Mammalian circulatory system

Blood composition

Redblood cells (erythrocytes); transport oxygen to the respiring cells.

White blood cells (leucocytes); protect the body against pathogens.

There are two types of white blood cells;

i. Phagocytes
ii. Lymphocytes

Platelets (thrombocytes); clots blood.

 Platelets produce an enzyme called thrombokinase

 The thrombokinase converts prothrombin into thrombin.
 The thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin
 Fibrin forms a mesh of fibres across a wound which traps red blood cells which solidify to
form a clot.
*The clot;
Prevents ;,l/entry of bacteria and toxis into the blood stream.
Prevents further loss of blood.
Keeps the wound warm. Warm wounds heal quickly.

Summary of functions of blood

1) It transports water the universal solvent in which all the biochemical reactions take place.
2) It transports digested food in the plasma from ileum to other parts f the body.
3) It transports oxygen in red blood cells from the lungs to all other parts of the body.
4) It transports hormones from endocrine glands to their target organs
5) It carries waste products of metabolism such as urea and carbon dioxide to the organs of
their excretion.
6) It uniformly distributes heat throughout the body.

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The heart and blood vessels
The heart

The blood vessels

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 Dual circulation

Mammals are said to have a dual circulation;

i. Lung or pulmonary circulation
ii. Body or systemic circulation
Advantages of a double circulation
Blood pressure can be controlled.
Oxygenated blood can be separated from deoxygenated blood .

Blood vessels
There are three types of blood vessels;

Arteries
Arteries are blood vessels which carry blood from the heart to the organs of the body and tissues.
The arteries have thick walls because they have to withstand the high blood pressure generated by
the vigorous pumping of the heart.

Veins
These blood vessels transport blood towards the heart and away from the body organs and tissues.
Veins have valves which prevent the backflow of blood. Thus blood flows in one direction.

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Longitudinal section of a vein

A comparison between arteries and veins

arteries Veins
Walls thick and elastic Walls relatively thin
No valves Have numerous valves along their length
Carry blood away from the heart Carry blood towards the heart
Blood under high pressure Blood under low pressure
Blood is oxygenated except in pulmonary artery Blood deoxygenated except in pulmonary vein
There is pulse There is no pulse

Structure of capillary
Capillaries allow for exchange of materials
They are one cell thick and selectively permeable.
Small dissolved molecules such as oxygen, glucose, amino acids, water etc come out of the capillary
together with blood plasma which is squeezed out on the arteriole side by the high blood pressure
form tissue fluid.

Red blood cells, platelets, fibrinogen etc are too big to pass through capillary walls so they remain in
the blood vessels.

Pulse

Locating pulse

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As soon as we start to exercise, our muscle cells respire faster to release energy and produce more
carbon dioxide.
This triggers the reflex action to increase heart rate and blood pressure.

The heart beat faster and stronger to deliver extra oxygen and glucose to the active muscles.

The person breathes faster to take in more oxygen and take out carbon dioxide.

The heart rate reduces gradually to the pre-exercise level as soon as the exercise ends.

Coronary heart diseases

It is caused by the formation of fatty deposits called atheroma in the lining of the arteries.

Atheroma and thrombus formation

The atheroma becomes rough and causes

fibrinogen in the plasma to deposit fibrin on
it, so causing a blood clot (a thrombus) to
form. A thrombus can form anywhere in
the arterial system;
 If forms in the coronary artery it can
cause heart attack.
 If forms in the artery that takes
blood to the brain it can cause
stroke.

Causes of coronary heart disease

Stress; emotional stress often leads to
raised blood pressure due to constriction of
arteries. High blood pressure increases the
rate at which the atheroma is formed in
arteries.

Smoking; carbon monoxide in cigarette

smoke and nicotine may damage the lining
of the arteries, allowing atheroma to form.
Nicotine hardens arteries, making them lose
their elasticity. Hardened arteries are fragile and cannot dilate or constrict according to the body’s
demands
It must be mentioned that carbon monoxide reacts permanently with red blood cells making them
unable to deliver oxygen to cells.
Fatty diet; animal fats contain a lot of cholesterol which easily get deposited in the lining of the
arteries forming the atheroma.
Lack of exercise; a sluggish blood flood flow, resulting from lack of exercise, may allow atheroma to
form in the arterial lining.

Prevention of coronary heart disease

1. Exercise regularly
2. Reduce intake of food with saturated fats especially animal fats
3. Seek immediate guidance and counselling when emotionally stressed
4. Avoid smoking

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