8 Body Fluids and Circulation

Introduction

• All living cells have to be provided with nutrients, O2 and other essential substances. Also, the
waste or harmful substances produced, have to be removed continuously for healthy functioning
of tissues. It is therefore, essential to have efficient mechanisms for the movement of these
substances to the cells and from the cells. Different groups of animals have evolved different
methods for this transport.
• Simple organisms like sponges and coelenterates circulate water from their surroundings through
their body cavities to facilitate the cells to exchange these substances. More complex organisms
use special fluids within their bodies to transport such materials.

Transportation In Animals

(a) Types of circulatory system:

Among animals two types of circulatory systems are found:
(i) Open circulatory system
(ii) Closed circulatory system

Table: Differences Between Open and Closed Circulatory System

Characters Open circulatory system Closed circulatory system

In some annelids, most of molluscs In most of annelids, ephalopods.

Occurrence
and arthropods. molluscs and all vertebrates.

Blood does not remain confined in the

Position of Blood remains confined in the
blood vessels and comes in lacunae or
blood blood vessels.
sinuses.

Blood flows at low pressure and cannot Blood flows at high pressure and
Blood pressure
be regulated. can be regulated.

Velocity of
Blood flows at a low velocity. Blood flows at a high velocity.
blood

Exchange of Direct exchange between blood Exchange occurs through the

materials and body cells. tissue fluid.

Respiratory When present, it is dissolved in blood Always present and is usually

pigment plasma. present in RBCs e.g. vertebrates.

More efficient as blood

Less efficient as blood takes
Efficiency circulation is completed in short
more time to complete one circulation.
period.

Body Fluids and Circulation 1

 In an open circulatory system, such as that of a grasshopper, hemolymph surrounding body
tissues also act as the circulatory fluid.

In a closed circulatory system, such as that of a earthworm, interstitial fluid surrounding body
tissues is distinct from blood acting as the circulatory fluid.

Examples of circulatory schemes.

(a) Single circulation: Fish

Bony fishes, rays, and shark have a single circuit of blood flow and a single circulatory pump – a
heart with two chambers.

2 Body Fluids and Circulation

 (b) Double circulation: Amphibian

(c) Double circulation: Reptiles

(d) Double circulation: Mammal and Birds

Body Fluids and Circulation 3

(b) Transportation in humans: In humans there is a circulatory system (Closed circulatory system)
that uses blood or lymph as carriers of materials (fluid exchange medium) and the heart as the
pumping organ to help in circulation. Circulatory system consists of blood vascular system
(blood as carrier) and lymphatic system (lymph as carrier).
(i) Blood Vascular System: The higher multicellular animals with higher metabolic rates
possess a well developed blood vascular system. This system helps in the quicker supply of
nutrients and oxygen to the body tissues and also in the rapid disposal of toxic waste
materials and carbon dioxide. The blood acts as the circulatory fluid. Blood vascular system
consists of blood, blood vessels and heart.
Blood : The blood is a specialized kind of living connective tissue which is made to circulate,
by the muscular pumping organ called as heart. In adult human beings there is 5.5 to 6 liter
of blood. The blood consists of fluid part (the plasma) and blood corpuscles. The red blood
corpuscles (RBCs), white blood corpuscles (WBCs) and blood platelets are present in the
plasma. The formation of blood is called “Haemopoiesis”.

• PH — 7.4 (Slightly alkaline)

• By weight — 7 to 8% of body weight
• Colour — Red
• By volume — 5 - 6 litres in male and 4 - 5 litres in female.
• Blood is a false CT because:
a. Fibres are completely absent in blood.
b. Matrix of blood is produced & synthesized by liver and lymphoid organs.
• Composition of Blood:
1. Liquid Part — Matrix — Plasma — 55%
2. Solid Part — Blood corpuscles — 45% (RBC, WBC & Platelets)

1. Plasma: The plasma consists of water (90% & above) inorganic and organic substances.
In the plasma, RBCs, WBCs and blood platelets float. Inorganic salts (0.9%) are also present.
The organic substances are glucose, amino acids, proteins, hormones, digested and waste
excretory products.
The blood proteins (7%) are fibrinogen, albumin, globulin and prothrombin.
Note: Serum is plasma from which fibrinogen is removed.(Plasma–Fibrinogen = Serum.)
(i) Albumin:4% (Max.)
• Produced & synthesized by liver.
• Smallest Plasma Protein.
• Responsible to maintain BCOP
(ii) Globulin: 2 - 2.5%.
• Ratio of albumin & globulin is 2 : 1.
• Produce and secreted by liver and lymphoid organs.
• Transport or carry substance in body.

4 Body Fluids and Circulation

 • Destory bacteria virus & toxic substances.
• In blood 3 type of globulins are present.
(a) alpha–Globulin — Produced by liver.
Eg. Ceruloplasmin — Cu carrying protein.
(b) beta–Globulin — Produced by liver
Eg. Transferin — Fe carrying protein.
(c) gamma–Globulin — Produced by lymphoid organs
Present in the form of antibodies which destroy bacteria, virus & toxic substance.
Also called Immunoglobulins.
(iii) Prothrombin – 0.3% Produced and secreted by liver
(iv) Fibrinogen – 0.3% Produced and secreted by liver
• Largest plasma protein.
• Help in blood clotting.

2. Blood Corpuscles:
Red Blood Corpuscles (RBCs) or Erythrocytes:
(a) Mammalian RBC's are biconcave, circular & non nucleated.
(b) At the time of origin nucleus is present in the RBC but it degenerates during maturation
process.
(c) Biconcave shape of RBC increases surface area.
(d) In RBC higher cell organelles like mitochondria, golgi complex and ER is absent.
(e) Due to absence of nucleus and other cell organelles more Haemoglobin can be filled in RBC.
Exception: Camel & Llama are mammals with biconvex, oval shaped RBC.
(f) Plasma membrane of RBC is called Donnan's membrane. It is highly permeable to some ions
like Cl– & HCO3– ions and impermeable to Na+ & K+ ions. It is called Donnan's phenomenon.
(g) Due to presence of spongy cytoskeleton & flexible plasma membrane RBC (7.5μ) can pass
through less diameter blood capillaries (5 ).
(h) Due to absence of mitochondria anaerobic respiration takes place in RBC.
(i) In RBC enzyme of glycolysis process are present, while enzyme of Krebs cycle are absent.
(j) Antigen of blood group (ABO and Rh factor) are present on the surface of RBC.
(k) Single RBC is pale yellow in colour while group of RBC appear red in colour.
(l) In RBC red coloured respiratory pigment haemoglobin is present Haemoglobin It is composed
of two components
(a) Haem - 5%
(b) Globin - 95% Protein part
Haem (Iron and Porphyrin)
(a) Iron present in the form of Fe+2
(b) Each molecule of Hb carries 4 molecules of O2.
Globin: Each molecule of globin protein is composed of 4 polypeptide chains. Polypeptide
chains are of 4 types.

Body Fluids and Circulation 5

 (a)  polypeptide chain having 141 amino acids.
(b)  polypetide chain having 146 amino acids.
(c)  polypetide chain having 146 amino acids.
(d)  polypetide chain having 146 amino acids.
On the basis of these polypeptide chains 3 type of Hb are formed in human –
• Hb A1(Adult Hb) –2+2
• Help in blood clotting. – 2  + 2 
• Hb F (Foetal Hb) –2+2
(Oxygen binding capacity of foetal Hb is more than adult Hb.)
Size of RBC
Human – 7.5 

Shape of RBC
(a) Biconcave
(b) Sickle cell anaemia–RBC become sickle shaped.
(c) If RBC is kept in hypertonic solution it will shrink.
(d) In Hypotonic solution it will burst.
Life span of RBC is 120 days

RBC count
Number of RBC in per cubic mm of blood is called RBC count.
Human (Male) 5.5 million
Human (Female) 4.5 million
Newly born baby 6.8 million

Decrease in RBC count condition is called Anaemia.

