CHAPTER 1: RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM WORKING TOGETHER!

LESSON 2: Circulatory System

Objectives: Identify the parts of the Circulatory System

Trace the correct blood flow in the heart
Discuss the function of the Circulatory System
Tell the importance of Circulatory System

INTRODUCTION

Key Concept: Circulatory System is responsible for the transmission of oxygen and other important nutrients
throughout the body.

Structure of the Heart

The heart is a complex muscle that pumps blood through the three divisions of the circulatory system: the
coronary (vessels that serve the heart), pulmonary (heart and lungs), and systemic (systems of the body). Coronary
circulation intrinsic to the heart takes blood directly from the main artery (aorta) coming from the heart. For
pulmonary and systemic circulation, the heart has to pump blood to the lungs or the rest of the body, respectively.
The heart muscle is asymmetrical as a result of the distance blood must travel in the pulmonary and
systemic circuits. Since the right side of the heart sends blood to the pulmonary circuit, it is smaller than the left side,
which must send blood out to the whole body in the systemic circuit.
In humans, the heart is about the size of a clenched fist. It is divided into four chambers: two atria and two
ventricles. There are one atrium and one ventricle on the right side and one atrium and one ventricle on the left side.
The atria are the chambers that receive blood while the ventricles are the chambers that pump blood. The right
atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior vena cava, which drains blood from the veins of the upper
organs and arms. The right atrium also receives blood from the inferior vena cava, which drains blood from the veins
of the lower organs and legs. In addition, the right atrium receives blood from the coronary sinus, which drains
deoxygenated blood from the heart itself. This deoxygenated blood then passes to the right ventricle through the
right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve), a flap of connective tissue that opens in only one direction to prevent the
backflow of blood. After it is filled, the right ventricle pumps the blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs for
re-oxygenation. After blood passes through the pulmonary arteries, the right semilunar valves close, preventing the
blood from flowing backwards into the right ventricle. The left atrium then receives the oxygen-rich blood from the
lungs via the pulmonary veins. The valve separating the chambers on the left side of the heart is called the
biscuspid or mitral valve (left atrioventricular valve).The blood passes through the bicuspid valve to the left ventricle
where it is pumped out through the aorta, the major artery of the body, taking oxygenated blood to the organs and
muscles of the body. Once blood is pumped out of the left ventricle and into the aorta, the aortic semilunar valve (or
aortic valve) closes, preventing blood from flowing backward into the left ventricle. This pattern of pumping is
referred to as double circulation and is found in all mammals.

Blood Vessels

The heart has its own blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood. The coronary arteries branch
from the aorta, surrounding the outer surface of the heart like a crown. They diverge into capillaries where the heart
muscle is supplied with oxygen before converging again into the coronary veins to take the deoxygenated blood
back to the right atrium, where the blood will be re-oxygenated through the pulmonary circuit.

Atherosclerosis is the blockage of an artery by the buildup of fatty plaques. The heart muscle will die without
a steady supply of blood; because of the narrow size of the coronary arteries and their function in serving the heart
itself, atherosclerosis can be deadly in these arteries. The slowing of blood flow and subsequent oxygen deprivation
can cause severe pain, known as angina. Complete blockage of the arteries will cause myocardial infarction—death
of cardiac muscle tissue—which is commonly known as a heart attack.

Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries

Blood vessels may be tiny but they cover a lot of ground.

The smallest blood vessels measure only five micrometers. To give you some perspective, a strand of
human hair measures about 17 micrometers.
But if you took all the blood vessels out of an average child and laid them out in one line, the line would
stretch over 60,000 miles. An adult’s would be closer to 100,000 miles long.
There are three kinds of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Each of these plays a very specific
role in the circulation process.
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. They’re tough on the outside but they contain a
smooth interior layer of epithelial cells that allows blood to flow easily. Arteries also contain a strong, muscular
middle layer that helps pump blood through the body.
Capillaries connect the arteries to veins. The arteries deliver the oxygen-rich blood to the capillaries, where
the actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. The capillaries then deliver the waste-rich blood to the
veins for transport back to the lungs and heart.
Veins carry the blood back to the heart. They’re similar to arteries but not as strong or as thick. Unlike
arteries, veins contain valves that ensure blood flows in only one direction. (Arteries don’t require valves because
pressure from the heart is so strong that blood is only able to flow in one direction.) Valves also help blood travel
back to the heart against the force of gravity.

