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6SS2NOTES

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14 views

6SS2NOTES

Uploaded by

Regina Oduka
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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WEEK SIX

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
CONTENT
 Protective Function of Blood
 Circulatory System in Mammals
 Blood Vessels and the Heart

PROTECTIVE FUNCTION OF BLOOD


The blood performs two basic functions in mammals and
These are:
 Transportation of various substances
 Protection of body against diseases

The blood defends the body in major ways


1. Antibody production (Clumping): The lymphocytes produce antibodies which are any of a
large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen
which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response.This can also be ensured by injecting
small dose of the weaker or dead pathogens into the body. This process is known as
vaccination or immunization
2. Neutralization: The whole blood will also produce antitoxins which neutralize the toxins
produced by the pathogens.
3. Phagocyte Action (Engulfing): Phagocytes engulf the pathogens and digest them.
4. Clotting: The blood platelets clot the blood to prevent germs from entering the body and also
prevent loss of blood

MECHANISM OF CLOTTING
When a blood vessel is damaged and exposed to air, platelets in the blood stream release an enzyme
thrombokinase. The thrombokinase then converts prothrombin (inactive blood protein) to an enzyme called
thrombin. The thrombin then converts thesoluble fibrinogen in the plasma to insoluble fibrin in the presence
of calcium ions. The threadlike fibrin then forms a network or mesh on the surface of the wound and blood
cells are trapped within the network or mesh to form a clot. The clot dries to scab over the wound.

EVALUATION
1. Describe the mechanism of blood clotting.
2. What is vaccination?
TYPES OF CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
The circulatory system in animals can be:
 Closed or open
 Single or double
Closed Circulatory System: This involves the blood vessel called arteries which divides capillaries which
later join up with other vessels called veins. Blood is therefore limited to the vessels and the heart it does
not have direct contact with the body cells this system is observed in annelids and vertebrates.

Opened Circulatory System: The blood vessels lead out of the heart but end in blood spaces called
haemocoels within the body cavity. The blood has direct contact with the cells after which it is returned to
the heart. Arthropods and some mollusks have open circulatory system

Single Circulatory System: The blood passes through the heart once in a complete movement round the
body e.g. fishes because of their two chambered heart have single circulatory system.

Double Circulatory System: The blood passes twice in the heart every time it makes one complete
movement round the body. Each time it passes through a separate path way e.g. mammals. Double
circulation gives rise to pulmonary and systematic circulation.

BLOOD VESSELS
o Arteries: These are vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body’s organs
except for pulmonary artery that carries deoxygenated blood.
o Arteriole: A branch of an artery that gives rise to capillaries.
o Veins: These are large vessels that carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart except for
pulmonary vein which carries oxygenated blood.
o Venule: Small vessel that carries blood from the capillaries to the veins.
o Capillaries: They link the arteries with the veins around the tissues and organs. They are tiny and
thin walled to facilitate easy exchange of gasses nutrients and waste products between the cells
and the blood

EVALUATION
1. Define (a) artery (b) venule (c) capillary
2. What is double circulatory system?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ARTERY AND VEIN


ARTERY VEIN
1 It has a thick (muscular walls) It has thin wall
2 Elastic wall Non-elastic wall
3 Carries blood away from the heart Returns blood to the heart
4 Carries oxygenated blood except pulmonary Carries deoxygenated blood except
artery pulmonary vein
5 Blood is pink or bright colour Blood is dark red in colour
6 Situated deep in muscles Superficially situated

7 Has small lumen Large lumen


8 Pressure is high Pressure is low
9 Pulse is readily detectable Pulse is not easily detected
10 It has no valve except semi lunar valves It has valves

THE HEART
The heart is a muscular and powerful organ responsible for pumping blood in the system of mammals. It is
located within the chest cavity and protected in the ribs and sternum. The pumping action of the heart is
known as heart beat (heart beat). Heart beat per second varies from animal to animal and is often
increased at moments of excitement e.g. Humans heart is about 72 beats per minutes.
The special muscles making up the heart is known as cardiac muscles and the heart is enclosed in a two
layered tough protective membranes called the pericardium. Pericardial fluid fills the space between the
heart and pericardium. It reduces the friction arising from pumping movement of the heart against its
surrounding tissues.

STRUCTURE OF THE HEART


The human heart is divided into four chambers, the right and left auricles, the right and left ventricles. The
walls of the ventricles are often thicker than those of the auricles. The left ventricles especially have a thick
wall because it pumps blood out to all other parts of the body and this requires more pressure.
The heart is divided into two halves by a central barrier called septum. Bicuspid valves separate the left
auricle and the left ventricle. This ensures that blood flows only in one direction i.e. from the auricles to the
ventricles. Similarly the tricuspid valve exists between the right auricle and the right ventricle. It serves the
same function as the former. These bicuspid valves are held in place by special fibers, non-elastic cords
known as chordae tendineae.

HEAT BEAT
The heart beat consist of alternate contractions and relaxation of the right and left auricles as
well as the right and left ventricle. Human heart beat is about 72 beat per minutes this can be
divided into two phases, namely
o Diastole: This is the first stage of the heart beat; the two auricles contract forcing blood into the
ventricles and oxygenated blood into the left ventricle. As the ventricles gets filled up, the
cuspid valves are pushed up and closed.
o Systole: This is the second phase of the heart beat. The ventricles contract sending blood out to
the two tracks of the main arteries and out of the heart. Deoxygenated blood from the right
ventricles passes into the pulmonary artery while oxygenated blood is sent into the aorta. The
sequence repeats itself.
BLOOD VESSELS AND ORGANS SUPPLIED.
Blood Vessel (Artery) Organ Supplied
o Carotid artery ……. Head
o Pulmonary artery …….. Lungs
o Hepatic artery …….. Liver
o Gastric artery …….. Stomach
o Mesenteric artery …….. Intestine
o Renal artery ……... kidney
o Gonadal artery ……... Gonads
o Intercostals artery ……... Wall of thorax
Corresponding veins accompany the arteries stated above

Reading Assignment
College Biology, Chapter 7, Page 136 – 157

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