(a) Macrocytic anaemia – Due to Vit. B9 and B12 deficiency macroytes are formed which are
destroyed in spleen.
(b) Microcytic anaemia – Due to Fe deficiency microcytes are formed.
(c) Normocytic anaemia – Excess blood loss.

Formation of RBC
(a) Process of formation of RBC is called Erythropoiesis.
(b) Organs which produce RBC's called Erythropoietic organs.
(c) Hormone which stimulate Erthyropoiesis is called erythropoetin synthesized by Kidney & little
quantity by liver.
(d) 1st RBC produced by yolk sac.
(e) During embryonic life RBC are produced by Liver, Spleen, Placenta, Thymus gland.
(f) In adult stage RBC is produced by some bones having RBM which filled in between trabeculae
of spongy bones.
(h) Destruction of RBC occur in spleen. So spleen is called Graveyard of RBC.
(i) Spleen stores excess blood corpuscles so it is called Blood Bank of body.

6 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Concept Builder

1. Which of the following is most abundant in blood?

(1) RBC (2) WBC (3) Platelets (4) All are equal

2. Mammalian mature RBC does not contain:

(1) Membrane bounded cell organelles
(2) Carbonic anhydrase
(3) Haemoglobin
(4) Enzyme of glycolyte pathway

3. Organisms which circulate water from their surrounding through their body cavities to
facilitate the cells to exchange the substances are
(1) Porifera (2) Sponges (3) Both (1) and (2) (4) Insects

4. Blood is a
(1) Special connective tissue (2) Liquid connective tissue
(3) Both 1 and 2 (4) Semisolid connective tissue
5. Human blood consists of
(1) Fluid matrix (2) Plasma (3) Formed elements (4) All the above

6. Match the following columns.

Column-I Column-II
A. Fibrinogen 1. Clotting or coagulation of blood
B. Globulin 2. Defense mechanism of Body
C. Albumin 3. Osmotic balance
A B C A B C
(1) 3 2 1 (2) 3 1 2
(3) 2 1 3 (4) 1 2 3

7. Formed elements present in the human blood are:

I. Erythrocytes II. Leucocytes III. Platelets
IV. Plasma V. Lymph
Choose the correct option.
(1) I, II and III (2) II, III and IV (3) III, IV and V (4) I, II, III, IV and V

8. Formed element constitutes what percentage of the blood?

(1) 55% of blood (2) 45% of blood (3) 35% of blood (4) 25% of blood

9. In humans, RBCs are formed in:

(1) Red bone marrow (2) Heart (3) Lungs (4) Yellow bone marrow

10. Properties of human RBCs are:

I. Devoid of nucleus
II. Formed in bone marrow.
III. Possess healing properties IV. Biconcave in shape
V. Help in blood clotting.
Choose the option with correct properties.
(1) I, II and III (2) I, II and IV (3) III, IV and V (4) III, II and IV

Body Fluids and Circulation 7

 11. RBCs have an average life span of:
(1) 90 days (2) 100 days (3) 120 days (4) 140 days

Concept Builder (Answer-Key)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Ans. 1 1 3 3 4 4 1 2 1 2 3

• White Blood Corpuscles (WBCs) or Leucocytes: The number of leucocytes is comparatively

fewer i.e. 1mm3 of blood contains 5000 – 10000 leucocytes in humans. The total number of
WBCs is about 75 millions. The number of leucocytes increases in infections like pneumonia,
blood cancer (Leukaemia) etc. These are large in size and contain nucleus. White blood
corpuscles are of two types:
• Granulocytes: Contains granules in the cytoplasm. They are of three types: Eosinophils,
Basophils and Neutrophils.
• Agranulocytes: Monocytes and lymphocytes are two different types of agranulocytes.
Lymphocytes secrete antibodies which destroy microbes. The monocytes are phagocytic in
nature.

Fig.: Different types of Blood Corpuscules

8 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Leucocytes (Wbcs)

Characteristics Acidophils/ Basophils Neutrophils Monocytes Lymphocytes

Eosinophils
Acidic dye Basic dye like any dye
Stain with — —
like eosin methylene blue (acidic/basic/neutral)
Bilobed 2 or 3 lobed, S- 3 to 5 lobed Kidney or Bean Large, due to which
Shape of nucleus shaped shaped cytoplasm becomes
peripheral
They protect Secrete and Phagocytic in Also called ● T-Killer – direct kill
body against transport nature destroy scavengers of microbes
allergy and heparin, bacteria and blood because ● T-Helper – Stimulate B-
parasitic histamine and viruses by phago they engulf Lymphocytes to produce
infections. serotonin cytosis damaged or antibody
Function/s dead and ● T-suppressor –
minute bits of Suppresses T-Killer and
blood protect immune system.
corpuscles ● B-lymphoctye-Produce
and transport
antibodies.
2-3% of TLC 0.5 – 1% of TLC 60-65% of TLC 6-8% of TLC 20-25% of TLC
Number
(minimum in no.) (maximum in no.)
Acidophils  These cells are Due to their smaller
called involved in size and phagocytic
Eosinophilia inflammatory nature they are
Special point occurs during reactions. called — —
taeniasis, micropoliceman of
Ascariasis, blood
Hay fever

Diagram

• Blood platelets: These are small and without nuclei. Their number varies from 0.15 to 0.45
million per mm3 of blood. Their normal life span is one week. These help in blood clotting
at the site of injury by liberating thromboplastin.

3. Functions of Blood: Blood performs the following functions

• Transportation of nutrients: The digested and absorbed nutrients like glucose, amino
acids, fatty acids are first transported to the liver and then to all the tissues for their
storage, oxidation and synthesis of new substances.
• Transportation of respiratory gases: The respiratory gases (oxygen, carbon-dioxide) are
transported by the blood. Oxygen is transported from the respiratory surface (lung, skin
and buccal cavity) to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues is taken to the
respiratory organ for its removal.
• Transportation of excretory products: Different wastes from the different parts of the
body are collected by the blood and then taken to the organs (kidneys, lungs, skin and
intestine) from where they are excreted.

Body Fluids and Circulation 9

 • Transportation of hormones: Hormones are produced by endocrine glands. These
hormones have target organs (place to act). These are carried by the plasma of blood and
bring about the coordination in the working of the body.
• Maintenance of pH: The plasma proteins act as buffer system and maintains required pH
of the body tissues.
• Regulation of body temperature: The blood flows in all the parts of body, so it equalizes
the body temperature. It carries heat from one place to another place in the body.
• Transportation of metabolic intermediates: The blood carries metabolic intermediates
from one tissue to another for further metabolism. In the muscle cells due to anaerobic
respiration lactic acid is produced. This lactic acid is carried to the liver for further
oxidation.
• Water balance: The blood maintains water balance to constant level by distributing it
uniformly in the body.
• Protection from diseases: The WBCs (neutrophils and monocytes) engulf the bacteria and
other disease causing organisms by phagocytosis. The B- lymphocytes produce antibodies
to neutralize the action of toxins produced by pathogens.
• Clotting of blood: Blood forms a clot at the site of injury and thus prevents the further
loss of blood.
• Support: Blood flows under pressure in arteries. Due to this tissue become stiff as in the
case of erection of nipples, clitoris and penis.

