THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

UNIT 4, PART 1
INDEX
 The internal environment and the circulatory
system
 Lymphatic system

 Blood

 Blood vessels

 The heart

 The circulatory system

 Diseases and disorders

 INITIAL TEST INITIAL TEST 2
 Starting points,page 53
1. THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT AND
THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
 Homeostasis
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
 All our cells are bathed in a liquid that fills the spaces among cells
in our tissues.

 It is a filtrate of blood through the capillary walls and it is rich in

water, nutrients( glucose, vitamins…), O2, CO2, waste products, etc. It
contains nutrients from capillaries by diffusion and holding waste
products discharged out by cells due to metabolism.

 In other words, interstitial fluid provides the cells with the substances
they need and it returns their wastes to the blood. There is always
interstitial fluid surrounding the cells of our body
 • THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM CONSISTS OF 2
SYSTEMS:
• The blood circulatory system
• The lymphatic system

• The lymphatic system is a network

• Distributing the oxygen of vessels and structures
to all the cells of the distributed throughout the body.
body.
• It has 3 main functions:
• Transporting nutrients – Return excess interstitial fluid
to all the cells of the to the blood.
body. – Transport absorbed fat from
the small intestine to the
• Collecting the CO2 and blood.
other waste substances – Defending the organism by
produced by the cells manufacturing a type of white
from their chemical blood cells called lymphocytes
reactions and transfer (they defend us against
them to the renal microorganisms)
system.
The circulating fluid in the
lymphatic system is called
2. THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
• The lymphatic system is formed by:

• Lymph: a liquid formed by excess interstitial [Link] flows

in only one direction. It moves by contractions of the
lymphatic vessels ans skeletal muscles, by respiratory
movements and by gravity.

• Lymphatic capillaries and vessels: these are very similar to

blood capillaries and veins. The lymphatic vessels, like the
veins, have valves that prevent the lymph from going back.
They return excess lymph to the circulatory system.

• Lymph nodes( glands) are roundes structures grouped

together in clusters. They are more abundant around the
ears, the axilla and the neck. They contain defence cells
(lymphocytes). Inside the lymph vessels, lymph passes
through lymph nodes, where lymphocytes attack viruses and
bacteria.
[Link]

⚫ Blood is composed of a liquid, plasma, and blood

cells such as erythrocytes (red blood cells,)
leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets (cell
fragments).
⚫ Our blood is a strange type of CONNECTIVE
TISSUE.
WHITE BLOOD CELLS

⚫ Why is it called a “TISSUE”? It is made up of some specific types of cells that

carry out specific functions.
⚫ Why CONNECTIVE? It helps to communicate other cells and tissues.

RED BLOOD PLATELET

CELLS S
 Blood transports materials around the body,
and helps to protect against diseases. It
contains:
 plasma

 red blood cells

 white blood cells

 platelets
 The erythrocytes carry oxygen and carbon
dioxide by binding them with iron in
hemoglobin. At the end of their lives, the
erythrocytes are degraded in the liver and
the spleen
Red blood cells have adaptations that
make them suitable for this:
They contain haemoglobin - a red
protein that combines with oxygen
They have no nucleus so they can
contain more haemoglobin
They are small and flexible so that
they can fit through narrow blood
vessels
They have a biconcave shape
(flattened disc shape) to maximise
their surface area for oxygen
absorption
Life expectancy: 100-120 days.
Count: 5 mill/mm3
Platelets are colorless cell fragments that enter the
circulation when cytoplasmic portions of bone marrow cells
called megakaryocytes are pinched off. Their primary function
is in the blood clotting process, forming a plug to close small
breaks. Lifespan of 10 days. 300000 platelets/ mm3
WHITE BLOOD CELLS(LEUKOCYTES)

Bearing nucleus; different

types/functions related to inmune
response(prevent diseases by attacking
bacteria, viruses, and foreign
organisms) that could be harmful
towards the body. Variable lifespan.
7500/mm3
⚫ Neutrophil: They surround and engulf
any foreign organisms bacteria and
fungi, multilobed.

⚫ Eosinophil: protect the body from

parasitic infections or allergic
reactions.

⚫ Basophil:are the least common type

of white blood [Link] of
histamine in allergic reactions.

⚫ Limphocyte: two types of

lymphocytes- B cells and T cells. B
cells produce antibodies and T cells
aid in the recognition of infectious
foreign material and the activation
of other immune system cells.

