THE

CIRCULATOR
Y SYSTEM
Kenila Brown, Kamron Thomas, Daviena Spence,
Jada-Ann Eulett, Brittaney Honeyghann
Table of contents
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1
Introduction
2
The Heart

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3
The Blood
4
The Blood Vessel
 Table of contents
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5
The Circulatory 6
The Cardiac Cycle
Cycle

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How to 7
keep your 08
circulatory system Conclusion
healthy
 Introduction
 The circulatory system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout
the body.

 It consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.

 The circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, is a complex network
responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and waste
products throughout the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and supporting
the overall function of organs and tissues
 THE HEART

 The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood.

 It has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.

 The left side of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body, while the right-side
pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

 The heart has its own electrical system that regulates heartbeat through the
sinoatrial (SA) node.

 Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.

 Fun Fact: Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day!

 THE HEART

Blood from the body enters the right atrium. Blood flows
through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. Blood is
pumped out of the right ventricle through the pulmonary valve
to the lungs. Blood from the lungs enters the left atrium. Blood
flows from the mitral valve into the left ventricle. Blood is
pumped out of the left ventricle through the aortic valve to the
body.
 Factors that can
affect pulse rate
 AGE: the pulse rate decreases with age.

 FITNESS LEVEL: people who are more fit have lower pulse rates.

 STRESS: stress can increase the pulse rate.

 CAFFEINE: caffeine can increase the pulse rate.

 MEDICATIONS: some medications can affect the pulse rate.

 THE BLOOD
 Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

 It consists of: Red blood cells (oxygen carriers, containing hemoglobin to bind
oxygen)

 White blood cells (disease fighters, defending against infections)

 Platelets (clotting helpers, preventing excessive bleeding)

 Plasma (the liquid portion, carrying nutrients and hormones)

 The bone marrow produces blood cells.

 Blood helps regulate body temperature and pH balance.

 BLOOD
PRESSURE
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the blood
vessels. The normal blood pressure is 120/80. The first number is the
systolic pressure, which is the pressure when the heart beats. The
second number is the siastolic pressure, which is the pressure when
the heart rests between beats.
 Factors that can
affect blood pressure
 AGE: blood pressure increases with age.

 WEIGHT: people who are overweight or obese have higher blood

pressure.

 DIET: a diet high in salt can increase blood pressure.

 EXERCISE: exercise can help to lower blood pressure.

 STRESS: stress can increase blood pressure

 MEDICATIONS: some medications can affect blood pressure.

 BLOOD VESSELS

Blood vessels are an extensive network of hollow, tubular

structures that transport blood throughout the body. They
play a vital role in circulation by ensuring that oxygen,
nutrients, hormones, and waste products reach their
respective destinations. Blood vessels are flexible and
dynamic, adjusting their diameter to regulate blood flow and
pressure. They are divided into three primary types: arteries,
veins, and capillaries, each with specialized functions to
support efficient circulation.
 BLOOD VESSELS

1. Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart

 Structure: Thick, elastic walls to withstand high pressure.

 Key Artery: The aorta, the largest artery, distributes oxygen-rich blood from the
heart to the body.

 Exception: The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to
the lungs.
 BLOOD VESSELS

2. Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

 Structure: Thinner walls than arteries and contain valves to prevent backflow.

 Key Vein: The vena cava, which collects blood from the body and returns it to
the heart.

 Exception: The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the
heart..
 BLOOD VESSELS

3. Capillaries: The site of exchange between blood and tissues

 Structure: The smallest and thinnest blood vessels, with walls just one cell
thick.

 Function: Allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products
between blood and body tissues.

 Importance: Capillaries connect arteries and veins, ensuring seamless

circulation.
 CIRCULATORY CYCLE
The circulatory cycle ensures the continuous movement of blood throughout the
body, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste. This cycle consists of:

 Oxygenated Blood Flow: The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle
into the aorta, which distributes it to arteries and capillaries throughout the body.

Oxygenated Blood Flow → Heart (Left Ventricle) → Aorta → Arteries →

Capillaries

 Exchange in Capillaries: Capillaries facilitate the exchange of oxygen and

nutrients into cells while collecting carbon dioxide and waste.

Exchange in Capillaries (Oxygen & Nutrients → Cells, CO₂ & Waste → Blood)
 CIRCULATORY CYCLE
 Deoxygenated Blood Return: Veins collect the oxygen-poor blood and transport it
back to the heart through the superior and inferior vena cava.

Deoxygenated Blood Return → Veins → Vena Cava → Heart (Right Atrium &
Ventricle

 Pulmonary Circulation: The heart pumps deoxygenated blood into the lungs via the
pulmonary arteries, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for fresh oxygen.

Pulmonary Circulation → Pulmonary Arteries → Lungs (CO₂ out, O₂ in)

 Reoxygenated Blood: The oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary
veins, ready to be pumped back into systemic circulation.

Reoxygenated Blood → Pulmonary Veins → Heart (Left Atrium & Ventricle) →

Repeat Cycle
CIRCULATO
RY SYSTEM
 CARDIAC CYCLE
The cardiac cycle is the sequence of events that occur in the heart during one complete
heartbeat. It includes the contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles to pump
blood throughout the body. The cycle consists of systole (contraction) and diastole
(relaxation) phases and happens in the following steps:

1. Atrial Systole (0.1 sec)- The atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles. The
atrioventricular (AV) valves (tricuspid and mitral) are open.

2. Ventricular Systole (0.3 sec)- The ventricles contract, pumping blood into the aorta
and pulmonary artery. The AV valves close to prevent backflow. The semilunar valves
(aortic and pulmonary) open to allow blood flow.

3. Diastole (Relaxation Phase) (0.4 sec)- The heart relaxes, and the chambers refill
with blood. The semilunar valves close to prevent backflow into the ventricles. The AV
valves reopen as blood flows in from the veins.

The entire cardiac cycle lasts about 0.8 seconds at a normal heart rate of 75 beats per
minute. It ensures continuous circulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood through
the body and lungs.
CIRCULATO
RY SYSTEM
 How to keep you
Circulatory System
healthy
 Eat a Balanced Diet: Consume heart-healthy foods like fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while avoiding excessive salt,
sugar, and processed foods.

 Exercise Regularly: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most

days of the week to improve circulation and cardiovascular strength.

 Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps maintain blood volume and
supports smooth circulation.

 Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking damages blood vessels, while
excessive alcohol intake can raise blood pressure.
THE
CIRCULATO
RY SYSTEM