The Circulatory
Circulatory System
System
Learning Objectives
• the transport of materials within the internal environment for exchange with
cells is facilitated by the structure and function of the circulatory system at
the cell, tissue and organ levels
• the components of blood facilitate the transport of different materials around
the body (plasma and erythrocytes), play a role in the clotting of blood
(platelets) and the protection of the body (leucocytes)
• blood transfusions rely on determining blood groups (ABO and Rhesus), and
can be used to treat many different diseases and conditions
Circulatory System Functions
• Carry nutrients and gases to cells for
metabolism.
• Carry wastes away from cells to be
excreted.
• Clotting to prevent blood loss.
• Immunity against invading pathogens.
Heart Structure
and Function
Heart Functions
• Double pump
• LHS pumps blood to body
• RHS pumps blood to lungs.
Heart Chambers
• The heart consists of four chambers.
• The two on the LHS are separated from
the two on the right by the septum.
• The top chambers - the atria – receive
blood.
• The bottom chambers - the ventricles –
are the pumping chambers.
Heart Valves
• Direction of the blood flow is
controlled by four valves.
• The atrioventricular valves are held
in position by strong tendons, the
chordae tendinae.
• The semilunar valves stop blood
The biscuspid valve is sometimes called a
from flowing backwards. Mitral Valve – named after the Pope’s hat
called a Mitre.
Heart Vessels
Vessel Carries From To
Superior and Deoxygenated The body Right atrium
Inferior Vena blood
cava
Pulmonary Deoxygenated Right The lungs
arteries x2 blood ventricle
Pulmonary Oxygenated The lungs Left atrium
veinx4 blood
Aorta Oxygenated Left The body
blood ventricle
Heart Control
• The heart is made from cardiac
muscle tissue.
• The sinoatrial node controls the
beating of the atria.
• The atrioventricular node controls
the beating of the ventricles.
The heart sounds – “lubb dubb” – result from the
valves snapping shut.
Exterior view of the heart
Aorta
Superior Pulmonary
vena cava artery
Left atrium
Right atrium Pulmonary
vein
Right Left
ventricle ventricle
Inferior
vena cava
Image created by Patrick Lynch
Interior view of the heart
Superior vena Aorta
cava
Pulmonary artery Pulmonary vein
Left atrium
Right atrium
Bicuspid valve
Semilunar valve
Left ventricle
Tricuspid valve
Septum
Inferior vena cava
Right ventricle
The Miles Kelly Art library, Wellcome Images
Blood Vessel
Structure and
Function
The Blood Vessels
• Arteries – thick walled, muscular
and elastic blood vessels that
carry blood away from the heart.
• Arterioles – small arteries that
direct blood flow to various
tissues.
• Capillaries – microscopic
blood vessels that
connect arterioles and
venules.
• One cell thick.
• Enable exchange of
substances between
blood and surrounding
tissues.
• Venules – small veins.
• Veins – thin walled blood vessels
that carry blood toward the heart.
• Contain valves to prevent
backflow of blood.
Arteries, Veins and Capillaries
Blood
Blood Functions
• Transport nutrients and wastes.
• Regulation of pH, temperature, etc.
• Clotting to prevent blood loss.
• Immunity against invading
pathogens.
Properties of Blood
• Temperature - 380C
• pH - 7.35-7.45
• Total body weight - 8%
• Volume - Men 5-6 L,
Women 4-5 L
Blood Composition
Plasma
• Clear/wheat coloured liquid
• 46-63% of whole blood
• Location for chemical
reactions.
• Transports dissolved
nutrients and gases.
Erythrocytes
• AKA red blood cells
• Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide on
haemoglobin
• Biconcave discs, providing larger S.A.
• No nucleus
• Lifespan 120 days, removed by liver and spleen
Leucocytes
• AKA white blood cells
• Protect body against invasive
organisms and tumor cells.
• Different types attack different
cells/organisms.
• move via amoeboid motion and
phagocytose invaders.
Thrombocytes
• AKA platelets
• Used for clotting to prevent
blood loss.
Blood Types &
Transfusions
Blood Transfusion
• A medical procedure where donated blood
or plasma is given to a patient.
Blood transfusions can be used to treat:
• Blood loss because of surgery, childbirth or
a serious accident
• Severe anaemia - a lack of erythrocytes
• Blood cell loss due to cancer treatment
• Bleeding disorders like sickle cell anaemia.
Blood Type
• Blood type is dependent
on antigens on the
erythrocyte cell surface.
ABO Blood Type
• The presence of A or B antigens on erythrocyte cell surface.
• A person can have A, B, AB or O blood.
Rhesus Blood Type
• The presence or absence of Rhesus antigen on cell surface.
• A person can have + or - blood.
Compatible Blood Types
• If two incompatible blood types are mixed the blood can
agglutinate (clump).
• This is due to plasma antibodies in the patient binding with
antigens on cell surface of the donor blood.
• A patient with Rh– blood cannot be given Rh+ as the anti Rh
antibodies in their plasma will agglutinate with the Rh+ antibodies
on the donor blood.
• Doctors must be careful which blood is used during transfusions.
Compatible Blood Types
O- blood is called the
universal donor
as this blood can be given to
anyone as has no surface
antigens.
AB+ blood is called the
universal recipient
as they can receive blood
from anyone as they do not
contain plasma antibodies.
Clotting
Function
• To minimise blood loss after injury.
Stages of clot formation
1. Vessel is damaged. Walls of blood vessels constrict.
2. Damage to vessels creates rough surfaces in lumen, which
thrombocytes stick to.
3. Sticking thromobocytes attract more thrombocytes creating a plug.
4. Thrombocytes release vasoconstrictors, which make walls constrict more
and for a longer time.
5. Clotting factors, in particular the protein fibrinogen, are released by the
thrombocytes.
6. This results in the formation of fibrin thread meshwork that traps blood cells,
thromobocytes and plasma.
This meshwork and the cells in it are called the clot.
7. The threads in the clot contract pulling the damaged vessel parts
together – this is called clot retraction.
8. The fluid in the clot (called serum) is forced out, drying out the clot.
This is called the scab.
