The Heart and Double Circulatory System
This page provides an overview of the heart's structure and the double circulatory system, explaining how blood flows through the body. The heart is described as having four chambers and a pacemaker, with each component playing a crucial role in blood circulation.
The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the vena cava. The right ventricle then pumps this blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. After oxygenation in the lungs, the blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary vein, entering the left atrium. Finally, the left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.
Vocabulary: The pacemaker is a specialized group of cells in the right atrium that controls the heartbeat.
Definition: The double circulatory system consists of three main components: blood vessels, blood, and the heart. This system ensures efficient oxygen distribution throughout the body.
Highlight: The blood flow through the heart | step by step process is clearly outlined, showing how blood moves from deoxygenated to oxygenated states and back through the body.
The page also illustrates the difference between the atria and ventricles. The atria receive blood, while the ventricles contract to pump blood out of the heart. This coordinated action ensures continuous blood flow throughout the body.
Example: Deoxygenated blood arrives at the heart from the body via which vein? The vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the legs and feet to the right atrium of the heart.
Highlight: The process of gas exchange in the lungs is crucial for oxygenating the blood before it returns to the heart and is distributed to the body.
This comprehensive overview provides a clear understanding of how oxygen is transported in the body and the vital role of the heart in maintaining circulation. It also touches on the concept of blood transport, showing that blood not only carries oxygen but also collects carbon dioxide from body cells to be exhaled in the lungs.
