TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN HUMANS.

There are two main transport systems in humans:

− The blood circulatory system (Cardiovascular system).

− Lymphatic system.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.
The circulatory system is an organ system that circulates blood in the body.
It is made up of the:

− Heart
− Blood vessels
− Blood.
HEART.
The heart is the main organ which controls the blood circulation in mammals.
Description of structure of the mammalian (human) heart

− The human heart is a pear-shaped organ found in the thoracic cavity (chest region) between the lungs.
− The heart is made up of cardiac muscle.
− It is contained in a thin envelop called pericardium (pericardial membrane).
− The pericardium produces pericardial fluid
− It has four chambers, namely;
• Right auricle (right atrium).
• Right ventricle.
• left auricle (left atrium).
• left ventricle.
− The left and right side of the heart is separated by septum

Structure of the mammalian (human) heart

Parts of the heart and their function.

Parts of the heart. Their function.

Main artery − It transports oxygenated blood from the heart to all parts of the body.
(Aorta).
Main vein (Vena − It transports deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body to the
cava). heart.
Pulmonary artery. − It transports deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein. − It transports oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Right auricle (right − It receives deoxygenated blood from the main vein (vena cava).
atrium). − It pumps deoxygenated blood into the right ventricle.
Right ventricle. − It receives deoxygenated blood from the right auricle (right atrium).
− It pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary artery to the
lungs.
Left auricle (left − It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary
atrium). vein.
− It pumps oxygenated blood into the left ventricle.
Left ventricle. − It receives oxygenated blood from the left auricle (left atrium).
− It pumps oxygenated blood through the main artery (aorta) to all parts
of the body.
Tricuspid valve. − It prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into the
right auricle (right atrium).
Bicuspid valve − It prevents the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left
(mitral valve) auricle (left atrium).
Septum. − It prevents deoxygenated blood from mixing with oxygenated blood.
Semi lunar valves. − It prevents the back flow of blood into the ventricle.
Chordae tendineae. − It prevents the valves from flapping back into the atrium under
pressure.

Functions of the heart.

− It pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

− It pumps oxygenated blood to other parts of the body for oxygen to be used.
− It pumps hormones and other substances to different parts of the body.
− It is maintaining blood pressure.
NOTE.
1) Pericardium (Pericardial membrane)
Pericardium is a membrane that covers (envelops) the heart.
Function of pericardium.

− Holds the heart in position.

− Produce pericardial fluid to lubricate the heart.
− It is inelastic which prevent the heart from being overstretched and being overfilled with blood.
2) Pericardial fluid.
It is a fluid produced by the pericardium.
Functions of Pericardial fluid.

− Lubricate the heart to reduce friction.

− Acts as shock absorber.

3) The left ventricle has a thicker wall than the right ventricle. This is because the left ventricle pumps
blood to all parts of the body whiles the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs which is of a shorter
distance.
4) Oxygenated blood is bright red or pink, rich in oxygen, has a high pH, mostly found in arteries and
flows away from the heart. Deoxygenated blood is dark red, rich in carbon dioxide, low pH, mostly in
vein and flows towards the heart.
Adaptations of the heart.

− Presence of septum to prevent mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

− Presence of valves to prevent backflow of blood.
− Ventricles have thicker muscle to pump blood to parts of the body.
− It is made up of cardiac muscle which does not get tired (fatigue) easily.
− It is myogenic in nature to ensure that it beats continuously.
− Pericardium prevents the heart from being overstretched and being overfilled with blood.
− Pericardial fluid lubricates the heart and protects the heart against shock.
− Cordae tendineae holds the valves in position.
− Pacemaker (sinoatrial node) stimulates contraction of the heart.

FLOW OF BLOOD THROUGH THE HEART (BLOOD CIRCULATION).

Blood circulation in mammals (humans) is referred to as double circulation because blood flow through
the heart twice in one complete cycle. Blood flows from the heart to the lungs and this is called
pulmonary circulation. Blood flow occurs between the heart and the body tissues or cells and this is called
systemic circulation.
Note: Double circulation is a type of blood circulation where blood passes through the heart twice in each
complete cycle.
How blood circulation take place.

− Deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body enters the right auricle (atrium) through the vena cava.
− The right auricle pumps blood into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve.
− The right ventricle pumps the deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs for
oxygenation.
− The oxygenated blood is then transported by the pulmonary vein into the left auricle.
− The left auricle pumps blood into the left ventricle through the bicuspid valve.
− The left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood into the main artery (aorta) to all parts of the body.
Systole and diastole. − They have smaller lumen to maintain the
pressure.
Systole means contraction of the heart to provide − Absence of valves to allow easy flow of
pressure to pump blood out. blood.
Diastole means relaxation of the heart to reduce − They are deeply situated in muscles to
pressure in the heart to receive blood. protect against fatal injuries.
Note:
BLOOD VESSELS.
1) Elastic wall of arteries:
Blood vessels are channels through which blood
flows around the body. − Make them withstands pressure
Function of blood vessels − Allow expands (dilate) to accommodate large
volume of blood.
Blood vessels transport blood throughout the 2) Arteries do not need valve because:
body.
− Blood in arteries under high pressure.
Types of blood vessels. − To ensure easy flow of blood.
VEINS.
− Arteries.
− Veins. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood under
− Capillaries. low pressure to the heart.

Function.
ARTERIES.
Veins transport blood to the heart. OR
They are blood vessels that transport blood under
pressure away from the heart. Veins carry deoxygenated blood from all parts of
the body to the heart except pulmonary vein.
Adaptations of the vein to its function.

− It has thin (less muscular) to allow smooth

flow of blood.
− They have valves to prevent the back flow of
blood.
Function. − They have large lumen to allow large volume
of blood and reduce resistance to blood flow.
Arteries transport blood away from the heart to
− Presence of less elastic wall to compensate
other parts of the body. OR
for low blood pressure.
Arteries transport oxygenated blood away from − They are superficially situated under the skin
the heart to other parts of the body except to facilitate easy removal of heat and some
pulmonary artery. excretory products like sweat.
Note: Muscles nearby contract to push blood in
Adaptations of the artery to its function. veins towards the heart.
− It has thick (muscular) wall to withstand high CAPILLARIES.
blood pressure.
− It has elastic walls to withstand pressure. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels present in all
tissues of the body.
 The blood is made up of
1) Blood plasma
2) Blood cells (corpuscles)

Function. − Red blood cells (Erythrocytes).

− White blood cells (Leukocytes).
The capillaries are responsible for exchange of − Platelets (thrombocytes)
materials between blood and body tissues.
Adaptations of the capillaries to its function.

− They are tiny in order to penetrate internal

tissues.
− They have thin walls for easy diffusion.

Differences between arteries and veins. BLOOD PLASMA.

Arteries Veins. Blood plasma is the straw coloured (yellow)

− Carry blood away − Carry blood to the fluid part of the blood.
from the heart. heart. The plasma contains 90% water.
− Have no valves. − Have valves.
− Carry blood under − Carry blood under Components of the blood plasma.
high pressure. low pressure.
− Have thick walls. − Have thinner − Water.
walls. − Dissolved foods substances (like glucose,
amino acids, fat droplets,).
− Have narrow lumen. − Have wider lumen.
− Dissolved gases (like oxygen and carbon
− Carry oxygenated − Carry
dioxide).
blood except deoxygenated
pulmonary artery. blood except − Blood proteins (like fibrinogen, antibodies,
pulmonary vein. albumin, prothrombin etc.)
− Dissolved mineral salts (like Na+, K+, 𝐶𝑙 − ,
− Have elastic walls. − Have less elastic
walls. Ca2+, 𝐻𝐶𝑂3− ).
− Hormones (like adrenalin, insulin).
− Blood flow through in − Blood flow
pulse. through smoothly, − Enzymes
− They are deeply − They are − Waste products (like carbon dioxide, urea).
situated in muscles. superficially − Vitamins
situated under
skin. Function.
Note: − It transports dissolved food substances
1)The hepatic portal vein: transport blood (nutrients) and minerals to parts of the body.
containing digested food from the small − It is responsible for the transport of dissolved
intestines to the liver. gases.
− Transport antibodies and white blood cells to
2)Coronary artery: supplies the walls of the site of infection.
heart with oxygenated blood − It is responsible for the transport of blood
cells.
BLOOD.
− It distributes heat to all parts of the body.
Blood is a fluid tissue containing blood cells and − It carries waste (excretory) products to
plasma. excretory organs for removal.
− It carries hormones to target organs
Components of the blood. − It helps in regulation of fluid balance.
 BLOOD CELLS (CORPUSCLES). − White blood cells (Leukocytes).
− Platelets (thrombocytes)
The three (3) types of blood cells are: Note: Blood cells are produced in the bone
− Red blood cells (Erythrocytes). marrow.
Characteristics of the blood cells.

