Section 6 - The Circulatory System Flashcards
Why do larger organisms need a circulatory system?
Diffusion is only efficient over short distances, so any animal bigger than a simple worm needs a system that will bring glucose and oxygen into close contact with individual cells.
How many chambers does the heart have?
Four
What do the blood vessels do?
The blood vessels carry blood around the entire body and go to every organ before returning the blood to the heart
What are the three main types of blood vessel?
Arteries, veins and capillaries
What do arteries do?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart
What do veins do?
Veins carry blood to the heart
What do capillaries do?
Capillaries are where the exchange between the blood and the cells takes place.
Why are capillaries needed?
As the blood flows through the tissues, dissolved substances such as glucose, oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the blood and the cells.
What is the main artery in the human body?
The aorta
What does the aorta do?
It carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
