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Anatomy of Vertebrate Hearts Explained

The document discusses the comparative anatomy of the heart in vertebrates, highlighting significant structural differences due to evolutionary adaptations. Fish possess a two-chambered heart, amphibians have a three-chambered heart with some blood mixing, while most reptiles also have a three-chambered heart with reduced mixing. Mammals and birds feature a four-chambered heart that prevents blood mixing, enhancing the efficiency of double circulation.

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117 views3 pages

Anatomy of Vertebrate Hearts Explained

The document discusses the comparative anatomy of the heart in vertebrates, highlighting significant structural differences due to evolutionary adaptations. Fish possess a two-chambered heart, amphibians have a three-chambered heart with some blood mixing, while most reptiles also have a three-chambered heart with reduced mixing. Mammals and birds feature a four-chambered heart that prevents blood mixing, enhancing the efficiency of double circulation.

Uploaded by

gyanamsingh809
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

ANNADA COLLEGE , HAZARIBAGH


C–4 SEMESTER– II
PAPER – DIVERsITY OF CHORDATES
By –AKASH GARAIN
TOPIC = COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF HEART IN VERTEBRATES

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF HEART IN VERTEBRATES


Closed circulatory systems are a characteristic of vertebrates; however, there are significant
differences in the structure of the heart and the circulation of blood between the different
vertebrate groups due to adaptation during evolution and associated differences in anatomy.

HEART OF CARTILAGINOUS FISHES

Two chambered venous heart which having –

sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle, & conus arteriosus

 the sinus venosus receives blood & is filled by suction when the
ventricle contracts & enlarges the pericardial cavity
 the atrium is a thin-walled muscular sac; an A-V valve regulates
flow between atrium & ventricle
 the ventricle has thick, muscular walls
 the conus arteriosus leads into the ventral aorta (and a series of
conal valves in the conus arteriosus prevent the backflow of
blood)

HEART OF TELEOST FISHES:

heart is similar to that of cartilaginous fishes, except a bulbus


arteriosus (a muscular extension of the ventral aorta) is present
rather than a conus arteriosus (a muscular extension of the
ventricle)

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HEART OF AMPHIBIANS:

 Amphibians have a three-chambered heart that has two atria


and one ventricle rather than the two-chambered heart of
fish .
 The two atria receive blood from the two different circuits
(the lungs and the systems). There is some mixing of the
blood in the heart’s ventricle, which reduces the efficiency of
oxygenation.
 The advantage to this arrangement is that high pressure in
the vessels pushes blood to the lungs and body.
 The mixing is mitigated by a ridge within the ventricle that
diverts oxygen-rich blood through the systemic circulatory
system and deoxygenated blood to the pulmocutaneous
circuit where gas exchange occurs in the lungs and through
the skin. For this reason, amphibians are often described as
having double circulation.

HEART OF REPTILES:
 Most reptiles also have a three-chambered heart similar to
the amphibian heart that directs blood to the pulmonary and
systemic circuits.
 The ventricle is divided more effectively by a partial septum,
which results in less mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated
blood.
 Some reptiles (alligators and crocodiles) are the most
primitive animals to exhibit a four-chambered heart.
 Crocodilians have a unique circulatory mechanism where the
heart shunts blood from the lungs toward the stomach and
other organs during long periods of submergence; for
instance, while the animal waits for prey or stays underwater
waiting for prey to rot.
 One adaptation includes two main arteries that leave the
same part of the heart: one takes blood to the lungs and the
other provides an alternate route to the stomach and other
parts of the body.
 Two other adaptations include a hole in the heart between
the two ventricles, called the foramen of Panizza, which
allows blood to move from one side of the heart to the other,
and specialized connective tissue that slows the blood flow to
the lungs. Together, these adaptations have made crocodiles
and alligators one of the most successfully-evolved animal
groups on earth.

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HEART OF MAMMALIAN:
In mammals and birds, the heart is also divided into four
chambers: two atria and two ventricles (figure d). The
oxygenated blood is separated from the deoxygenated blood,
which improves the efficiency of double circulation and is
probably required for the warm-blooded lifestyle of mammals
and birds. The four-chambered heart of birds and mammals
evolved independently from a three-chambered heart.

 On the outside, the heart mainly consists of a dark red muscle.


It is attached to four very important blood vessels: the Vena
Cava, the Pulmonary Artery, the Pulmonary Vein and the
Aorta.

 Internally, the heart is made up of four main cavities: two Atria (singular: atrium) and two Ventricles.
The atria hold blood briefly, then allow it to fall into the ventricles, which provide the actual ‘pump’.

 The atria are separated from the ventricles by Atrioventricular Valves (specifically called Tricuspid
Valves - right; and Bicuspid/Mitral Valves - left).

 he ventricles are separated from the aorta and the pulmonary artery by the Semilunar Valves
(specifically called, respectively, the Aortic and Pulmonary Valves). These prevent blood from flowing
in the wrong direction back into the heart.

