The Cardiovascular System is vital for our survival. It is composed of the heart and blood vessels (including arteries, veins, and capillaries). With each heartbeat the heart helps pump blood through our bodies. This blood helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body as well as removes carbon dioxide and waste. The cardiovascular system also helps protect the body from disease (white blood cells) and regulates body temperature.
Diagram of the heart:
Diagram of the heart:
There are three types of blood cells circulating throughout our bodies. There are white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each of these three blood cells contribute something different to our body. Along with these our blood contains fats, hormones, carbohydrates, proteins and gasses.
White Blood Cells: These blood cells help fight off infection, and are crucial for our immune system. When our body is fighting off infection our body increases the amount produced. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes.
Red Blood Cells: These blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. These are the most present blood cells in the body (about 35 trillion). Red Blood cells are also known as erythrocytes.
Platelets: These blood cells help the blood clot. If a vein or artery is broken the platelets help stop the flow of blood from the body. Platelets are also known as thrombocytes.
White Blood Cells: These blood cells help fight off infection, and are crucial for our immune system. When our body is fighting off infection our body increases the amount produced. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes.
Red Blood Cells: These blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. These are the most present blood cells in the body (about 35 trillion). Red Blood cells are also known as erythrocytes.
Platelets: These blood cells help the blood clot. If a vein or artery is broken the platelets help stop the flow of blood from the body. Platelets are also known as thrombocytes.
Your heart is divided into two parts a right and left side. This helps prevent oxygen-rich blood mixing with oxygen-poor blood. Within our heart there are a network of tiny Capillaries. The capillaries connect the arteries and veins. Through them nutrients and oxygen can be delivered to the cells. Capillaries can also remove waste products like carbon dioxide. The veins are important because they bring deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart. The arteries help the heart by bringing the oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
photo sources:
photo of heart:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=labeled+heart+diagram&num
photo of blood: http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Anatomy/blood.cfm
photo sources:
photo of heart:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=labeled+heart+diagram&num
photo of blood: http://www.texasheart.org/HIC/Anatomy/blood.cfm