LEARNING MODULE IN SCIENCE 9 – THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN Ferlynsis Estrada

 CHAPTER 1: RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM WORKING TOGETHER!

ACTIVITY

Activity 1: Unlocking of difficulties. Below are terms that are involved in the Circulator
System. Search or give the definition/function of the following terms.

1. Heart - ______________________________________________________________________________
2. Blood - ______________________________________________________________________________
3. Blood Vessel - ________________________________________________________________________
4. Artery -______________________________________________________________________________
5. Veins - ______________________________________________________________________________
6. Capillaries -__________________________________________________________________________

EXERCISES

Activity 2: Homemade Circulatory System. Make a model of Circulatory system based on the
given materials.

Materials: 5-6 plastic cups (in any size)

3-4 plastic straw
Scotch tape or any tape

Instruction: 1. One of the plastic cups will serve as the heart and the rest of the plastic cups will be the body parts.
2. The plastic straw will serve as the blood vessels that are connected form the heart to the body parts.
3. Put a hole at the bottom of the heart, make sure that the drinking straw will fit into the hole. Then,
connect the needed drinking straw from the heart up to the body parts.
4. If you are already done with the design pour a glass of water into the heart. Water will serve as the
blood. Observe what happen.

Important Note: Please take a picture of your Homemade Circulatory System and send it to me via
messenger.

Process Questions:
1. How does blood reach the body parts?
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2. Based on the activity, are blood equally distributed to the different body parts? Yes or No? Why?
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3. In reality, are there any possibilities that there are body parts that will receive only a minute amount of blood?
What do you think is the reason?
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Activity 3: My Heart Beats…for You!
On your Laboratory Manual, answer pages on pages 19-20. Read the instruction about the activity on pages
17-18. After answering, tear pages 19-20 and submit it together with your laboratory manual.

Activity 4: Trace the correct blood flow in the heart by labeling its parts. Choose from the box for your
answer. After labeling the parts, construct a paragraph showing the correct blood flow in the heart based on
your answer.

Inferior Vena Cava Septum Pulmonary Veins Pulmonary Artery Right Atrium
Left Atrium Right Ventricle Superior Vena Cava Aorta Tricuspid
Valve Left Ventricle Bicuspid Valve

LEARNING MODULE IN SCIENCE 9 – THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN Ferlynsis Estrada

 CHAPTER 1: RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEM WORKING TOGETHER!

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ASSESSMENT

TEST I: Identify what is being asked. Write your answer to the space provided.
_____________, _____________, ______________, ____________1-4. What are the four chambers of the heart?
____________________, __________________ 5-6. What structure that divides the right atrium and right ventricle
and for the left atrium and left ventricle?
____________________ 7. The largest artery in the human body?
____________________ 8. A major structure of the Circulatory System that pumps blood?
____________________ 9. Carries the nutrient and oxygen throughout the body?
____________________ 10. Brings the blood throughout the body?
TEST II: Essay. Answer it briefly.
1. Why do men have more red blood cells than women?
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2. What is the importance of Circulatory system?
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FEEDBACK (to be filled up by the Teacher)

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RESOURCES
Ferriols-Pavico J., Ramos A.C., Bayquen, A., Silverio A.,
Ramos, J.D, (2018) Exploring Life Through Science Series Second
Edition The New Grade 9
LEARNING MODULE IN SCIENCE 9 – THE COLLEGE OF MAASIN Ferlynsis Estrada