Army Public School& College (Girls)Hamza Camp

Session 2024-25
Exercise Notes Biology SSC-II
Chapter 2 Circulatory System

Section I: Multiple Choice Questions

1. B) atria
2. A) platelets
3. B) left atrium and left ventricle
4. C) left ventricle
5. B) has oxygenated blood
6. D) lungs
7. B) White blood cells
8. B) arteries
9. B) pericardium
10.A) pulse
11.B) capillaries
12.B) aorta
13.C) tricuspid valve
14.A) myogenic
15.A) in the wall of the right atrium

Section II: Short Answer Questions

[Link] the functions of

a. Pericardium
• The pericardium is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the heart. Its functions are
to:
o Protect the heart from friction and infection.
o Keep the heart in place within the chest cavity.
o Contain a small amount of fluid between the layers to reduce friction as the heart
beats.
b. Left Atrium
• The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins and
pumps it into the left ventricle.

c. Right Atrium

• The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior
vena cavae and pumps it into the right ventricle.
d. Left Ventricle
• The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta, which carries it to the rest of the
body.
• It has the thickest walls because it needs to generate the most force to pump blood
throughout the entire body.
e. Right Ventricle
• The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery
for oxygenation.
f. Bicuspid Valve (Mitral Valve)
• The bicuspid valve, located between the left atrium and left ventricle, prevents the
backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium when the ventricle contracts.
g. Tricuspid Valve
• The tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right ventricle, prevents the
backflow of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium when the ventricle contracts.
h. Semilunar Valve
• The semilunar valves (pulmonary and aortic valves) prevent the backflow of blood from
the pulmonary artery and aorta into the ventricles after contraction.
i. Septum
• The septum is a muscular wall that divides the left and right sides of the heart, preventing
the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
j. Aorta
• The aorta is the largest artery in the body and carries oxygenated blood from the left
ventricle to the entire body.
k. Pulmonary Artery
• The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for
oxygenation.
l. Pulmonary Vein
• The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
m. Plasma
• Plasma is the liquid component of blood that helps transport nutrients, hormones, and waste
products. It also contains proteins like albumin, fibrinogen, and antibodies.
n. Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
• Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and carry carbon
dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs for exhalation.
o. White Blood Cells (WBCs)
• White blood cells are part of the immune system and help defend the body against
infections and foreign invaders by attacking bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
p. Platelets
• Platelets are small cell fragments that help in blood clotting by forming clots to prevent
excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
2. Differentiate between
a. Serum and Blood
• Serum:
o Serum is the liquid portion of blood that remains after clotting has occurred.
o It is similar to plasma but without the clotting factors (like fibrinogen).
o It contains water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products.
• Blood:
o Blood is a body fluid that circulates through the cardiovascular system.
o It consists of plasma, red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets,
and clotting factors (like fibrinogen).
o Blood helps in transportation of gases, nutrients, and waste, and plays an important
role in immune defense and clotting.

b. Artery and Vein

• Artery:
o Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
o They have thicker walls to withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped by
the heart.
o Arteries typically carry oxygenated blood (except for the pulmonary artery, which
carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs).
• Vein:
o Veins carry blood back to the heart.
o They have thinner walls compared to arteries and often have valves to prevent
backflow of blood.
o Most veins carry deoxygenated blood (except for the pulmonary veins, which carry
oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart).

c. Tricuspid Valve and Bicuspid Valve

• Tricuspid Valve:
o The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
o It has three flaps and prevents the backflow of blood from the right ventricle into
the right atrium when the ventricle contracts.
• Bicuspid Valve (Mitral Valve):
o The bicuspid valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
o It has two flaps and prevents the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the
left atrium when the ventricle contracts.

d. Systole and Diastole

• Systole:
o Systole refers to the phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and
pumps blood out of the chambers.
o It is the phase when the ventricles contract, pushing blood into the arteries (e.g.,
blood is pumped from the left ventricle to the aorta).
 • Diastole:
o Diastole is the phase when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with
blood.
o It is the resting phase of the cardiac cycle, where blood flows into the atria and then
into the ventricles in preparation for the next contraction.

e. Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs)

• Red Blood Cells (RBCs):

o Function: RBCs are primarily responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to
the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs
for exhalation.
o Structure: RBCs are biconcave discs with no nucleus, which allows them to carry
more hemoglobin and oxygen.
o Quantity: RBCs are much more abundant in blood than WBCs.
o Lifespan: RBCs have a lifespan of about 120 days.
o Color: RBCs are red because of the iron-containing pigment called hemoglobin.
o Count: Normal count is around 4.5 to 5.5 million cells per microliter of blood in
adults.
• White Blood Cells (WBCs):
o Function: WBCs are part of the immune system and defend the body against
infections, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. They also help in the immune
response.
o Structure: WBCs have a nucleus and are larger than RBCs. They are also less
numerous than RBCs.
o Quantity: WBCs are much less abundant in blood compared to RBCs.
o Lifespan: WBCs have a variable lifespan, ranging from a few days to several years,
depending on the type.
o Color: WBCs are colorless, as they do not contain hemoglobin.
o Count: Normal count is around 4,000 to 11,000 cells per microliter of blood.

f. Pulmonary Artery and Pulmonary Vein

• Pulmonary Artery:
o Function: The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right
ventricle of the heart to the lungs, where it will be oxygenated.
o Oxygenation: Carries deoxygenated blood.
o Structure: It is a large artery that divides into smaller branches, eventually reaching
the lungs.
o Direction of Flow: Carries blood away from the heart to the lungs.
o Location: It is the only artery in the body that carries deoxygenated blood.
• Pulmonary Vein:
o Function: The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the
left atrium of the heart, to be pumped into the rest of the body.
o Oxygenation: Carries oxygenated blood.
 o Structure: There are typically four pulmonary veins, two from each lung, that enter
the left atrium.
o Direction of Flow: Carries blood towards the heart from the lungs.
o Location: It is the only vein in the body that carries oxygenated blood.

3. Why is a circulatory system necessary?

The circulatory system is necessary to

➢ transport essential substances (like oxygen, nutrients, and hormones) throughout the body,
➢ to remove waste products (such as carbon dioxide and urea).
➢ It helps maintain homeostasis, regulates body temperature,
➢ supports the immune system by distributing white blood cells.

4. Name the three circuits of the circulatory system.

1. Pulmonary Circulation: Carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and
returns oxygenated blood back to the heart.
2. Systemic Circulation: Carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and
returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
3. Coronary Circulation: Supplies blood to the heart muscle itself, ensuring that the heart
receives oxygen and nutrients.

5. Describe the coronary circuit.

➢ The coronary circulation is the network of blood vessels that supply blood to the heart
muscle (myocardium).
➢ Oxygenated blood is carried to the heart through the coronary arteries.
➢ The blood is then returned to the right atrium through the coronary veins.
➢ This circulation ensures that the heart gets enough oxygen and nutrients to function
properly.

6. Write the six functions of blood.

1. Transportation: Blood transports oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide
from the cells to the lungs. It also transports nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
2. Regulation: Blood helps regulate body temperature and pH levels.
3. Protection: Blood plays a key role in immune defense, fighting infections with white blood
cells and antibodies.
4. Clotting: Platelets and clotting factors in the blood help prevent excessive bleeding by
forming clots.
5. Nutrient Distribution: Blood carries nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty
acids to cells for energy, growth, and repair.
6. Waste Removal: Blood helps remove waste products like urea and excess carbon dioxide
from the body for excretion.
7. What are the organs that are connected to the circulatory system?