4. Blood Clotting:
• At the site of injury of the blood vessels, the platelets induce blood coagulation through
the release of thromboplastin (thrombokinase).
• Thromboplastin changes prothrombin of blood plasma into thrombin.
• Thrombin converts soluble protein fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin.
• Fibrin forms a network which entangles RBCs and blood platelets to form plug or clot over
the injured area.
• Blood clotting is usually completed within 2-3 minutes.
Injured tissue + Blood platelets ⎯⎯
→ Thromboplastin released
Prothrombin ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Thromboplastin
Ca ++
→ Thrombin

Fibrinogen ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Thrombin
→ Fibrin
(Soluble) (Insoluble)
Fibrin + Red blood corpuscles ⎯⎯
→ Clot of blood

Concept Builder

1. In DLC neutrophil found as:

(1) 0 - 2% (2) 2 - 8% (3) 25% (4) 65%

2. Critical count of Platelet is:

(1) 40,000/mm3 (2) 1 lac /mm3 (3) 2 lac /mm3 (4) 4 lac /mm3

10 Body Fluids and Circulation

 3. Macropolice man of blood:
(1) Neutrophil (2) Basophil (3) Monocyte (4) Lymphocyte

4. Leucocytes are colourless due to:

(1) Lack of water (2) Lack of haemoglobin
(3) Presence of extra water (4) Presence of haemoglobin

5. Leucocytes are characterised by:

I. They are nucleated.
II. They are denucleated like RBC.
III. They are 6000-8000 mm3 of blood.
IV. They are long lived.
V. they are short lived.
Choose the appropriate option with correct properties.
(1) I, III and V (2) II, IV and V (3) I, IV and V (4) I, III and IV

6. Granulocytes and agranulocytes are the two main categories of:

(1) RBC (2) WBC (3) Thrombocyte (4) Blood platelets

7. I. Neutrophils II. Eosinophils III. Basophils IV. Lymphocytes

V. Monocytes
Identify wheather the given cell types are granulocytes
(A) and agranulocytes
(B) and choose the correct option accordingly:
A B
(1) I, II, III IV, V
(2) I, III, IV II, V
(3) IV, V, I II, III
(4) II, V, I, III, IV

8. Lymphocytes (20-25%) are of two major types B and T forms. They are responsible for :-
(1) Blood coagulation (2) Thickness of blood
(3) Immune responses (4) All of these

9. Platelets are:
(1) Also called thrombocytes (2) Cell fragments
(3) Produced from megakaryocytes (4) All of the above

Concept Builder (Answer-Key)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Ans. 4 1 3 2 1 2 1 3 4

Body Fluids and Circulation 11

 5. Blood Groups:
• Landsteiner discovered that blood of different individuals did not match each other but
there were biochemical differences.
• He discovered Antigens A and B and blood groups (ABO systems).
• Antigen (agglutinogen) is a glycoprotein present on RBCs. For each antigen there is a
corresponding antibody.
• Thus there are two antibodies (agglutinin) a and b occurring in the blood plasma. There
are four types of blood groups depending on the presence or absence of these antigens.

• Blood is a life saving fluid. It is often needed during accident and operation. The
transfusion of blood is only done when blood group is known. These groups are A,B, AB
and O.
• Blood of O group is a universal donor i.e. it can donate blood to any group (A, AB, B and O)
but it can receive blood from O blood group.
• AB group is a universal recipient (receiver). It can receive blood from any group (A, B, AB,
O) but it can donate to AB group only.

6. Blood Transfusion: The transfusion of blood from a healthy person to a patient suffering
from blood loss due to injury or surgical operation is called as “blood transfusion”.
• For this all major hospitals have blood banks where blood is collected from voluntary and
professional donors. Before preservation the blood is tested for its blood group and Rh
factor.
• Though theoretically a patient may be able to receive blood of two or more types, it is
always advisable to have the donor blood of the same group as that of the recipient.
• The blood of donor is always cross matched before transfusion to exclude any chance of
incompatibility. When blood from a donor is added to blood of the recipient, it is
necessary to avoid bringing together corresponding antigen and antibody. This causes
clumping of RBCs.
• Thus antigen A in RBCs of group A individuals reacts with antibodies of plasma of group B
individuals. This phenomenon is called “agglutination”.

12 Body Fluids and Circulation

 ✓ Compatible
 Incompatible

• Rh factor: Rh factor is also a type of antigen found on RBCs. Rh factor (in blood) can be
genetically determined. Most of the people (more than 85%) are Rh-positive (Rh+) while a
few are Rh negative (Rh–). Both people lead normal life. If an Rh– woman marries with an
Rh+ man then Ist pregnancy is normal but in 2nd pregnancy the mother with Rh– blood may
lose the baby due to incompatibility of Rh factor. This is known as Erythro blastosis foetalis.
By new techniques and procedures, now the child can be saved.

II. Blood Vessels: These are hollow tubes through which the blood flows.
1. Arteries: These are thick walled and deep seated blood vessels which generally carry
the oxygenated blood away from the heart to various body parts.
2. Veins: These are thin walled and superficially located blood vessels which generally carry
deoxygenated blood from the body parts to heart.
3. Capillaries: These are thinnest blood vessels and connect the branches of arteries and veins
which make the diffusion of various substances possible.

Table: Differences Between Arteries and Veins

S.no. Arteries Veins
1. Mostly deeply located Close to skin
2. Carry blood from heart to different organs. From different organs to heart.
3. Blood flows at a high pressure with Blood flow under low pressure without
rhythmic contraction and dilation. rhythmic contraction and dilation.
4. Wall is non-collapsible, thick and strong Collapsible, thin and weak.
5. Have no internal valves. Valves are present.

Blood Clotting (Coagulation of Blood)

• Blood flows from cut or wound but after some times it stops automatically, it is called clotting of
blood.
• Bleeding time 1 - 3 min.
Clotting time 2 - 8 min.

Body Fluids and Circulation 13

 Mechanism of Blood Clotting (Enzyme Cascade theory):
Mechanism of blood clotting
(Enzyme Cascade theory)
• According to this theory there are 3 steps in blood clotting.
(a) Release of Thromboplastin:
• Injured tissue synthesize exothromboplastin and platelets synthesize endothromboplastin.
• Both these thromboplastin react with plasma proteins in the presence of Ca++ ions to form
Prothrombinase enzymes. (Thrombokinase)
• This enzyme inactivates heparin. (Anti heparin)

(b) Conversion of Prothrombin into Thrombin:

• Prothrombinase enzyme converts inactive prothrombin into active thrombin in the presence of Ca++
ion.
(c) Conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin:
• Fibrinogen is soluble protein of plasma. Thrombin protein polymerise monomers of fibrinogen to
form insoluble fibrous protein fibrin.
• Fibrin fibres form network on cut or wound in which blood corpuscles got trapped. This form
clotting of blood.
• After clotting a pale yellow liquid oozes from clot called Serum. In which antibodies are found.
Blood – Corpuscles = Plasma
Plasma – fibrinogen (clotting factor) = Serum

Clotting Factors:
(a) 13 factors help in blood clotting.
(b) These factors are mainly produced in liver.
(c) Vitamin K is required in the synthesis of these clotting factors (Prothrombin).
(d) Ca++ ions play a very important role in blood clotting.

Concept Builder

1. Blood clot is mainly due to:

(1) Fibrin + Corpuscles (2) Heparin + Corpuscles
(3) Plasma + Thrombocytes (4) Plasma + RBC

2. Factors for coagulation or clotting of the blood are present in the ...A... in an ...B... form.
Plasma without the clotting factors is called ...C... .
Choose the correct option for the blanks A, B and C:
(1) A-Plasma, B-inactive, C-serum (2) A-Plasma, B-active, C-serum
(3) A-Plasma, B-inactive, C-lymph (4) A-Plasma, B-active, C-lymph

3. Clotting disorders occur mainly due to the reduction in the number of:
(1) Granulocytes (2) RBC (3) WBC (4) Platelets

14 Body Fluids and Circulation

 4. Which of the following option describes all the components of human blood :-
(1) Formed elements (2) Plasma
(3) Formed elements and plasma (4) Lymph and Serum

5. Grouping of ABO blood is based on the:

(1) Surface antigens present on RBCs
(2) Surface lipids present on the cell membrane
(3) Nature of all constituents
(4) Nature of RBC and WBC

6.

