Systemic circulation

Question 1

What is systemic circulation?

Answer 1

It carries oxygenated blood to the cells of the body to supply them with oxygen and nutrients. It also collects their waste products: carbon dioxide and water.

Question 2

Does blood travel a longer distance during pulmonary circulation or systemic circulation?

Answer 2

Systemic circulation

Question 3

Describe all of the steps in systemic circulation.

Answer 3

1. Blood flows from the left atrium through the (mitral) valve and into the left ventricle
2. The left ventricle contracts and pushes blood through the aortic valve and into the aorta, arterioles, and eventually capillaries
3. Once the blood reaches the cells, it releases its oxygen and nutrients through diffusion and collects the waste from cellular respiration
4. Blood containing carbon dioxide flows from capillaries, to the venules, and eventually to the inferior or superior vena cava
5. Blood flows from the vena cava to the right atrium
6. Blood goes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle