Biology 2011: The Human Biology Project Name ______________________ Circulatory System Notes

Sheet Date ____________ Per_______

Circulatory System Worksheet

1. The Heart Introduction

In the table below briefly describe the function of basic heart part.
Part Function

Pericardium Heart is surrounded by Pericardium which is a two layered connective tissue membrane
that has fluid between the layers. Pericardium has the duty of protecting the heart from
friction with other tissues and organs.

Septum Septum is a wall which divides heart into to parallel parts each with one atrium and one
ventricle

Atrium The atrium is one of the four chambers of the heart and plays a crucial role in the
circulatory system. The primary function of the atria is to receive blood that is returning
to the heart and pump it into the ventricles.

Ventricle The ventricles are the two lower chambers of the heart, and they play a crucial role in the
circulatory system. The primary function of the ventricles is to pump blood out of the
heart and into the circulatory system.

AV Valves We have 2 atrioventricular valves. They are placed between atria and ventricles. Left
valve is called bicuspid and Right valve is called the tricuspid valve. AV valves have the
responsibility to prevent blood from entering Atria again.

SL Valves SL Valves are moon shaped valves and prevent blood from returning to the ventricles
when ventricles are relaxing.

2. Heart Anatomy

a. Use the word bank below to label the diagram. (You may not label each line in the diagram)

1-Aorta

2- Superior Vena Cava

3- Pulmonary artery (to the right)

4- Pulmonary Veins (to right)

5-Right Atrium

6- Tricuspid Valve

7-Right Ventricle

8- Inferior Vena Cava

9- Pulmonary artery (to left)

10- Pulmonary Veins (to left)

11-Left Atrium

12-Bicuspid Valve

13-Aortic Valve

14-Left Ventricle

15-Descending aorta

16- Pulmonary Valve is not shown in the diagram

Biology 2011: The Human Biology Project Name ______________________ Circulatory System Notes
Sheet Date ____________ Per_______

3. Circulation Through The Heart: (Find an animation on-line that helps you visualize this) (Trace
the pathway of blood on the diagram above Blue=Deoxygenated Red=Oxygenated)

1. Blood enters via Superior and inferior vena cava veins into the right Atrium

2. Through Tricuspid valve into the right ventricle

3. Through Pulmonary Valve valve into Pulmonary artery arteries to lungs

4. Back from lungs via Pulmonary veins into left Atrium

5. Through Mitral valve into left Ventricle

6. Through Aortic valve into aorta to body

4. Pulmonary and Systemic Circulation

1. Describe the difference between systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Systemic circulation refers to the circulation of blood throughout the body, except for the lungs. In
this process, oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart is pumped through the aorta to all
parts of the body, where it delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells and tissues. On the other hand,
Pulmonary circulation is the circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs. In this process,
deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium of the heart through the superior and
inferior vena cava. From there, it passes through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle, which
pumps it through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen and
releases carbon dioxide. The oxygenated blood then returns to the heart through the pulmonary
veins

Use the table below to describe the 3 sub-systems involved in systemic circulation.
Sub-System Function/Description

Coronary Circulation Coronary circulation refers to the network of blood vessels that
supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients, as well as
remove waste products such as carbon dioxide. The coronary
circulation includes the left and right coronary arteries, which
arise from the aorta and branch out into smaller vessels called
arterioles.

Renal Circulation Renal circulation refers to the blood flow through the kidneys,
which are vital organs responsible for filtering waste products
from the blood and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance in the
body. The function of the renal circulation is to maintain the
proper balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body, as well as to
eliminate waste products and excess water and electrolytes from
the blood.The renal circulation also plays a role in regulating blood
pressure and maintaining acid-base balance in the body

Hepatic Portal The hepatic portal circulation is a specialized system of blood

Circulation vessels that carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs
to the liver for processing and destroying toxic substances.
Functions of Hepatic portal circulation include: Nutrient
processing, Detoxification and Hormone regulation.
5. Blood Composition

1. Components: (55% Plasma, 45% Cellular component of 4-5 total liters)

Do some research to fill in the chart below on blood composition.

Component Description Function

Plasma Plasma is a yellowish, protein Clotting , Immune response,

rich liquid. Plasma is mostly Transport of nutrients and
water and dissolved body waste products , Regulation of
proteins. About 1 percent of fluid balance
plasma is dissolved minerals
and ions. Plasma shapes 55
percent of blood volume.

Erythrocytes Most of the cells found in the The purpose of Erythrocytes

Solid components of blood are is to transport oxygen around
erythrocytes. Red blood cells the body to the other
contain a protein called cells(oxygen, carbon dioxide
hemoglobin Hemoglobin carries transport)
an iron atom, which can bind to
oxygenThe hemoglobin is what
makes red blood cells look red.

Leukocytes Leukocytes, also known as Leukocytes is an essential

white blood cells, are a type of component of the body's
blood cell. They are produced in defense against infectious
the bone marrow.There are agents and other foreign
several different types of substances
leukocytes, each with its unique
structure and function. These
include neutrophils, eosinophils,
basophils, monocytes, and
lymphocytes.

Platelets Platelets are small cell Blood clotting. Platelets can

fragments that are produced in protect individuals from
bone marrow. bleeding to death by stopping
the leakage of blood
Biology 2011: The Human Biology Project Name ______________________ Circulatory System Notes
Sheet Date ____________ Per_______

6. Control of the Heartbeat (Use the Web MD Video Link on the Wiki)

1. Explain how your heart is controlled by electrical impulses. Be sure to include the
following vocabulary: SA Node and AV Node

The heartbeat is initiated in a cluster of cells in the right atrium called SA node. This small Mass of
nerves and muscles generate between 50 and 100 electrical signals per minute. The SA node acts
as a pacemaker and its signals shape the heart beat. Signals made in SA nodes first pass over the
atria and cause them to contract. After that signals reach a second mass of cells called AV node.
AV node is located in the wall of the heart between the right atrium and right ventricle. AV nodes
transmit signals from SA nodes to muscles of the ventricles.

7. Blood Pressure (Use the Web MD Video Link on the Wiki)

1. What is the difference between your systolic and diastolic blood pressures?

Systolic blood pressure is the higher number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in
the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood out. Diastolic blood pressure is the lower number
and represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats (Relaxed).

2. What is the normal human blood pressure? 120/80

3. What is another name for hypertension? Define it in your own words.

Another name for hypertension is high blood pressure. Hypertension occurs when the force of blood
pushing against the walls of arteries is consistently too high. This can cause damage to the blood
vessels and organs over time, leading to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health
problems.
8. Cardiovascular Health & Heart Disease (Use the Web MD Video Link on the Wiki)

1. Factors That Lead To Heart Disease:

a. Factors We Can Control.
After watching the video, list at least five things we can do (or should avoid) to help prevent
heart disease.
1-Regular Exercise 2-Healthy Diet 3-Healthy Diet 4-Manage Stress 5-Regular Checkups

b. Cholesterol:
i. Name the two types of cholesterol (abbreviations are fine) and label
which one is good and which one is bad.

LDL and HDL. HDL is good cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries and carries
it back to the liver, where it can be broken down and eliminated from the body.

ii. 75% of the cholesterol is made in the Liver . The rest comes from our Foods.

iii. What is a normal measure for cholesterol? 1-Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL.
2-LDL
(low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: less than 100 mg/dL 3-HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol: greater than 40 mg/dL for men and greater than 50 mg/dL for women

9. Critical Thinking

1. A person with anemia has too few red blood cells. The most common symptom is a lack
of energy. Why would anemia cause this symptom? Anemia is a condition characterized by a
decrease in the number of red blood cells or a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
Hemoglobin is a protein which carries oxygen.When there are too few red blood cells or not enough
hemoglobin in the blood, the body's tissues and organs do not receive enough oxygen to function
properly. This can decrease the ability to perform physical activities.
2. One function of the circulatory system is to help maintain a uniform body temperature.
Explain how the constant circulation of blood through the body can accomplish this.
When the body temperature rises, such as during exercise or exposure to heat, the
blood vessels in the skin dilate, allowing more blood to flow to the surface of the
skin. This results in increased heat loss through radiation and convection, helping
to lower the body temperature.Conversely, when the body temperature drops, the
blood vessels in the skin constrict, reducing blood flow to the surface of the skin.
This reduces heat loss and helps to maintain body temperature