SUMMARY
There are significant differences in the structure of the heart and the circulation of blood between
the different vertebrate groups due to adaptions during evolution and associated differences in
anatomy. Fish have a two-chambered heart with unidirectional circulation. Amphibians have a
three-chambered heart, which has some mixing of the blood, and they have double circulation.
Most non-avian reptiles have a three-chambered heart, but have little mixing of the blood; they
have double circulation. Mammals and birds have a four-chambered heart with no mixing of the
blood and double circulation.

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Common questions

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Crocodilians' circulatory system is highly successful due to several evolutionary adaptations. Their four-chambered heart, which minimizes mixing of blood, allows for efficient systemic and pulmonary circulation. Additionally, their unique mechanisms, including the foramen of Panizza and specialized connective tissue that regulates blood flow to lungs during submersion, enable energy conservation while submerged or resting. These features contribute to their ability to thrive in diverse environments and expand their ecological niches .

The evolution of a four-chambered heart in mammals and birds facilitates complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, enhancing the efficiency of double circulation. This separation allows these animals to deliver oxygen at a higher pressure and rate to their tissues, supporting their high metabolic demands associated with endothermy. This efficiency is essential for maintaining their constant body temperature in various environmental conditions, thus contributing to their warm-blooded lifestyle .

The presence of a partial septum in reptiles' hearts provides evolutionary advantages by reducing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood within the heart, thereby improving the efficiency of the circulatory system. This division allows for more effective separation of the pulmonary and systemic circuits, which supports their ectothermic lifestyle by optimizing oxygen delivery to tissues .

The structure of the mammalian heart, composed of four chambers with complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, supports high metabolic rates by ensuring efficient and high-pressure delivery of oxygen-rich blood to tissues. This separation maximizes oxygen supply and waste removal, facilitating the high aerobic demands of endothermy that allow mammals to sustain consistent and active metabolic functions across various environmental conditions .

The presence of the bulbus arteriosus in teleost fishes, as a muscular extension of the ventral aorta, plays a critical role in maintaining the consistency of blood flow from the heart to the gills. It ensures a smooth transition of blood by providing elasticity and reducing pulsatile fluctuations, which could otherwise hinder gas exchange at the gills. This structural adaptation enhances the circulatory efficiency by preserving stable pressure in the ventral aorta, accommodating the varied demands of their diverse aquatic habitats .

The evolutionary significance of circulatory adaptations in teleost fishes and amphibians demonstrates distinct responses to their respective environments. Teleost fishes have a two-chambered heart with a bulbus arteriosus that aids in the efficient movement of blood through the gills, reflecting adaptation to a fully aquatic environment. Conversely, amphibians have a three-chambered heart with a ventricle ridge that partially separates the blood, facilitating both aquatic and terrestrial life. This dual-life adaptation underscores the evolutionary pressures that have shaped their respective circulatory systems, optimizing respiratory efficiency and survival in variable habitats .

Crocodilians possess a unique circulatory mechanism with a four-chambered heart and adaptations such as the foramen of Panizza and specialized connective tissues. These adaptations enable crocodilians to shunt blood from the lungs to the stomach and other organs during submersion. This ability allows them to remain underwater for extended periods, waiting motionlessly for prey or simplifying digestion after consuming a meal, contributing significantly to their success as predators and allowing efficient energy utilization .

In cartilaginous fishes, the heart is a two-chambered venous heart composed of the sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle, and conus arteriosus. The conus arteriosus, which leads to the ventral aorta, contains conal valves to prevent backflow . In teleost fishes, although the heart also has similar structures, it has a bulbus arteriosus instead of a conus arteriosus. The bulbus arteriosus is a muscular extension of the ventral aorta, differentiating it from the conus arteriosus of cartilaginous fishes .

The circulatory system of amphibians, despite having some blood mixing in the three-chambered heart, exhibits efficiency through a ridge within the ventricle. This ridge diverts oxygen-rich blood into the systemic circulation and directs deoxygenated blood towards the pulmocutaneous circuit, where gas exchange occurs in both the lungs and skin. This adaptation allows amphibians to maintain relatively efficient oxygenation and circulation under varying environmental conditions, supporting their semi-aquatic lifestyle .

The primary structural difference between the hearts of amphibians and most reptiles is that while both have three-chambered hearts, reptilian hearts generally have a partial septum that further divides the ventricle. This septum reduces blood mixing more effectively than in amphibians, optimizing oxygen delivery. For reptiles, this adaptation supports a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle requiring efficient oxygen transport. Conversely, amphibians, with less effective separation, reflect their adaptable lifestyle involving significant time both in water and on land, utilizing skin for supplemental gas exchange .

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