CHAPTER 30.1 – 30.2 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems

Here are the 3 main concepts for today How the respiratory and circulatory systems are both trying to maintain homeostasis. How the respiratory system moves gases into and out of the blood. How the circulatory system moves blood all around the body.

Circulatory Circulatory system – the body system that transports blood and other materials around the body. Respiratory system – body system in which gas exchange takes place. Both of these work with each other to maintain your body’s activity level.

Lungs Function of the resp. system is to bring oxygen into the body and help carbon dioxide exit the body. When air enters the body through the mouth and nose, mucus around those opens moistens (and warms) the air. Cilia in these areas help catch particulates. Tube that runs from mouth to lungs is called trachea. Alveoli are the organs where gas exchange occurs and where we see many capillaries as well.

Epiglottis This is the “flap” that makes sure you don’t mix materials with your breathing path. Trachea looks like a vacuum hose with C-shaped rings around the tube. Will branch off into two bronchi, one for each lung. Lung is the organ that absorbs Oxygen from the air.

Your Blood **** Your blood is made up of different components. Red blood cells – carry oxygen White blood cells – fight infection “formed elements” – iron, calcium, etc… Plasma – water/sodium (from salt)/proteins Platelets – clump together to form clots.

Blood Vessels **** Arteries – blood vessels that moves blood AWAY from the heart. Veins – blood vessels that move blood TOWARD the heart Capillaries – tiny blood vessels that transport blood to and from cells around the body. This is where arteries and veins meet and change roles.

Notice the vein

Capillary bed

Transport **** Blood is important because oxygen travels on red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (iron-rich protein) that allows oxygen to attach. This also gives blood it’s red color. Carbon Dioxide can also attach to blood so it can exit the body.

Gas Exchange Oxygen and carbon dioxide flow into and out of the alveoli by the process of diffusion. Remember this is movement of material from high concentration to low concentration. The capillaries that are in the lungs allow this gas exchange to take place, as well as all around the body.

Your Heart Remember your heart is 4 chambered and does two different pumps. Atrium – two upper and smaller chambers of your heart Ventricles – two lower and larger chambers of your heart Valves – small flaps that control how blood flows inside of the heart.

Blood Flow Blood flows from your right atrium to your right ventricle. Then goes from right ventricle to lungs. Then from lungs to left atrium. Then left atrium to left ventricle. Then left ventricle to the body. Finally, from body back to the right atrium.

Heart Beat These pumps are caused by contractions of your heart muscles due to electrical signals. These electrical signals are generated by the sinoatrial node (pacemaker). These signals travels through special nerves that help stimulate the muscle fibers called Perkinje Fibers.

Heart Problems Heart Attack  This is when the arteries that give blood to the heart tissues themselves become clotted. When this happens you can see heart tissue die, causing permanent damage to heart. Heart disease  Condition of the heart and circulatory system where there are higher risks for clotting because of buildup of plack in the arteries.

Heart problems Stroke  When plack buildup causes a clot to form in the brain, causing brain tissue to die off and could likely cause permanent damage or death quickly.