).
5. Fibrin forms a mesh that traps red blood cells to form a clot.
6. The clot hardens into a scab, sealing the wound.
6. Immunity
By : Ms Malebyana
By : Ms Malebyana
A. Natural Immunity
• Active: Gained after recovery from an infection.
• Passive: Passed from mother to child via placenta or breast milk.
B. Artificial Immunity
• Active: Obtained through vaccination (stimulates antibody production).
• Passive: Injection of ready-made antibodies (e.g., antivenoms).
By : Ms Malebyana
By : Ms Malebyana
7. Lymphatic System
Functions:
• Returns excess tissue fluid (lymph) to the blood.
• Transports fat from the digestive system.
• Houses lymph nodes, which contain lymphocytes to fight infections.
By : Ms Malebyana
By : Ms Malebyana
8. Blood Vessel Diseases
Risk
Disease Description Causes Symptoms Treatment
Factors
Stress,
Headache, Lifestyle
High blood Narrowing of obesity, high
Hypertension dizziness, blurred changes,
pressure blood vessels salt intake,
vision medication
smoking
Blood clot or Hypertension, High Emergency
Paralysis, slurred
Stroke burst vessel blocked cholesterol, care,
speech, confusion
in the brain arteries diabetes rehabilitation
CPR,
Sudden stop Electrical Heart
Cardiac Unconsciousness, defibrillator,
in heart heart disease,
Arrest no pulse emergency
function disturbance drug abuse
care
Chest pain
High blood
from Narrow Medication,
Angina pressure, Chest pain,
reduced coronary stents,
Pectoris smoking, tightness
oxygen to arteries surgery
stress
the heart
Blocked
Clot in Obesity,
blood flow Chest pain, Emergency
Heart Attack coronary sedentary
to heart sweating, nausea medical care
artery lifestyle
muscle
By : Ms Malebyana
9. Prevalence in Botswana
• Cardiovascular diseases are increasing in Botswana, especially in urban centers.
• Causes:
o Unhealthy diets (high salt and fat)
o Physical inactivity
o Smoking and alcohol abuse
• Impact:
o A growing number of patients with hypertension, heart attacks, and
strokes.
o Limited access to medical facilities in some rural areas.
• Government and health organizations encourage:
o Regular screening
o Public awareness campaigns
o Promoting active lifestyles and healthy eating habits
