Open Circulatory Systems

Invertebrate animals have an open

circulatory system. An open
circulatory system is made up of one
or more hearts and open-ended
blood vessels. Blood is pumped into
a cavity that surround organs, and
then returned to the heart.

Open circulatory systems only

exchange nutrients and wastes. The
fluid circulates slowly as the pressure
is low, and therefore are not as
efficient as closed circulatory
systems.

Open Circulatory Systems

When the heart contracts, it

pumps the transport fluid away
from it towards the head of the
body.

Vessels empty into large spaces in

the body cavity called sinuses.

The transport fluid is called

haemolymph: a mixture of blood
and tissue fluid. Haemolymph
surrounds cells directly.

Open Circulatory Systems

Movement of the organism aids

the flow of haemolymph.

When the heart expands,

haemolymph is drawn into the
heart through the sinuses or small
holes called ostia.

Closed Circulatory Systems

Closed circulatory systems are found in all

vertebrate animals. These systems comprise
the heart and blood vessels. The system
transports nutrients and oxygen. In
mammals, it is known as the cardiovascular
system.

Closed Circulatory Systems

Closed circulatory systems are comprised of:

a heart. It can be two-chambered (fish),

three-chambered (frogs, some reptiles), or
four-chambered (some reptiles, birds,
mammals).

blood vessels (arteries, veins and

capillaries).