Circulatory System Notes

Version 2/22 © Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory
System

Presented by Kesler Science

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

Essential Questions:

Reflect on the Essential
Questions before you dive in…

1. If you were quizzed today,
which questions would you know
the answers to already?

2. Which questions would you
need to learn more about to
answer confidently?

1.

What is the main
function of the
circulatory system?

2.

What are the main
organs associated
with this system?

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• This system uses blood vessels to deliver

O2 and nutrients to all the cells in the body
and carry CO2 and waste to the lungs.

• The main organ is the heart (the pump).

• The blood vessels include arteries, veins,

and capillaries.

Circulatory System

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

Two systems in one:

Pulmonary circulation – sends
blood from the heart to the lungs
and back

Systemic circulation – sends blood
to the rest of the body and back to
the heart

Circulatory System

Referring to the image above, can
you make any references to other
body systems?

Write all of this down

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• The lungs are where the oxygen and

nutrients are picked up by the blood.

• The lungs are also where wastes like

carbon dioxide are released from the blood.

• These activities happen in the alveoli (air

sacs) of the lungs.

Pulmonary Circulation

What is the main structure of the
pulmonary system?

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• Provides organs, tissues and cells with

blood, so they get oxygen and other
nutrients

• Accomplished through the blood vessels:

veins, arteries and capillaries

• The largest blood vessels have names.

Systemic Circulation

What are the main structures of
the systemic system?

Open Ended

What is one similarity and one difference between the pulmonary and systemic circulatory system?

Multiple Choice

The lungs are part of which system within the circulatory system?

• pulmonary

• systemic

Multiple Choice

Blood vessels, capillaries, and veins are part of which system within the circulatory system?

• pulmonary

• systemic

• circulatory

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• Aorta is the main artery of the heart

carrying oxygenated blood to all parts of
the body except the lungs.

• Vena Cava large vein carrying

deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

• Superior Vena Cava returns blood

from the upper body.

• Inferior Vena Cava returns blood from

the lower body.

Main Blood Vessels

Write all the aorta info

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• A muscular organ about the size of a fist

• Located just behind and slightly left of the

breastbone

• Pumps blood through a network of arteries,

veins and capillaries

• Also called the cardiovascular system

Heart

In your own words, describe the
main function of the heart.

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

The heart is made up of four

chambers.
1. Right Atrium
2. Right Ventricle
3. Left Atrium
4. Left Ventricle

There are valves located between
each chamber.

Chambers of the Heart

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• Control the flow of blood through the heart

by opening and closing during contractions

• Allows blood to flow in only one direction

• Mitral and Tricuspid valve control blood flow

from the atria to the ventricles.

• Aortic and Pulmonary valve control blood

flow out of the ventricles.

Valves of the Heart

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

Look at the diagram on the right.
In your own words describe the
path the blood is taking through
the heart.

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

Artery

Vein

• Very tiny blood vessels connecting the

arteries and veins

• Here is where the O2 is delivered to the

cells along with other nutrients.

• Also, CO2 and waste is picked up, returned

to heart, and pumped to lungs.

Capillaries

Why are capillaries essential to the
circulatory system?

​Summarize this

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• Red represents the arteries carrying

oxygen and nutrients away from the heart
to the body.

• Blue represents the veins carrying carbon

dioxide and waste towards the heart.

Arteries and Veins

Can you think of an analogy or
memory mechanism to help you
determine the difference in arteries
and veins?

​Write all of this

Multiple Choice

The aorta...

• is a large vein

• carries oxygen to the lungs

• carries deoxygenated blood

• carries oxygen to all parts except lungs

Multiple Choice

The vena cava...

• carries deoxygenated blood to the heart

• carries oxygenated blood from the heart

• is the main artery

• is the main vein

Multiple Choice

____ represents ARTERIES that carry oxygen and nutrients _____ from the heart

• blue, towards

• blue, away

• red, away

• red, towards

Multiple Choice

_________ carry carbon dioxide and waste towards the heart

• arteries

• capillaries

• veins

• aorta

Multiple Choice

How many chambers does the heart have?

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 2

© Kesler Science, LLC

Circulatory System

• Atherosclerosis – hardening of the

arteries due to plaque

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack) –

blockage of blood flow

• Prolapsed valves – causes backwards flow

of blood.

• Arrhythmia – abnormal heart rate

• High Blood Pressure – makes the heart

work harder

Diseases of the Circulatory System

Give your best answer to...

1.

Explain the main function of the circulatory system.

2.

List the main sructures of the circulatory system and the
role they play in the system.
Check for

Understanding

Open Ended

Explain the main function of the circulatory system

Still have
questions?

Which essential questions do you still need help to understand?