⚫ Monocyte: Form macrophages;

migrate to other organs: lung, etc..
• Blood has 4 main functions:
– Transport of solid and gaseous
substances:
CO2,O2,waste,nutrients
– Defence: WBC & Proteins
– Control of bleeding: Plug
– Maintain body temperature-37ºC
video
GAME
[Link] VESSELS
Veins
Arteries Carry blood to the heart
Carry blood away from the (always deoxygenated apart
heart (always oxygenated apart from the pulmonary
from the pulmonary vein which goes from the lungs
artery which goes from the to the heart).
heart to the lungs). Have thin walls.
Have thick muscular walls. Have larger passageways for
Have small passageways for blood (internal lumen).
blood (internal lumen). Contain blood under low
Contain blood under high pressure.
pressure. Capillaries Have valves to prevent blood
flowing backwards.
Found in the muscles and lungs.
Microscopic – one cell thick.
Very low blood pressure.
Where gas exchange takes place -
oxygen passes through the capillary
wall and into the tissues, while
carbon dioxide passes from the
tissues into the blood.
Capillary fluid flow
 A VERY VERY SERIOUS AND FORMAL VIDEO

[Link] HEART

The heart is a muscular organ. Its

function is to pump blood. The right
side pumps blood through
the pulmonary circuit, while the left
side pumps blood through
the systemic circuit.
A septum separates the right and
left sides. The left side has thicker
walls because it needs to put the
blood under higher pressure than the
right side.
The heart is a muscle enclosed in a
sac called the pericardium. The walls
of the heart are composed of cardiac
muscle cells called myocardium. A
thin layer of cells called endothelial
cells lines the inner surface.
In complete rest, our heart pumps blood at a rate of 70 times/min.
and up to 180-200 t/m at maximum effort. This is called HEART
FRECUENCY or HEART RATE.
 A group of nerve cells called
the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right
atrium depolarizes first

The impulse originates in the

junction between the superior
vena cava and the right atrium,
where a cellular node of pacemaker
cells is found (also called Keith and
Flack node).

The dynamic function of the heart begins with a

biologically generated electrical signal that
contracts the atrium first, and then the ventricle.
The stimuli that determine cardiac muscle
contraction are synchronized by an automatic
system that produces and conducts electrical
signals. This is the cardionector system, made up
of specialized cells that generate electrical
activity in pacemaker cells.
 • The whole process of pumping blood is
called CARDIAC CYCLE, it consists of one
THE CARDIAC CYCLE complete sequence of contraction
(SYSTOLE) and relaxation (DIASTOLE) of
the heart.
• It lasts less than a second and SHOWS
THIS SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:
Systole: the phase of ventricular
contraction and blood ejection.
During the first part of the systole
phase, the ventricles contract while
all valves are still closed and
therefore no blood is ejected. The
volume of blood ejected from each
ventricle is called the stroke volume
(SV).
Diastole: the phase when the
ventricles relax and blood fills into the
chambers. During the first part of the
diastole, the ventricles relax while all
valves are still closed
 “Lub-dup”

Heart murmurs
2,3 page 59
 GAME
video
[Link] DOUBLE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Human blood circulation has 3
basic CHARACTERISTICS:
- It is CLOSED: Blood never
leave the vessels
-It is COMPLETE: There is no
mixture between oxygenated
blood coming from lungs and
CO2-rich blood coming from
organs (LEFT PART OF THE
CIRCUIT provides the cells
with O2, RIGHT PART removes
CO2 from cells)
-It is DOUBLE: Blood
passes TWO TIMES through
the heart to complete a
single loop in the circuit. The
pulmonary circuit and the
systemic circuit.
The pulmonary circuit transports blood to the lungs. The blood is
oxygenated there and then carried back to the heart.
Gaseous exchange happens in the lungs:
carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the air in the alveoli
oxygen diffuses from the air in the alveoli into the blood, and is
absorbed by haemoglobin in the red blood cells

Unlike other arteries and veins, the pulmonary artery carries

deoxygenated blood and the pulmonary vein carries oxygenated
blood.
The systemic circuit transports blood
around the body. It transports oxygen
and nutrients to the body tissues, and
carries away deoxygenated blood
containing carbon dioxide and other
waste materials.

Map
 [Link] DISEASES
[Link] heart disease If a coronary artery is blocked, the
The coronary arteries supply blood to blood supply to part of the heart
the heart muscle. These may become muscle is cut off. That part of the
blocked by a build-up of fatty heart cannot continue to contract,
plaques containing cholesterol, causing a heart attack.
resulting in coronary heart
disease.
Possible causes of coronary heart
disease
These include:
poor diet – eating more saturated
fat tends to increase cholesterol
levels
stress and smoking – increases blood
pressure
[Link] thickening or
hardening of the arteries. It is caused
by a buildup of plaque in the inner
lining of an artery.

Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty

substances, cholesterol, cellular
waste products, calcium,… As it
builds up in the arteries, the artery
walls become thickened and stiff.
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive
disease that may start as early as
childhood. However, it can progress
rapidly.
[Link]
A stroke is where the blood supply to
part of the brain is cut off( blocked or
leaked), which can cause brain
damage and possibly death.
The main symptoms of a stroke can
be remembered with the word FAST,
which stands for:
Face – the face may have drooped on
one side, the person may be unable
to smile, or their mouth or eye may
have dropped.
Arms – the person may not be able
to lift both arms and keep them there
because of arm weakness or
numbness in one arm.
Speech – their speech may be
slurred or garbled, or they may not be
able to talk at all.
Time – it's time to dial 999
immediately if you see any of these
signs or symptoms.
 [Link] aortic aneurysm

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge or swelling in the

aorta, the main blood vessel that runs from the heart down
through the chest and tummy.

Some people with an AAA have:

-A pulsing sensation in the tummy
(like a heartbeat)
-tummy pain that does not go away
-lower back pain that does not go
away
[Link] blood pressure, or
hypertension, rarely has
noticeable symptoms. But if
untreated, it increases your risk
of serious problems such as heart
attacks and strokes.
High blood pressure is considered to
be 140/90mmHg or higher (or
150/90mmHg or higher if you're over
the age of 80)
[Link] attack (myocardial infarction)
happens when one or more areas of
the heart muscle don't get enough
oxygen. This happens when blood
flow to the heart muscle is blocked.

A heart attack can happen to anyone

[Link]/fainting (pronounced “sin ko pea”) is the medical
term for fainting or passing out. It is caused by a temporary
drop in the amount of blood that flows to the brain.
Syncope can happen if you have a sudden drop in blood
pressure, a drop in heart rate, or changes in the amount of
blood in areas of your body. If you pass out, you will likely
become conscious and alert right away, but you may be feel
confused for a bit

Many patients have a medical

condition they may or may not know
about that affects the nervous system
or heart. You may also have a
condition that affects blood flow
through your body and causes your
blood pressure to drop when you
change positions (for example, going
from lying down to standing).
[Link] AND DISORDERS OF THE
BLOOD
 Sickle cell disease is the name for
a group of inherited health
conditions that affect the red
blood cells. The most serious
type is called sickle cell anaemia. People with sickle cell disease
produce unusually shaped red blood
cells that can cause problems
because they do not live as long as
healthy blood cells and can block
blood vessels.
Sickle cell disease is a serious and
lifelong health condition, although
treatment can help manage many of
The main symptoms of sickle cell the symptoms.
disease are:
painful episodes called sickle cell
crises, which can be very severe and
last up to a week
an increased risk of serious infections
anaemia (where red blood cells
cannot carry enough oxygen around
the body), which can cause tiredness
and shortness of breath
For example:
drinking plenty of fluids and staying
warm to prevent painful episodes

painkillers, such as paracetamol or

ibuprofen

daily antibiotics and having regular

vaccinations to reduce your chances
of getting an infection

regular blood transfusions if

symptoms continue or get worse, or
there are signs of damage caused by
sickle cell disease
video
an emergency blood transfusion if
severe anaemia develops
The only cure for sickle cell disease is
a stem cell or bone marrow transplant
, but they're not done very often
because of the risks involved.
 Haemophilia is a rare condition
that affects the blood's ability to
clot. It's usually inherited. Most
people who have it are male.

People with haemophilia do not

have as many clotting factors as they
should have in their blood. This
means they bleed for longer than
usual.
Man-made clotting factors are given
as medicines to prevent and treat
prolonged bleeding. These medicines
are given as an injection.

Avoid contact sports, such as rugby

be careful taking other medicines –
some can affect your blood's ability to VIDEO
clot, such as aspirin and ibuprofen
take care of your teeth and gums and
have regular check-ups at the dentist
 Symptoms
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and
bone marrow. In leukemia, this rapid, Tire easily, little energy, weakness.
out-of-control growth of abnormal Pale skin tone.
cells takes place in the bone marrow Fever.
of bones. Easy bruising and bleeding
There are many types of leukemia.
Shortness of breath
Some are more common in children;
others are more common in adults.
Treatment depends on the type of
leukemia you have and other factors.
Leukemia starts when the DNA of a single cell in the bone
marrow changes (mutates) and can’t develop and function
normally.
All cells that arise from that initial mutated cell also have
the mutated DNA.
What causes the damage to the DNA in the first place is
still not known in all cases. Scientists have been able to
locate changes in certain chromosomes of patients
diagnosed with different types of leukemia.

VIDEO
9 HEALTHY HABITS