Choose the correct option for X, Y and Z:

(1) X-B; Y-A; Z-A, B
(2) X-A, B; Y-Nil; Z-A, B, AB, O
(3) X-A, B; Y-anti-A, B; Z-A, B, AB, O
(4) X-A, B; Y-anti A, B; Z-A, B, AB

Concept Builder (Answer-Key)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Ans. 1 1 4 3 1 3

Structure of Heart
• Heart is mesodermally derived organ, is situated in thoracic cavity in between the lungs, slightly
tilted to the left.
• Heart is 5 × 3.5 inches in size, weight 300 gm. Its triangular superior-broad portion is tilted slightly
towards right (dorsal) side. Its lower narrow portion is tilted towards left side.
• Heart is protected by a double layered bag called pericardium. The narrow space in between these
two membranes is called pericardial cavity in which pericardial fluid is present. Pericardial fluid
provide moisture to heart and reduces frictions. It is secreted by the pericardium.
• Pericardial cavity is a true coelom (as it lies between two layers of mesoderm).

Wall of Heart: The wall of heart is made of three layers:-

(i) Epicardium - outermost layer, Made of simple squamous epithelium.

(ii) Myocardium - middle layer, thickest, Made of cardiac muscle which are striated but involuntary.
(iii) Endocardium - innermost layer, Made of simple squamous epithelium.
• Thickness of wall of Heart depends on Myocardium.

Body Fluids and Circulation 15

• The heart of man is four chambered. Two relatively small upper chambers called Atria and two
larger lower chambers called ventricles.
• The atrium and the ventricle of the same side are separated by a thick fibrous tissue called the
atrio-ventricular septum.
• The right and left atria are separated by a thin muscular wall called Inter atrial septum. Which is
shifted slightly towards left. So right atrium is slightly bigger than left atrium.

Fig. Section of a human heart

• Ventricular part is broad, muscular and light colour. Ventricles have thicker walls than auricles.
The septa which divide the two ventricles are termed as Inter-ventricular septum. It is oblique or
tilted toward Right. It does not reach till the tip or apex of the heart, So the right ventricle is smaller
than the left ventricle.
• Left ventricle is more muscular and thick walled then right because it has to pump blood into
those arteries which distribute blood throughout the body while right ventricle has to pump
blood only to the lungs.
• Left ventricle is the largest chamber of heart.

16 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Vessels:
• Right Atrium: Receives one S.V.C., one I.V.C. and one opening of coronary sinus in man. SVC =
superior vena cava; IVC = inferior vena cava. The SVC & IVC bring deoxygenated blood from the
upper and lower body parts respectively. The Coronary sinus receives deoxygenated blood from
the Rt. & Lf. Coronary veins and drains it in the right atrium.
• Right Ventricle: Receives deoxygenated blood through right AV foramen from right atrium.
Drains the deoxygenated blood into pulmonary artery through which it reaches lungs for
oxygenation.
• Left Atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from lungs via pulmonary vein.
This oxygenated blood is drained into left ventricle through left AV foramen. In human four
pulmonary veins open into LA through separate openings.
• Left Ventricle: Drains pure blood into the Aorta from where it is supplied to systemic organs.

Walls:
• Atrium: The inner wall surface here presents a series of transverse muscular ridges called
musculi pectinati. They run forwards and downwards towards AV foramen, giving appearance
of the teeth of a comb (combed muscles).
• Ventricles: The inner wall is rough due to presence of muscular ridges trabeculae carnae or
columnae carnae. These continue as papillary muscles, whose one end is attached to the
ventricular wall and the other end connected to the cusps of AV valves by chordae tendinae.
These chorda tendinae are collagenous and inelastic chords, one end of which is inserted in the
papillary muscles and other end is connected to the flaps of AV valves. These are meant for
preventing the pushing of flaps into atrium during ventricular contraction.

Valves:
• Rt. Atrium: Its inlets are guarded with valves to prevent backflow of the blood. The IVC which
opens below this has its opening guarded by a valve called Eustachian valve (during embryonic
life the valve guides the inferior vena caval blood to the left atrium through foramen ovale). The
opening of coronary sinus in Rt Atrium is guarded by Thebesian valve.
• Lf. Atrium: At its inlet is pulmonary vein (four veins in man and two in rabbit), these have no
guarding valve.
• AV Foramen: The right AV foramen has a unidirectional valve called tricuspid valve (made of
three flaps or cusps) which allows entry of Blood from Rt. Atrium to Rt ventricle and prevents
its backflow. The unidirectional valve present on left AV foramen is made of two cusps only,
hence called bicuspid valve. (also called as the Mitral valve).
• Rt. Ventricle: Its outlet is in the pulmonary artery, it is guarded by a pulmonary semilunar valve.
• Lf. Ventricle: Its outlet is in the systemic aorta. This opening is guarded by an aortic semilunar
valve. Both these semilunar valves are made of three cusps each and are unidirectional in
nature.
The valves in the heart allows the flow of blood only in one direction from atria to the ventricles
from the ventricles to the pulmonary aorta and systemic aorta. These valves prevent any
backward flow.

Body Fluids and Circulation 17

 • Blood Supply of Heart (Coronary Circulation):
The oxygenated blood is supplied to the heart musculature for its consumption with the help
of two coronary arteries, left and right. These arteries arise from the common origin at arch of
aorta, the left and right coronary arteries then further subdivides into a number of branches
carrying blood to different regions of heart. The deoxygenated blood from heart walls return
back via coronary veins which drain into the coronary sinus. The coronary sinus opens in the
right atrium.

Golden Key Points

1. Total number of valves in human embryonic heart are six - Tricuspid, bicuspid, pulmonary
semilunar, aortic semilunar, Thebasian and Eustachian. Thebasian and Eustachian valves
merge into the musculature of their respective veins after birth.
2. In embryonic heart small opening, Foramen ovale is present at interatrial septum which
after birth is modified to Fossa ovalis.
3. In embryonic heart a small duct, Ductus arteriosus is present which connect pulmonary
artery and aorta, which after birth is modified to Ligamentum arteriosum.

Heart Beat
Differences between Neurogenic and Myogenic Hearts
Neurogenic Heart Myogenic Heart
(1) Impulse of heart beat comes from (1) The impulse of heart beat
outside the heart. develops within the heart.
(2) Impulse is generated by nervous (2) Impulse is generated by a special
system. muscular tissue.

e.g. Arthropods and some annelids. e.g. Molluscs and vertebrates

The Conducting System of Myogenic Heart:

18 Body Fluids and Circulation

 It is made of myocardium that is specialised for initiation and conduction of the cardiac impulse.
Its fibres are finer than other myocardial fibres, these are completely cross striated and possess
special nerve like properties (= self excitatory neuromuscular pathway).
The conducting system has the following parts:

• Speed of conduction is fastest in Purkinje fibres and slowest in AV node.

(1) Sinuatrial node (SA node). It is known as the “pacemaker” of the heart. It is present in right
upper corner of the right atrium. It generates impulses at the rate of about 70 – 75 per
minute and initiates heart beat.
(2) Internodal pathway that connects the SA node to the AV node.
(3) Atrioventricular node (AV Node). It is situated in the lower left corner of the right atrium
close to the atrioventricular septum.
(4) Bundle of His (AV Bundle). It is the connection between the atrial and ventricular
musculature. It begins at the AV node and then divides into left and right branches as it
descends down towards ventricles.
Branches of the AV bundle descends on the interventricular septum and is distributed to
the ventricle after dividing into Purkinje fibres.
(5) The Purkinje fibres. These are distributed through the endocardium of the ventricles and
propagate the impulse in the entire ventricle musculature.
• The SAN can generate the maximum number of action potentials, i.e., 70-75 min–1, and
is responsible for initiating and maintaining the rhythmic contractile activity of the heart.
Therefore, it is called the pacemaker. Our heart normally beats 70-75 times in a minute
(average 72 beats min–1).
• Rhythmic contraction and the relaxation of heart is called heart beat. Actually,
contraction and relaxation occur separately in atria and ventricles. However, ventricular
movements are quite prominent and forceful. Therefore, each heart beat is synonym
with ventricular or apex beat. It increases temporarily with activity and disease.
In animals heart beat is connected with size. In mammals, smaller animals have higher
heart beat.
Adult human : 72 per min.
Rabbit : 210 per min.
New born : 120 - 140 per min.

