30.

1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions

KEY CONCEPT
The respiratory and circulatory systems bring oxygen
and nutrients to the cells.
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions
The respiratory and circulatory systems work together to
maintain homeostasis.
• The circulatory system transports
blood and other materials. Oxygen-poor blood

– brings supplies to cells

– carries away wastes
– separates oxygen-poor and
oxygen-rich blood

Oxygen-rich blood
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions

• The respiratory system is where gas exchange occurs.

– picks up oxygen from inhaled air
– expels carbon dioxide and water

sinus

nose

mouth
epiglottis
trachea

lungs
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions
The respiratory system moves gases into and out of the
blood.
• The lungs contain the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.
• Millions of alveoli give the lungs a huge surface area.
• The alveoli absorb oxygen from the air you inhale.
alveoli
bronchiole
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions

• Breathing involves the diaphragm and muscles of the rib

cage.
• Air flows from areas of high pressure to low pressure.

Air inhaled. Air exhaled.

Muscles and
rib cage relax.
Muscles contract and
rib cage expands.

Diaphragm flattens Diaphragm relaxes

and moves downward. and rises.
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions
The circulatory system moves blood to all parts of the
body.
• The system includes the heart,
veins
arteries, veins, and capillaries.
– heart pumps blood throughout body
– arteries move blood away from
heart
– veins move blood back to heart
– capillaries get blood to and from
cells
arteries
30.1 Respiratory and Circulatory Functions

• There are three major functions of the circulatory system.

– transporting blood, gases, nutrients
– collecting waste materials
– maintaining body temperature
30.2 Respiration and Gas Exchange

KEY CONCEPT
The respiratory system exchanges oxygen and carbon
dioxide.
30.2 Respiration and Gas Exchange
Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide are carried by the blood to and
from the alveoli.
– oxygen diffuses from alveoli into capillary
– oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells
– carbon dioxide difuses from capillary into alveoli
ALVEOLI GAS EXCHANGES
capillary
alveolus

Co2 diffuses
into alveolus. co2

o2 O2 diffuses
into blood.

capillaries
30.2 Respiration and Gas Exchange
Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs.
• Breathing is regulated by the brain stem.

midbrain
pons

medulla
oblongata

spinal chord
30.2 Respiration and Gas Exchange
Respiratory diseases interfere with gas exchange.
• Lung diseases reduce airflow and oxygen absorption.
– Emphysema destroys alveoli.
– Asthma constricts airways.
– Cystic fibrosis produces sticky mucus.
30.2 Respiration and Gas Exchange

• Smoking is the leading cause of lung diseases.

30.3 The Heart and Circulation

KEY CONCEPT
The heart is a muscular pump that moves the blood
through two pathways.
30.3 The Heart and Circulation
The tissues and structures of the heart make it an
efficient pump.
• Cardiac muscle tissue works continuously without tiring.
NORMAL HUMAN HEART
30.3 The Heart and Circulation

• The heart has four chambers: two atria, two ventricles.

• Valves in each chamber prevent backflow of blood.

pulmonary valve
aortic valve

left atrium
right atrium
mitral valve

left ventricle
tricuspid

right ventricle septum

• Muscles squeeze the chambers in a powerful pumping

action.
30.3 The Heart and Circulation

• The heartbeat consists of two contractions.

– SA node, or pacemaker, stimulates atria to contract
– AV node stimulates ventricles to contract

SA node

VA node
30.3 The Heart and Circulation

• Blood flows through the heart in a specific pathway.

1 3

2 4
30.3 The Heart and Circulation

• Blood flows through the heart in a specific pathway.

– oxygen-poor blood enters right atrium, then right
ventricle
– right ventricle pumps blood to lungs
– oxygen-rich blood from lungs enters left atrium, then left
ventricle
– left ventricle pumps blood to body
30.3 The Heart and Circulation
The heart pumps blood through two main pathways
(pulmonary & systemic).
• Pulmonary circulation occurs between the heart and the
lungs.
– oxygen-poor blood enters lungs
– excess carbon dioxide and water
expelled
– blood picks up oxygen
– oxygen-rich blood returns to heart
30.3 The Heart and Circulation

• Systemic circulation occurs between the heart and the rest

of the body.
– oxygen-rich blood goes to organs,
extremities
– oxygen-poor blood returns to
heart
• The two pathways help maintain a
stable body temperature.
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport

KEY CONCEPT
The circulatory system transports materials
throughout the body.
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport
Arteries, veins, and capillaries transport blood to all parts
of the body.
• Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
– blood under great pressure
– Arteries have thicker, more muscular walls
endothelium
smooth muscle
valve
connective tissue

ARTERY
VEIN
CAPILLARIES

arteriole venule
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport

• Veins carry blood back to the heart.

– blood under less pressure
– Veins have thinner walls, larger diameter
– valves prevent backflow

endothelium
smooth muscle
valve
connective tissue

ARTERY
VEIN
CAPILLARIES

arteriole venule
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport

• Capillaries are very small vessels that move blood between

veins, arteries, and cells.
endothelium

smooth muscle
valve
connective tissue

ARTERY
VEIN
CAPILLARIES

arteriole venule
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport

• Blood pressure is a measure of the force of blood pushing

against artery walls.
– systolic pressure:
left ventricle
contracts
– diastolic pressure:
left ventricle
relaxes

• High blood pressure can precede a heart attack or stroke.

30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport
Lifestyle plays a key role in circulatory diseases.
• Some choices lead to an increased risk of circulatory
diseases.
– smoking
– long-term stress
– excessive weight
– lack of exercise
– diet low in fruits
and vegetables,
high in saturated
fats
30.4 Blood Vessels and Transport

• Circulatory diseases affect mainly the heart and the arteries.

– artery walls become thick and inflexible

– plaque blocks blood flow in arteries
30.5 Blood

KEY CONCEPT
Blood is a complex tissue that transports materials.
30.5 Blood
Blood is composed mainly of cells, cell fragments, and
plasma.
• Whole blood is made up of different materials.
– plasma
– red blood cells
– white blood cells
– platelets
plasma

red blood cells,

white blood cells,
and platelets
30.5 Blood

• Plasma is a key factor in maintaining homeostasis.

– molecules diffuse into and out of plasma
– contains proteins that stabilize blood volume
– contains clotting factors
– contains immune proteins
30.5 Blood
Platelets and different types of blood cells have different
functions.
• The bone marrow manufactures most of the blood
components.

red blood cell

platelet

white blood cell

30.5 Blood

• Red blood cells make up 40-45 % of all blood cells.

– transport oxygen to cells and carry away carbon dioxide
– have no nuclei and contain hemoglobin
30.5 Blood

• White blood cells fight pathogens and destroy foreign

matter.

red blood cell

platelet

white blood cell

30.5 Blood

• Protein markers define blood types and Rh factors.

– ABO blood group the most common
– Rh factor can be negative or positive
– blood types must be compatible for transfusions
30.5 Blood

• Platelets help form clots that control bleeding.

platelets

fibrin

white
blood cell

red blood cell