The Circulatory System

Question 1

Function:

Answer 1

transportation of oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout the body

Question 2

Organs:

Answer 2

blood, heart, blood vessels

Question 3

Heart

Answer 3

• the heart is a muscular pump
• it’s about the size of your fist and located slightly left of center in your chest
• circulates blood and oxygen to all parts of the body

divided into 4 chambers:
- Left and right atrium
- Left and right ventricle

• The division protects oxygen-rich blood from mixing with oxygen-poor blood.

Question 4

Capillaries

Answer 4

• Smallest blood vessel → only 1 cell thick!
• Thin walls allow gases, nutrients, and waste to pass through easily in a process called DIFFUSION → net movement of substances from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Question 5

Arteries

Answer 5

• thick-walled vessels (can withstand pressure)
• carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to body tissues

Question 6

Veins

Answer 6

• thinner-walled vessels
• carry oxygen-poor blood from body tissues back to the heart
• have valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards