Science 8: Unit B: Systems and Cells Topic 7: Body Systems and Your Health

The Importance of the Circulatory System All nutrients are brought to a cell through the network of blood vessels in the circulatory system. All nutrients are brought to a cell through the network of blood vessels in the circulatory system. Blood is the material which these materials move through. Blood is the material which these materials move through. Blood is 55% plasma (liquid close to water), 44% red blood cells (carries oxygen and carbon dioxide), white blood cells (fight infections), and platelets which form clots. Blood is 55% plasma (liquid close to water), 44% red blood cells (carries oxygen and carbon dioxide), white blood cells (fight infections), and platelets which form clots.

Red Blood Cells Contain a chemical called hemoglobin. Contain a chemical called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is made up of iron, which is why you need iron in your diet. Hemoglobin is made up of iron, which is why you need iron in your diet. Hemoglobin is reddish in color and it is this which gives red blood cells and blood itself its red color Hemoglobin is reddish in color and it is this which gives red blood cells and blood itself its red color

Disorders of the Circulatory System Are the leading cause of death in North America. Are the leading cause of death in North America. Includes hypertension (high blood pressure). This can lead to heart attacks where part of the heart muscle is damaged or destroyed, and strokes, where a lack of blood supply to the brain causes part of it to die. Includes hypertension (high blood pressure). This can lead to heart attacks where part of the heart muscle is damaged or destroyed, and strokes, where a lack of blood supply to the brain causes part of it to die.

Blood Pressure Continued Blood pressure is a good indicator of the overall health of the circulatory system. Blood pressure is a good indicator of the overall health of the circulatory system. Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer (the cuff with the bulb that you squeeze). Blood pressure is measured with a sphygmomanometer (the cuff with the bulb that you squeeze). High blood pressure results from a number of causes: eating too many fatty or salty foods, eating foods high in a chemical called cholesterol, smoking, or having a stressful job. High blood pressure results from a number of causes: eating too many fatty or salty foods, eating foods high in a chemical called cholesterol, smoking, or having a stressful job. High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder, enlarging and potentially causing it to stop working (cardiac arrest). High blood pressure causes your heart to work harder, enlarging and potentially causing it to stop working (cardiac arrest).

How to Keep Your Circulatory System Healthy I. Eat healthy. By eating healthy, you will prevent your blood vessels from getting blocked. This keeps your blood pressure at a low rate. I. Eat healthy. By eating healthy, you will prevent your blood vessels from getting blocked. This keeps your blood pressure at a low rate. II. Exercise regularly. This improves your overall health and reduces stress. II. Exercise regularly. This improves your overall health and reduces stress. III. Don’t Smoke. This will keep your blood vessels healthy and keep blood pressure at a healthy level. III. Don’t Smoke. This will keep your blood vessels healthy and keep blood pressure at a healthy level.

A Healthy Digestive System The body needs the following materials to survive: The body needs the following materials to survive: Carbohydrates, Fats - Energy, and stored energy. Carbohydrates, Fats - Energy, and stored energy. Protein, Vitamins, Minerals - Growth and repair of tissues, proper functioning of cells. Protein, Vitamins, Minerals - Growth and repair of tissues, proper functioning of cells. Water - For multiple reasons. Water - For multiple reasons.

Carbohydrates Are the essential fuel cells need for energy. Most carbohydrates take the form of sugars and starches. Are the essential fuel cells need for energy. Most carbohydrates take the form of sugars and starches. Starches are complex, big sugars that can be broken down into many sugar particles. Starches are complex, big sugars that can be broken down into many sugar particles. Our digestive system converts all carbohydrates to glucose (blood sugar) if needed for energy or to fat if it can be stored. Our digestive system converts all carbohydrates to glucose (blood sugar) if needed for energy or to fat if it can be stored.

Digestive System Disorders Fibre is a necessary part of our diet even if our bodies cannot digest it. Fibre is a necessary part of our diet even if our bodies cannot digest it. Because fibre is so dry, it attracts water into the large intestine through osmosis, helping to soften up the feces and make the elimination of wastes easier. Because fibre is so dry, it attracts water into the large intestine through osmosis, helping to soften up the feces and make the elimination of wastes easier. Without fibre, the feces sits in our intestines and irritates the intestine wall leading to problems such as constipation, appendicitis, and possibly colon cancer. Without fibre, the feces sits in our intestines and irritates the intestine wall leading to problems such as constipation, appendicitis, and possibly colon cancer.

Ulcers Ulcers are the result of living a high-stress lifestyle, and/or smoking, excessive drinking, or drug abuse (aspirin). Ulcers are the result of living a high-stress lifestyle, and/or smoking, excessive drinking, or drug abuse (aspirin). A Peptic ulcer occurs when the protective mucus lining of your stomach or intestine is worn away and not replaced. The acid in these organs eats away at the wall, and is damaged. A Peptic ulcer occurs when the protective mucus lining of your stomach or intestine is worn away and not replaced. The acid in these organs eats away at the wall, and is damaged. Ulcers need to be cured by antibiotics. Ulcers need to be cured by antibiotics.

Respiratory System Health Your respiratory system is lined by tiny hair-like projections called cilia. They work as a filter, removing dust and debris from entering your lungs. Your respiratory system is lined by tiny hair-like projections called cilia. They work as a filter, removing dust and debris from entering your lungs. Pollutants such as cigarette smoke irritate this filtration system and cause the lungs to produce more mucus, causing more irritation to the cilia cells. This condition is called bronchitis. Pollutants such as cigarette smoke irritate this filtration system and cause the lungs to produce more mucus, causing more irritation to the cilia cells. This condition is called bronchitis.

Bronchitis > Emphysema If the irritation continues, the cilia cells will start dying, and the mucus producing cells multiply. This will eventually cause the blockage of the respiratory tract. (trachea, and bronchi). If the irritation continues, the cilia cells will start dying, and the mucus producing cells multiply. This will eventually cause the blockage of the respiratory tract. (trachea, and bronchi). Lung cancer occurs when poisons in the tobacco tar mutate cells in the lungs causing them to multiply out of control. These cells will eventually cause other cells to die through starvation. Lung cancer occurs when poisons in the tobacco tar mutate cells in the lungs causing them to multiply out of control. These cells will eventually cause other cells to die through starvation.

Healthy Lifestyle Summary Sleep 8-9 hours a night. Sleep 8-9 hours a night. Exercise minutes a day. Exercise minutes a day. Eat a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fibre (cereals and vegetables). Eat a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fibre (cereals and vegetables). Drink plenty of water (8 cups of water per day). Drink plenty of water (8 cups of water per day). Stay away from pollutants such as smoking, smog, drugs, etc. Stay away from pollutants such as smoking, smog, drugs, etc.