Circulatory System Flashcards
What is the Circulatory System?
The Circulatory System is responsible for pumping blood around the body.
Why do we need blood pumped around our body?
We need blood pumped around our body because blood contains Oxygen and Glucose. These are needed so that all the cells in our body can produce energy through respiration.
What are the main organs in the Circulatory System?
The main organs in the Circulatory System are the Heart, the Lungs and the Kidneys.
What is the function of the right side of the heart?
The right side of the heart pumps de-oxygenated blood (blood not containing oxygen) to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
What is the function of the left side of the heart?
The left side of the heart pumps the oxygenated blood from the lungs around the rest of the body.
Blood has four key components. What are they?
Plasma, Red blood cells, White blood cells and Platelets.
What is the function of Plasma in the blood?
Plasma is the fluid part of blood. It carries carbon dioxide, hormones and waste.
What is the function of the Red blood cells?
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin which carries oxygen.
What is the function of the White blood cells?
White blood cells are an important part of the immune system, they produce antibodies and destroy harmful microorganisms.
What is the function of Platelets in the blood?
Platelets clump together to form clots and protect the body by stopping bleeding.
There are three types of blood vessel. What are they?
Arteries, Veins and Capillaries.
Describe what Arteries do.
They carry blood away from the heart, have thick muscular walls and small passageways for blood.
Describe what Veins do.
They carry blood to the heart, have thin walls and have valves to prevent blood flowing backwards.
Describe what Capillaries do.
Capillaries are found in the muscles and lungs.
They are microscopic – one cell thick - and this is where gas exchange takes place.