The primary organs connected to the circulatory system include:

• Heart (the central pump of the system)
• Lungs (for oxygenating blood)
• Blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries)
• Kidneys (filter waste from the blood)
• Liver (metabolizes nutrients and filters toxins)
• Spleen (involved in filtering blood and recycling iron)

8. Name the types of blood vessels.

1. Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart, typically carrying oxygenated blood (except
pulmonary arteries).
2. Veins: Carry blood towards the heart, typically carrying deoxygenated blood (except
pulmonary veins).
3. Capillaries: Tiny blood vessels that connect arteries to veins, allowing the exchange of
oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between blood and tissues.

9. What are the types of white blood cells? Why are these called white blood cells?

There are several types of white blood cells (WBCs), including:

1. Neutrophils: First responders to infection, they engulf and digest pathogens.
2. Lymphocytes: Includes T-cells (which help destroy infected cells) and B-cells (which
produce antibodies).
3. Monocytes: Mature into macrophages that phagocytize pathogens and dead cells.
4. Eosinophils: Involved in allergic reactions and fighting parasitic infections.
5. Basophils: Release histamine and play a role in inflammatory reactions.
They are called white blood cells because they lack the red pigment (hemoglobin) that gives red
blood cells their color, and they are colorless under a microscope.

10. In what ways does pulmonary artery differ from all other arteries?

The pulmonary artery differs from other arteries in that:

• It carries deoxygenated blood, whereas other arteries typically carry oxygenated blood.
• It carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, not to other parts of the body.
• It is the only artery that carries deoxygenated blood.

11. How are the valves of the human heart important?

➢ The valves of the human heart are important because they ensure the unidirectional flow
of blood, preventing backflow.
➢ They maintain efficient circulation and keep blood moving through the heart and to the
lungs and body.
 ➢ The four main valves are the tricuspid valve, bicuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and
aortic valve.

12. Suggest why an injury that cuts open an artery is much more dangerous than an injury
to a vein.

An injury to an artery is more dangerous because:

• Arteries carry blood under high pressure, so a cut artery will result in rapid and severe
bleeding.
• The blood from an artery is bright red and spurts out in pulses with each heartbeat, making
it difficult to control the bleeding.
• Veins, on the other hand, carry blood under much lower pressure, so an injury to a vein
typically results in slower, more controlled bleeding.

13. Why are valves present in veins but not in arteries?

➢ Valves are present in veins but not in arteries because veins carry blood back to the heart
against gravity, especially in the limbs.
➢ The valves prevent backflow of blood, ensuring it moves in one direction.
➢ Arteries, however, carry blood away from the heart under high pressure, so valves are not
needed.

14. Why are the walls of the atria thinner than the walls of the ventricle?
➢ The walls of the atria are thinner than the walls of the ventricles because the atria only need
to pump blood into the ventricles, which requires less force.
➢ The ventricles, especially the left ventricle, need to pump blood to the entire body or to
the lungs, requiring thicker and stronger muscular walls to generate the necessary pressure.
15. Why is the muscle of the left ventricle thicker than that of the right ventricle?
➢ The muscle of the left ventricle is thicker than the right ventricle because it has to pump
blood to the entire body through the aorta, which requires more force and higher pressure.
➢ The right ventricle, in contrast, only pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary
artery, which requires less pressure.
➢ Hence, the left ventricle's muscle is more robust to handle the greater workload.
 Section III: Extensive Answer Questions

1. Describe the pulmonary and systemic circuits of the circulatory system.

Reference to book page no. 27

2. How are the materials transported through the blood?

Reference to book page no.28

3. What are the organs connected to blood circulatory system? Explain.

Reference to book page no.20

4. What are the components of blood.

Reference to book page no.22

5. Describe the cell types found in blood.

Reference to book page no.23

6. Draw and describe the structure of human heart.

Reference to book page no.25

7. Explain the circulation of blood through the human heart.

Reference to book page no.27

8. Discuss the following heart diseases in human:

Reference to book page no.29
a. Coronary heart disease
Reference to book page no.29
b. Myocardial infarction
Reference to book page no.29
c. Angina
Reference to book page no.30

9. Explain the harmful effects of smoking related to heart diseases

Reference to book page no.30