Circulation

Circulation is the movement of blood through the body, which is essential for delivering nutrients and oxygen to cells and removing waste products. The circulatory system is composed of the heart, blood vessels, and blood, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's overall function.

Study Guide for Circulation

1. Heart: The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It consists of four chambers - the left and right atria, and the left and right ventricles.
2. Blood Vessels: There are three main types of blood vessels - arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where the exchange of nutrients and waste products occurs.
3. Blood: Blood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells help fight infections, and platelets are involved in blood clotting. Plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries various substances such as hormones and nutrients.
4. Function: The circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues, removes carbon dioxide and waste products, helps regulate body temperature, and plays a role in the immune response.
5. Circulation Pathway: Blood travels from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen, then returns to the heart before being pumped out to the rest of the body. This process is known as pulmonary and systemic circulation.

Understanding circulation is fundamental to comprehending how the body functions and how diseases such as heart disease and hypertension can impact overall health.