The Circulatory System (Stage 6 Science)
The circulatory system is a vital transport system in the
human body.
It is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to all
body cells and removing waste products like carbon
dioxide.
This system is made up of the
• Heart
• blood vessels and
• blood.
HEART VESSELS
Pumps BLOOD
throughout the
body.
They deliver blood
to the organs and
BLOOD tissues in the body
Transports OXYGEN
and NUTRIENTS to the 1. Arteries
Body’s cells, and 2. Veins
removes waste. 3. Capillaries
Main Functions of the Circulatory System
Transport: Moves oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste
throughout the body.
Protection: Transports white blood cells to fight infections.
Regulation: Helps regulate body temperature and pH
levels.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
The Heart – The Pumping Organ
The heart is a muscular organ located in the chest. It works
like a pump to push blood around the body.
It pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body and oxygen-poor
blood to the lungs.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
The heart is divided into four chambers:
Right Atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.
Right Ventricle: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Left Atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
Left Ventricle: Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the
body.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
The heart has two sides:
• Right side: Handles
deoxygenated blood.
• Left side: Handles
oxygenated blood. RIGHT LEFT
CHAMBER CHAMBER
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
Blood – The Transport Fluid
Blood is a liquid tissue that flows through blood
vessels.
It has several important functions:
Carries oxygen from the lungs to body cells.
Transports nutrients from the digestive system.
Removes waste like carbon dioxide to the lungs
and other organs.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
Blood is made up of:
• Red blood cells: Carry oxygen using a protein
called haemoglobin.
• White blood cells: Defend the body from
infections.
• Platelets: Help the blood to clot.
• Plasma: A yellow liquid that carries nutrients,
hormones, and waste.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
Blood is made up of:
• Red blood cells: Carry oxygen using a protein
called haemoglobin.
• White blood cells: Defend the body from
infections.
• Platelets: Help the blood to clot.
• Plasma: A yellow liquid that carries nutrients,
hormones, and waste.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
Blood Vessels – The Pathways
Blood flows through blood vessels, which form a network
all over the body. There are three main types:
1. Arteries
Carry blood away from the heart.
Usually carry oxygenated blood (except the pulmonary
artery).
Have thick, muscular walls to withstand high pressure.
Main Parts of the Circulatory System
2. Veins
Carry blood toward the heart.
Usually carry deoxygenated blood (except the pulmonary
vein).
Have valves to prevent backflow of blood.
3. Capillaries
Tiny, thin-walled vessels.
Connect arteries to veins.
Allow exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste between
blood and body cells.
How the Circulatory System Works (Blood
Circulation Pathway)
Step-by-step process:
1. Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the body.
2. It is pumped into the right ventricle, which sends it to the lungs
through the pulmonary artery.
3. In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon
dioxide.
4. The oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium.
5. Blood moves into the left ventricle, which pumps it through the
aorta to the rest of the body.
Important Terms to Know
Term Meaning
Oxygenated Blood Blood rich in oxygen (from the lungs).
Blood low in oxygen, high in carbon dioxide
Deoxygenated Blood
(from body cells).
Flaps in the heart and veins that stop blood
Valves
from flowing backwards.
The throbbing of arteries as blood is pumped
Pulse
through them.
The sound and action of the heart as it pumps
Heartbeat
blood.
Why the Circulatory System Is Important
•Delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell.
•Removes carbon dioxide and other waste.
•Helps fight infections and heals wounds.
•Maintains constant body temperature and
balance.