Note: Heart rate is higher in women, children and infants and lower in aged persons.

Body Fluids and Circulation 19

 Concept Builder

1. Exchange of nutrients, gases etc. between the blood and the cells always occurs through:
(1) Plasma (2) Tissue fluid (3) Interstitial fluid (4) Both (2) and (3)

2. Which of the following is incorrect about lymph?

(1) Lymph is an important carrier for nutrients, hormones etc.
(2) Fats are absorbed through lymph in the lacteals
(3) Lymph is a colourless fluid containing erythrocytes
(4) All are correct

3. In which of the following, two separate circulatory pathways are present?

(1) Amphibians & fishes (2) Fishes & reptiles (3) Reptiles & birds (4) Birds & mammals

4. Find out the incorrect statement:-

(1) Atrial systole increases the flow of blood into the ventricles by about 30 %
(2) During ventricular diastole, closure of semilunar valves prevent the backflow of blood into
the atrium
(3) Cardiac output of an athlete will be much higher than that of an ordinary man
(4) Heart sounds are of clinical diagnostic significance.

5. During joint diastole:-

(1) Tricuspid and bicuspid valves are open
(2) Semilunar valves are closed
(3) All the four chambers of heart are in a relaxed state.
(4) All of the above

6. Open circulatory system is present in:

(1) Annelids and Chordates (2) Annelids and Arthropods
(3) Arthropods and Chordates (4) Arthropods and Molluscs

7. During ventricular systole:

(1) Semilunar valves are closed
(2) About 30 percent blood is pumped into aorta from ventricles.
(3) Tricuspid and Bicuspid valves are closed
(4) Ventricular pressure declines

8. Which of the following is not represented in normal human ECG?

(1) Depolarisation of atria (2) Depolarisation of ventricles
(3) Repolarisation of atria (4) Repolarisation of ventricles

Concept Builder (Answer-Key)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Ans. 4 3 4 2 4 4 3 3

20 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Cardiac Cycle
• To begin with, all the four chambers of heart are in a relaxed state, i.e., they are in joint diastole.
As the tricuspid and bicuspid valves are open, blood from the pulmonary veins and vena cava flows
into the left and the right ventricle respectively through the left and right atria. The semilunar
valves are closed at this stage.
• The SAN now generates an action potential which stimulates both the atria to undergo a
simultaneous contraction – the atrial systole. This increases the flow of blood into the ventricles
by about 30 per cent. The action potential is conducted to the ventricular side by the AVN and AV
bundle from where the bundle of His transmits it through the entire ventricular musculature. This
causes the ventricular muscles to contract, (ventricular systole), the atria undergoes relaxation
(diastole), coinciding with the ventricular systole. Ventricular systole increases the ventricular
pressure causing the closure of tricuspid and bicuspid valves due to attempted backflow of blood
into the atria.
• As the ventricular pressure increases further, the semilunar valves guarding the pulmonary artery
(right side) and the aorta (left side) are forced open, allowing the blood in the ventricles to flow
through these vessels into the circulatory pathways. The ventricles now relax (ventricular diastole)
and the ventricular pressure falls causing the closure of semilunar valves which prevents the
backflow of blood into the ventricles. As the ventricular pressure declines further, the tricuspid
and bicuspid valves are pushed open by the pressure in the atria exerted by the blood which was
being emptied into them by the veins. The blood now once again moves freely to the ventricles.
The ventricles and atria are now again in a relaxed (joint diastole) state, as earlier. Soon the SAN
generates a new action potential and the events described above are repeated in that sequence
and the process continues.
• This sequential event in the heart which is cyclically repeated is called the cardiac cycle and it
consists of systole and diastole of both the atria and ventricles. As mentioned earlier, the heart
beats 72 times per minute, i.e., that many cardiac cycles are performed per minute. From this it
could be deduced that the duration of a cardiac cycle is 0.8 seconds. During a cardiac cycle, each
ventricle pumps out approximately 70 mL of blood which is called the stroke volume. The stroke
volume multiplied by the heart rate (no. of beats per min.) gives the cardiac output. Therefore, the
cardiac output can be defined as the volume of blood pumped out by each ventricle per minute
and averages 5000 mL or 5 litres in a healthy individual. The body has the ability to alter the stroke
volume as well as the heart rate and thereby the cardiac output. For example, the cardiac output
of an athlete will be much higher than that of an ordinary man.
• During each cardiac cycle two prominent sounds are produced which can be easily heard through
a stethoscope. The first heart sound (lub) is associated with the closure of the tricuspid and
bicuspid valves whereas the second heart sound (dub) is associated with the closure of the
semilunar valves. These sounds are of clinical diagnostic significance.

Body Fluids and Circulation 21

 • In a single cardiac cycle of man:
(1) Atrial systole = 0.1 sec
(2) Atrial diastole = 0.7 sec.
(3) Ventricular systole = 0.3 sec
(4) Ventricular diastole = 0.5 sec

Volumes of Blood Related with Cardiac Cycle:

• During diastole, filling of the ventricles normally increases the volume of each ventricle to about
120 mililitres. This volume is known as End Diastolic Volume (EDV).
• Stroke volume. i.e. the volume of blood pumped by each ventricle in the aorta in one heart beat
or one cardiac cycle. Its value is 70 ml.
• The remaining volume in each ventricle is now about 50 millilitres is called End Systolic Volume (ESV).
• Stroke Volume = EDV – ESV = 70 ml (approx).
• The fraction of the end diastolic volume which is ejected out is called the Ejection Fraction.
(usually around 60% or 7/12). EF = SV/EDV
• Cardiac output it is the amount of blood pumped by the each ventricle per minute. Its value in
a normal adult is about 5 litre/minute.
Cardiac output = stroke volume × heart rate.
= 70 × 72  5 lit.
• The body is able to alter the stroke volume as well as the heart rate and thereby the cardiac
output. As for example, the cardiac output of an athlete will be much higher than that of an
ordinary man.
Heart Sounds:
• During each cardiac cycle two prominent sounds are produced.
• These “Lubb” and “Dub” sounds of the heart can be heard with the help of an instrument called
”Stethoscope”
• Due to defects in heart valves an abnormal heart sound is produced called HEART MURMUR.

22 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• It is a graphical representation of the electric activity of the heart during a cardiac cycle, the
instrument used to obtain the ECG is called electrocardiograph.

Standard ECG
• To obtain standard ECG a patient is connected to the machine with three electrical leads (one to
each wrist and to the left ankle) that continuously monitor the heart activity.
• For a detailed evaluation of the heart’s function, multiple leads are attached to the chest region.
• Standard ECG includes some characteristic peaks denoted by P, QRS and T letter that corresponds
to a specific electrical activity of the heart.

Peaks and their Interpretations:

• P wave: Depolarisation in atria (Beginning of atrial systole).
• QRS Complex: Depolarisation in ventricles (Beginning of ventricular systole).
• T waves: Repolarisation in ventricle (Beginning of ventricular diastole and joint diastole).
• By counting the numbers of QRS complexes that occur in a given time period, heart beat
rate can be determined.
• Since ECG obtained from different individuals have roughly the same shape for same lead
configuration, any deviation in the shape indicates a possible abnormality or disease, which
is why it is of a great clinical significance.

Regulation of Heart Beat:

Centre for heart beat Regulation is located in medulla oblongata. (Brain stem).
(a) Nervous Control:
• The “Cardiac-centre” (neural centre) which regulates heart-beat is found in Medulla-
oblongata of the brain it can moderate the cardiac function through ANS. This cardiac-
centre has two units.
(i) Cardio-accelerator centre.
(ii) Cardio-inhibitory centre.
• From the cardio-acceleratory centre, a pair of sympathetic nerves go into the S.A. node,
Neural signals through the sympathetic nerves can increase the rate of heart beat, the
strength of ventricular contraction and there by cardiac output.
• While the cardio-inhibitory centre sends impulses to the S.A. node through cardiac branch
of Vagus-nerve. From the parasympathetic nerve-fibres, hormone Acetyl-choline is secreted
which decrease the heart rate, speed of conduction of action potential and the cardiac
output.
(b) Hormonal control: Adrenal medulla hormone (Adrenaline, nor adrenaline) and Thyroxine
hormone of thyroid gland increase heart rate and the cardiac output.

