Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit will examine the structure and function of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It includes the correct anatomical names and location of different chambers, valves and blood vessels as well as the pathway of air through to the alveoli and how gaseous exchange occurs.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the pathway of blood through the double circulatory system and explain its importance in maintaining efficient blood flow.

Key Notes

• Deoxygenated blood travels from the body into the heart's right side then through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
• The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart then out the aorta to the body.
• Valves in the heart prevent the backflow of blood.
• The heart is a double circulatory pump. The pulmonary circuit carries blood to the lungs then back to the heart.
• The systemic circuit carries oxygenated blood out of the heart to the body tissues and returns with deoxygenated blood.

Vocabulary To Learn

• atria: the upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood and the left receives oxygenated blood
• ventricles: the lower chambers of the heart that receive blood from the atria before pumping it out to the body/lungs
• valves: structural feature that prevents backflow of blood
• pulmonary circulation: carries deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lung then back to the left side of the heart
• systemic circulation: carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body. After delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body, the blood returns to the right side of the heart deoxygenated

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Which side of the heart is the left when you look at the body and which side is oxygenated versus deoxygenated.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• A practical exploration of how the cardio-respiratory systems work together Study Guide
• A practical exploration of the pathway of blood Study Guide
• Air pathway from the atmosphere to alveoli and gaseous exchange Study Guide
• Blood vessels and blood cells Study Guide
• Blood vessels, blood cells and the vascular shunt Study Guide
• Double circulatory system and structure of the heart Study Guide
• Mechanics of breathing and interpretation of a spirometer trace Study Guide
• Structure of the cardiovascular system Study Guide
• The cardiac cycle Study Guide
• The mechanics of breathing Study Guide
• The relationship between heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output Study Guide