Red blood cells (Erythrocytes). White blood cells (Leucocytes). Platelets

(thrombocytes)
− It is biconcave in shape (disc shape). − Irregular in shape. − They are oval.
− Matured red blood cells lacks nucleus. − Have nucleus. − They lack nucleus.
− Lack organelles. − Have organelles. − Lack organelles.
− Contains haemoglobin. − Lack haemoglobin. − Lack haemoglobin.
− Smaller than the white blood cells. − Large in size. − They are tiny
− They are numerous (they are most − They are smaller in number. fragments of cells.
numerous of all blood cells). − Produced in the bone marrow. − Produced in the
− They have a life span of 120 days. − Has cytoplasm bone marrow.
− Produced in the bone marrow. Function. − Has cytoplasm
− Has cytoplasm − Lymphocytes produce
Function. antibodies that fight diseases Function.
− They transport oxygen to body tissues. in the body. − Platelets help in
− Transport carbon dioxide from tissues to − Phagocytes engulf and ingest blood clotting.
the lungs. pathogens.
− Helps to regulate blood pH.

Functions of blood. − Blood helps to maintain fluid and chemical

balance within the body.
Transport. Reproduction.
− Blood transport oxygen from the lungs to − Blood help to make the penis erect for sexual
other tissues. intercourse to take place.
− Blood carries carbon dioxide from body NOTE:
tissues to the lungs to be expelled.
− Blood transport of dissolved food substances 1) Oxygen is carried in the blood as
(nutrients) and minerals to parts of the body. oxyhaemoglobin.
− Blood carry antibodies to site of infection.
2) Carbon dioxide is carried in the blood as:
− Blood carries waste (excretory) products to
excretory organs for removal. − As bicarbonate ions (85% of carbon dioxide)
− Blood carries hormones to target organs − As carbaminohaemoglobin (10% of carbon
Protection and defense. dioxide)
− White blood cells protect the body against − As carbonic acid in solution (5% of carbon
diseases. dioxide)
3) Haemoglobin has higher affinity for carbon
− Lymphocytes produce antibodies that fight
monoxide (CO) than oxygen. So it tends to bind
diseases in the body
to carbon monoxide to form
− Phagocytes engulf and ingest pathogens
carboxyhaemoglobin at the expense of oxygen.
− Platelets help in blood clotting. When exposed to carbon monoxide, it will
Regulation. compete and bind to haemoglobin leaving less
− Blood help to regulate body temperature room for oxygen to bind. This reduces the rate at
(thermoregulation) / Blood distributes heat to which oxygen would be carried to tissues. The
all parts of the body. person may collapse and die.
 BLOOD CLOTTING. − Carbon dioxide
− White blood cells (phagocyte and
Blood clotting is the formation of mesh to lymphocytes)
prevent excessive bleeding.
− Excretory products
How Blood Clotting Occur. Functions Of The Lymph.

− When the blood vessel is cut, blood is − It carries white blood cells to body tissues.
exposed to air. − It helps in the absorption and transport of fat.
− Platelets exposed to air rapture and releases − It takes excess tissue fluid back into the
thromboplastin. blood.
− Thromboplastin catalyzes the conversion of − It removes and transport excretory products
prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of from tissues to blood.
calcium ion. − It is a medium of exchange of materials
− Thrombin catalyzes the conversion of between the blood and body tissues.
fibrinogen into fibrin. Blood pressure.
− Fibrin forms a network of mesh that traps
Blood pressure is the force or pressure with
blood cells to form clot.
which the heart pumps blood through the arteries
Importance Of Blood Clotting.
to all parts of the body. Blood pressure is
− It prevents excessive bleeding after injury. measured using sphygmomanometer.
− It prevents infection CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES.
− It facilitates (helps in) the process of wound
healing. Disorders of the blood.
Note: Calcium is needed in the conversion of
prothrombin to thrombin. Vitamin K is needed − Haemophilia.
for the synthesis of prothrombin. − Anaemia.
− Sickle cell anaemia.
Causes of blood clotting problems. − Leukaemia (Blood cancer).
Circulatory disorders.
− Lack of vitamin K
− Lack of calcium. − Hypertension (High blood pressure).
− Insufficient platelets − Heart attack (myocardial infraction)
− Hemophilia. − coronary thrombosis
Serum. − Arteriosclerosis.
It is the blood plasma without fibrinogen. − Cancer of the heart.
Causes of cardiovascular diseases.
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM.
− Emotional and psychological stress.
Lymphatic system is made up of lymph and − Excessive smoking.
lymph vessels. − Age.
− Hereditary
Lymph
− Psychological stress or emotional
Lymph is the excess body fluid (tissue fluid) that − Diet rich in fat or cholesterol and sugar
flows in the lymph vessels. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Composition of lymph − Regular exercise of the body.

− Low intake of salts.
Lymph contains: − Reduce intake of fat or cholesterol.
− Reduce body weight (obesity).
− Water
− Avoid smoking.
− Fat
− Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.