Body Fluids and Circulation 23

 Hormonal control Adrenaline –  Rate
Nor adrenaline –  Rate
Thyroxine –  Rate
Autonomic Nervous System Sympathetic –  Rate
Parasympathetic –  Rate
Vagal stimulation releases Acetyl choline –  Rate

Tachycardia Bradycardia
It is the condition where heart rate It is the condition where the heart rate falls
exceeds 90 per minute in an average adult. below 60 per minute in an average adult.
Common causes of tachycardia : Common causes of bradycardia :
(i) Temperature (i) Temperature
(ii) Stimulation by sympathetic nerves (ii) Stimulation by parasympathetic Vagus
(iii) Weak condition of the heart (iii) Stronger condition of the heart.
(iv) Shock/loss of blood
(v) Exercise

Blood Pressure:
• Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by the flowing blood on the elastic walls of arteries.
Blood pressure is measured in two stages.
(1) Systolic Pressure (Pumping Pressure): It is the higher limit of blood pressure that shows the state
of heart (systole) contraction. for man this limit is 120 mm Hg (normal).
(2) Diastolic Pressure (Resting Pressure): It is the lower limit of B.P. that shows the state of heart
relaxation (expansion = Diastole). For man this limit is 80 mm Hg (normal).
• The instrument by which we can measure B.P. is called sphygmomanometer.
• In man B.P. is measured in the brachial artery of arm. or in radial artery.
[Normal B.P. of a healthy person is 120/80 mm Hg]
Age: B.P. increases as the age advances.
• Pulse: The pulse is felt in the radial artery present in the wrist of a man. It is also felt in the artery
of neck region. The graph of pulse of an artery is marked by an instrument that is called
sphygmograph.
• Pulse pressure is the Pressure difference which generates a pulse.
Pulse Pressure = Systolic Pressure - Diastolic Pressure.
Disorders Related to the Circulatory System:
• High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Hypertension is the term for blood pressure that is higher than
normal. A blood pressure of 120/80 is considered normal. In this measurement, 120 mm Hg
(millimetres of mercury) is the systolic, or pumping, pressure and 80 mm Hg is the diastolic, or
resting, pressure. If repeated checks of blood pressure of an individual is 140/90 or higher, it shows
hypertension which leads to heart diseases and also affects vital organs like brain and kidney.
• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Coronary Artery Disease, often referred to as atherosclerosis,
affects the vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. It is caused due to the depositions of
calcium, fat, cholesterol and fibrous tissues in the arteries supplying the heart musculature. These
depositions make the lumen of arteries narrower.

24 Body Fluids and Circulation

 • Angina Pectoris: A symptom of acute chest pain appears when no enough oxygen is reaching the
heart muscle. The term angina pectoris means chest pain. It can occur both in men and women of
any age but is more common among the middle aged and elderly people. It occurs due to conditions
that affect the blood flow.
• Heart Failure: Heart failure means the state of heart when it is not pumping blood effectively
enough to meet the needs of the body. It is sometimes called congestive heart failure because
congestion of the lungs is one of the main symptoms of this disease. Heart failure is not the same
as cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating) or a heart attack (when the heart muscle is
suddenly damaged by an inadequate blood supply).
• Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Heart attack occurs when the heart muscles are suddenly
damaged by an inadequate blood supply.
• Heart - Block: When A.V. Node gets damaged, so contractions do not reach up to ventricles this
event is called heart block.
• Cardiac Arrest: Cardiac arrest means complete stoppage of the heart beat i.e., when the heart stops
beating.

Blood Vessels:
In closed type of blood vascular system blood vessels are of 3 types:
(1) Arteries (2) Veins (3) Capillaries
• Capillaries are present in the organs, and these are the vessels through which exchange takes
place.
Anatomy of Arteries and Veins: Normally there are three layers are found in the walls of blood
vessels.
(i) Tunica Externa: It is the outer most layer. It is formed of loose connective tissue in which
many collagen fibres, elastin fibres and longitudinal muscles are found.
(ii) Tunica Media: It is a thick layer of circular non striated muscles and a network of elastin
fibres.
(iii) Tunica Interna: This layer is made up of squamous epithelium. It is also known as
Endothelium.
• In the walls of blood capillaries only endothelium layer is found. Its cells are flat and
squamous. Their walls are perforated. These blood capillaries join the arteries with the veins.
Main differences in arteries and veins:

Body Fluids and Circulation 25

 Artery Vein
(1) It carries blood from the heart to the (1) It carries blood from organs to the
organs. heart.
(2) All the arteries carry pure blood (2) All the veins carry impure blood
except pulmonary artery which except pulmonary vein which
carries impure blood. carries pure blood.
(3) Blood flows with a high pressure & (3) In the vein, blood flows with a low
speed. pressure & speed.
(4) Arteries are deeply situated in the (4) Veins are superficial just below the
body. skin.
(5) Their lumen is constricted. (5) Their lumen is wide.

(6) Valves are absent in the walls of (6) Walls of veins contain valves.
arteries.
(7) Their tunica media layer is much (7) Their tunica media layer of wall is
thicker as compared to veins. thinner as compared to arteries.

26 Body Fluids and Circulation

 The interrelationship of cross-sectional area of blood vessels, blood flow velocity and blood
pressure. As a result of an increase in total cross-sectional area, blood flow velocity decreases
markedly in the arterioles and is lowest in the capillaries Blood pressure, the main force driving
blood from the heart to the capillaries, is highest in the aorta and other arteries.

Portal System:
When the vein of any organ of the body does not open in the caval vein or heart but it divides into
capillaries in any other organ and its blood is transported by vein of that other organs to the heart,
then this type of system is termed as portal system.
It is of following types:
(i) Renal portal system
(ii) Hepatic portal system
(iii) Hypophysial portal system
(i) Renal Portal System:
Veins which collect blood from posterior parts of the body and legs combine to form a renal portal
vein. This vein goes into kidney and divides into capillaries kidneys separate nitrogenous wastes
from this blood.
• In mammals, renal portal system is absent.
• In Frog both the portal systems; renal portal system and hepatic portal system are present.
(ii) Hepatic Portal System:
It is a portal system which brings venous blood directly from digestive tract, spleen, pancreas and
gall bladder to liver for extraction of nutrients and other metabolites by breaking up into single
celled thick capillaries and sinusoids.

Body Fluids and Circulation 27

(iii) Hypophysial Portal System:
It is portal system formed by a vein from hypothalamus which breaks up into capillaries in ant. lobe
of pituitary gland (Adenohypophysis). The Vein is called hypophysial portal vein. Hypothalamus
produces a number or hormones for controlling endocrine activity of adenohypophysis.

Spleen:
• Spleen is known to be the largest lymph node of body. It is the blood bank of the body.
• Spleen is also called “Graveyard of RBC”.
• Spleen originates from embryonal mesoderm.
• Spleen is red-coloured lymph node, it is found attached by mesentery to the lateral side of
stomach.
Functions of Spleen:
1. Its macrophages engulf or phagocytize and destroy worn-out blood cells, pathogens, cell debris etc.
2. In the embryonal stage it produces RBCs.
3. Some antibodies are synthesised here.
4. Spleen stores iron.
5. [Spleen + liver + kidneys] These three are called blood filter apparatus of blood.
6. Dead – RBC filtering apparatus = Spleen + liver.

