Body Systems: Breathing, Circulation, and Digestion
Gas exchange happens in tiny air sacs called alveoli, where your blood picks up oxygen and dumps carbon dioxide. When deoxygenated blood (shown in purple) reaches the lungs, oxygen diffuses into it whilst CO₂ diffuses out to be breathed away. This process keeps every cell in your body supplied with the oxygen it desperately needs.
Your heart acts like a double pump with four chambers. The right ventricle sends deoxygenated blood to your lungs, whilst the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood around your entire body. A special pacemaker sends electrical impulses to keep your heart beating at the right rhythm - pretty clever for something the size of your fist!
Blood vessels come in three types, each perfectly designed for their job. Arteries have thick, muscular walls to handle high-pressure blood flow away from the heart. Veins are thinner with valves to prevent backflow as they return blood to the heart. Capillaries are just one cell thick, making them perfect for exchanging nutrients and waste with your tissues.
Quick Tip: Remember that arteries carry blood away from the heart, whilst veins carry blood towards the heart - the direction matters more than whether it's oxygenated or not!
Your digestive system breaks down food using enzymes - biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions. These work best at specific temperatures and pH levels, which is why your stomach is so acidic. Different organs like the liver (produces bile) and small intestine (absorbs nutrients) have specialised cells that have undergone differentiation to perform specific functions.