The network responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hormones throughout the body. It is essential for maintaining homeostasis and supporting cellular function.
Components
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Heart – the pump that drives blood circulation
(See: Human Heart) -
Blood vessels – tubes that carry blood:
- Arteries – carry blood away from the heart
- Veins – carry blood toward the heart
- Capillaries – tiny vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs
-
Blood – the fluid that transports substances
- Made of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma
(See: Blood)
- Made of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma
Types of Circulation
- Systemic circulation – moves oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood
- Pulmonary circulation – moves deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood
- Coronary circulation – supplies blood to the heart muscle itself
Function
- Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues
- Removes waste products like carbon dioxide
- Helps regulate temperature and pH
- Plays a role in immune response and hormone transport