Concept Builder

1. Normal activities of the heart are:

(1) Regulated extrinsically (2) Auto regulated
(3) regulated by specialised nodal nerves (4) All are correct

2. If heart receive parasympathetic neural signals, It will:

(1) Increase the rate of heart beat
(2) Increase the speed of conduction of action potential
(3) decrease the cardiac output
(4) Increase strength of ventricular contraction

3. Which of the following disorder of circulatory system affects the vessels that supply blood to
the heart muscle?
(1) Hypertension (2) Heart failure
(3) Coronary artery disease (4) Cardiac arrythmia

4. Narrow lumen of arteries with deposition of calcium, fat & cholesterol is significant with which
disorder:
(1) High blood pressure (2) Atherosclerosis
(3) Heart attack (4) Congestive heart failure

5. If parasympathetic nerve of the Human is cut then heart beat will:

(1) Unaffected (2) Decreases (3) Increases (4) Stop

28 Body Fluids and Circulation

 6. Blood bank of the body is -
(1) Bone marrow
(2) Spleen
(3) Liver
(4) All of the above

7. Hepatic portal system connects:

(1) Digestive system to liver (2) Kidney to liver
(3) Liver to heart (4) Liver to kidney

8. Which one indicates the hypertension?

(1) 90/60 mm of Hg (2) 120/85 mm of Hg
(3) 110/70 mm of Hg (4) 140/100 mm of Hg

Concept Builder (Answer-Key)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Ans. 2 3 3 2 3 2 1 4

Body Fluids and Circulation 29

 Exercise – I
Single Correct Type Questions

1. Which of the following is used in measuring blood pressure?

(A) Potometer (B) Sphygmomanometer
(C) Barometer (D) Potometer

2. An artery is a vessel that carries blood

(A) with high concentration of oxygen (B) with high concentration of CO2
(C) away from the heart (D) both A & C

3. Valves are found in veins to check the backflow of blood flowing under
(A) high pressure (B) low pressure
(C) no pressure (D) atmospheric pressure.

4. In the cardiac cycle, diastole is

(A) the number of heart beats per minute
(B) the relaxation period after contraction of the heart
(C) the forceful pumping action of the heart
(D) the contraction period after relaxation of the heart

5. One of the difference between blood and lymph is that

(A) blood has RBCs and WBCs while lymph has lymphocytes
(B) blood has RBCs while lymph has no WBCs
(C) blood has WBCs while lymph has RBCs
(D) blood has dissolved organic salts while lymph has no such inorganic salt

6. Blood vessel carrying blood from lung to heart through

(A) Pulmonary artery (B) Pulmonary vein
(C) Coronary artery (D) None of these

7. Mammals are said to have double circulation ,it means

(A) Blood vessels are paired
(B) There are two types of blood vessels attached to every organ
(C) There are two systems,
(D) The blood circulates twice through the heart

8. The first heart sound is produced when :

(A) intraventricular pressure decreases
(B) semilunar valve snaps shut
(C) bicuspid and tricuspid valve close quickly
(D) diastole begins

30 Body Fluids and Circulation

 9. Plasma is a straw coloured, viscous fluid constituting nearly ____ % of blood –
(A) 55 (B) 45 (C) 90 (D) 10

10. The amount of water present in blood plasma is –

(A) 99% (B) 90-92% (C) 10% (D) 55%

11. I. Proteins contribute 6 - 8% of the blood plasma

II. Plasma is red coloured fluid.
III. Plasma without the clotting factors is called serum.
IV Glucose, amino acids, lipids, etc., are also present in the plasma as they are always in transit
in the body.
Of the above statements –
(A) All are correct (B) Only II is false
(C) Only I, III, IV is correct (D) All are false

12. In case of emergency which blood group could be safely transfused?

(A) AB Rh- (B) AB Rh+ (C) O Rh- (D) O Rh+

13. Which of the following is expected if husband is Rh+ and wife is Rh-?
(A) No problem with 1st pregnancy
(B) Problem would be expected with future pregnancies
(C) Both of the above
(D) No problem could be expected in any pregnancy

14. Which of the following statements is correct?

(A) Rh compatibility must be tested before pregnancy establishment and blood transfusion
(B) Rh antibodies can cross placenta
(C) At the time of 1st delivery some of Rh + RB Cs from the baby (Rh+) mix the mother's blood
(Rh-) due to tear in placenta mother's blood for Rh-antibodies
(D) All of the above

15. Semilunar valves close when:

(A) Ventricular pressure rises (B) Atrial pressure rises
(C) Ventricular pressure falls (D) Atrial pressure falls

16. The maximum blood pressure is found in:

(A) Left ventricle (B) Right ventricle (C) Left atrium (D) Right atrium

17. Vasoconstriction causes:

(A) Increase in heart beat (B) Decrease in heart beat
(C) Increase in blood pressure (D) Decrease in blood pressure

Body Fluids and Circulation 31

18. Identify A, B and C in the given below blood clotting process.

Options:
A B C
(A) Thrombo- Prothrombin Fibrinogen
plastin
(B) Thrombin Fibrinogen Thrombo-
Kinase
(C) Thrombo- Thrombin Fibrinogen
plastin
(D) Prothrombin Thrombin Fibrinogen

19. Read the following statements and choose the correct option.
Statement-1: Atria receive blood from all parts of the body which subsequently flows to
ventricles.
Statement-2: Action potential generated at sino-atrial node passes from atria to ventricles Through AV
node.
(A) Action mentioned in statement-1 is dependent on action mentioned in statement-2.
(B) Action mentioned in statement-2 is dependent on action mentioned in statement-1.
(C) Action mentioned in statement-1 and 2 are independent of each other.
(D) Action mentioned in statement-1 and 2 are synchronous.

20. Mark the pair of substances among the following which is essential for coagulation of blood.
(A) Heparin and calcium ions (B) Calcium ions and platelet factors
(C) Oxalates and citrates (D) Platelet factors and heparin

21. Match the following columns and select the correct option.

Column-I Column-II
(a) Eosinophils (i) Immune response

(b) Basophils (ii) Phagocytosis

(c) Neutrophils (iii) Release histaminase,
destructive enzymes
(d) Lymphocytes (iv) Release granules
containing histamine
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) (iv) (i) (ii) (iii)
(B) (i) (ii) (iv) (iii)
(C) (ii) (i) (iii) (iv)
(D) (iii) (iv) (ii) (i)

32 Body Fluids and Circulation

 22. Given below are two statements:
Statement I:
The coagulum is formed of network of threads called thrombins.
Statement II:
Spleen is the graveyard of erythrocytes.
In the light of the above statement, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given
below:
(A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(B) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
(D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

23. All the components of the nodal tissue are autoexcitable. Why does the SA node act as the
normal pacemaker?
(A) SA node has the lowest rate of depolarisation.
(B) SA node is the only component to generate the threshold potential.
(C) Only SA node can convey the action potential to the other components.
(D) SA node has the highest rate of depolarisation.

24. A specialised nodal tissue embedded in the lower corner of the right atrium, close to Atrio-
ventricular septum, delays the spreading of impulses to heart apex for about 0.1 sec. The delay
allows.
(A) Blood to enter aorta. (B) The ventricles to empty completely.
(C) Blood to enter pulmonary arteries. (D) The atria to empty completely.

