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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of white blood cells?
What is the primary function of white blood cells?
What characteristic distinguishes arteries from veins?
What characteristic distinguishes arteries from veins?
Why are capillary walls only one cell thick?
Why are capillary walls only one cell thick?
What component of blood makes up over half of its volume?
What component of blood makes up over half of its volume?
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How does blood become oxygenated?
How does blood become oxygenated?
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Study Notes
Circulatory System Overview
- The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood throughout the body, regulating body temperature, and facilitating the immune response by carrying white blood cells.
- Blood is pumped by the heart and travels through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Blood Vessels
- Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart under high pressure. They have thicker, muscular walls than veins to withstand the pressure.
- Veins: Carry blood towards the heart. They have valves to prevent backflow.
- Capillaries: Tiny blood vessels with one-cell-thick walls, allowing for efficient diffusion of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste products.
Blood Composition
- Blood is composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Plasma: The liquid component, making up over half of blood volume, carries blood cells.
- Red blood cells: Contain hemoglobin, enabling oxygen transport; account for nearly half of blood volume.
- White blood cells: Immune cells, recognizing and destroying pathogens; less than 1% of blood volume. Have a nucleus.
- Platelets: Tiny cells associated with blood clotting; less than 1%.
The Heart
- The heart is composed of cardiac muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and connective tissue.
- Cardiac muscle contracts simultaneously throughout the heart, creating a pumping effect to propel blood.
Oxygenation and Deoxygenation
- Blood becomes oxygenated in the lungs (typically red in diagrams).
- Blood becomes deoxygenated after passing through body cells (typically blue in diagrams).
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Description
Explore the essentials of the circulatory system, focusing on how blood is transported through arteries, veins, and capillaries. Understand the composition of blood, including plasma and different types of blood cells, as well as their functions in maintaining bodily health.