25. Find the correct statement for WBCs

(A) They carry oxygen
(B) Produced only in the thymus
(C) Do not contain a nucleus
(D) Can squeeze through blood capillaries

26. When the right ventricle contracts the blood pumps in to:
(A) Superior vena cava (B) Dorsal aorta
(C) Pulmonary artery (D) Pulmonary veins

27. The blood leaving the lungs is richer than the blood entering the lung in:
(A) Oxygen (B) CO2 (C) Hydrogen (D) Moisture

28. Purkinje fibres are found in:

(A) Brain (B) Liver (C) Eyes (D) Heart

29. In children, heart rate is:

(A) More than adult (B) Less than adult (C) Equal to adult (D) None of these

Body Fluids and Circulation 33

30. The wall of Human heart is thick due to presence of:
(A) Inner layer endocardium (B) Middle layer myocardium
(C) Outer most layer pericardium (D) Outer layer epicardium

31. Blood vessel which brings oxygenated blood to left auricle is:
(A) Precaval vein (B) Post caval vein (C) Pulmonary vein (D) Pulmonary artery

32. Ventricular contraction takes place in command of:

(A) S.A. Node (B) A.V. Node (C) Purkinje fibers (D) Papillary muscles

33. Which of the following statements are incorrect about the veins?
Statement 1: Veins usually carry oxygenated blood
Statement 2: Veins carry blood from different organs of the body to the heart
Statement 3: Pulmonary vein is an exception as it carries deoxygenated blood
(A) Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect (B) Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect
(C) Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect (D) All the statements are incorrect

34. The circulation of blood between the heart and lungs is called ⸻
(A) Double circulation (B) Systemic circulation
(C) Pulmonary circulation (D) Coronary circulation

35. The second heart sound (dubb) is associated with the closure of
(A) Tricuspid valve (B) Semilunar valves
(C) Bicuspid valve (D) Tricuspid and bicuspid valves.

36. Cardiac activity could be moderated by the autonomous neural system. Tick the correct answer
(A) The parasympathetic system stimulates heart rate and stroke volume
(B) The sympathetic system stimulates heart rate and stroke volume
(C) The parasympathetic system decreases the heart rate but increase stroke volume
(D) The sympathetic system decreases the heart rate but increase stroke volume

37. Tricupsid valve is found in between

(A) Sinus venosus and right atrium (B) Right atrium and right ventricle
(C) Left ventricle and left atrium (D) Ventricle and aorta

38. Chordae tendinae are found in:

(A) Ventricles of brain (B) Ventricles of heart
(C) Atria of heart (D) Connection between bone

39. Which has the thickest wall:

(A) Right auricle (B) Left auricle (C) Right ventricle (D) Left ventricle

34 Body Fluids and Circulation

 40. Number of valves presents in human heart:
(A) 1 (B) 6 (C) 4 (D) 3

41. Opening of the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery and left ventricle to the aorta is provided
with:
(A) Bicuspid valve (B) Tricuspid valve (C) Semilunar valve (D) All of these

42. The wall of the ventricles are much thicker than that of atrium because:
(A) It has to pump the blood (B) It has to receive the blood
(C) It is present below the atrium (D) It has to store the blood

43. The pace maker in heart is:

(A) SA Node (B) AV Node (C) Conus arterious (D) Heart muscles

44. How many nodes are found in heart of Human:

(A) One (B) Two (C) Many (D) All of these

45. Choose the correct pathway of the transmission of impulses in the heart beat :
(A) AV node → S A node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibres
(B) SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibres
(C) SA node → Bundle of His → AV node → Purkinje fibres
(D) AV node → Bundle of His → SA node → Purkinje fibres

46. Impulse of heart beat originates from -

(A) S. A. Node (B) A. V. Node (C) Vagus Nerve (D) Cardiac Nerve

47. Which nodal fibres lies along the right and left ventricles:
(A) Bundle of his (B) Purkinje fibre (C) Neural tissue (D) Cardiac tissue fibre

48. Autoexitable fibres/nodes are called:

(A) Nodal musculature (B) Cardiac nerves
(C) Neurons (D) All of these

49. Pacemaker is:

(A) Instrument for measuring the heart beat
(B) Instrument for measuring the pulse beat
(C) AV node that provides impulse for the heart beat
(D) Sino atrial node that provides impulse for the heart beat

50. Heart of human is:

(A) Myogenic (B) Neurogenic (C) 3 chambered (D) All the above

Body Fluids and Circulation 35

 Exercise - II
Multiple Correct Type Questions

1. Which of the following events does not take place during the ventricular systole?
(A) Due to the ventricular systole, ventricular pressure decreases
(B) During the end of ventricular systole, the semilunar valves open up
(C) During the start of the ventricular systole, the bicuspid and tricuspid valves close
(D) Due to the closure of the atrioventricular valves, dub sound is produced

2. What are the factors influencing blood pressure regulation in humans?

(A) Cardiac output
(B) Blood volume
(C) Blood vessel elasticity
(D) Respiratory rate

3. What are the functions of the lymphatic system in animals?

(A) Fluid balance (B) CO2 transport
(C) Immune defense (D) Oxygen transport

4. Which blood components contribute to the clotting process?

(A) Platelets (B) Red blood cells (C) Plasma (D) White blood cells

5. Deposition of plaque in the blood vessels causes atherosclerosis. The plaque is due to the
deposition of
(A) Calcium (B) Fat (C) Fibrous tissue (D) Sodium

6. What is not true about vein:

(A) All veins carry deoxygenated blood
(B) All veins carry oxygenated blood
(C) They carry blood from organs towards heart
(D) They carry blood from heart towards organs

7. Which among the following is correct during each cardiac cycle?

(A) The volume of blood pumped out by the Rt and Lf ventricles is same.
(B) The volume of blood pumped out by the Rt and Lf ventricles is different
(C) The volume of blood received by each atrium is different
(D) The volume of blood received by the aorta and pulmonary artery is different.

8. Given below are four statement (a-d) regarding human blood circulatory system. Which of the
following statement/s is/are true:
(A) Arteries are thick-walled and have narrow lumen as compared to veins.
(B) Angina is acute chest pain when the blood circulation to the brain is reduced
(C) Persons with blood group AB can donate blood to any person with any blood group under
ABO system.
(D) Calcium ions play a very important role in blood clotting.

36 Body Fluids and Circulation

 9. Indicate incorrect statement for Human:
(A) Arteries always carry oxygenated blood while veins always carry deoxygenated blood
(B) Venous blood is returned to left auricle
(C) Arteries are provided with valves while veins are devoid to valves.
(D) Arteries always carry blood away from the heart, while veins always carry blood towards
the heart.

10. Adult human RBCs are enucleate. Which of the following statement(s) is/are most appropriate
explanation for this feature?
(A) They do not need to reproduce
(B) They are somatic cells
(C) They do not metabolize
(D) All their internal space is available for oxygen transport

Body Fluids and Circulation 37

 Exercise – III
Previous Year Question

1. Which of the following sequence depicts the flow of blood in human circulatory system?
(IJSO Stage-I/ 2015)

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

2. How many times would a red blood cell pass through the heart during one complete cycle?
(IJSO Stage-I/ 2016)
(A) Once (B) Twice (C) 4 times (D) 72 times

3. Four different human body fluid samples were subjected to quantification of hydrogen ion
concentration. mEq/L is the unit of measurement for hydrogen ion concentration. The results
of the experiment were as follows: (IJSO Stage-I/ 2019)
Sample A : 1.6 X 10 units Sample B : 4.5 X 10 units
2 –5

Sample C: 1 X 10–3 units Sample D : 3 X 10-2 units

Identify the samples in sequence from A to D
(A) Gastric HCI, Venous blood, Intracellular Fluid, Urine
(B) Venous blood, Intracellular Fluid, Gastric HCI, Urine
(C) Urine, Gastric HCI, Venous blood, Intracellular Fluid
(D) Intracellular Fluid, Urine, Gastric HCI, Venous blood

4. Which of the following is not a function of mature RBCs? (IJSO Stage-1 / 2022)
(A) Help in classifying blood in different blood groups
(B) Helps in transport of gases
(C) Synthesis of immunoglobulins
(D) Help in maintaining acid base balance in the body

38 Body Fluids and Circulation

 Answer key

Exercise - I

Single Correct Type Questions

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. B D B B A B D C A B
Que. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. C C C D C A C C A B
Que. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. D D D D D C A D A B
Que. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Ans. C A B C B B B B D C
Que. 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Ans. C A A B B A A A D A

Exercise - II

Multiple Correct Type Questions

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. A,D A,B,C A,C A,C A,B,C A,B,D B,C,D A,D A,B,C D

Exercise - III

Previous Year Questions

Que. 1 2 3 4
Ans. A B A C

Body Fluids and Circulation 39