the heart

• What is the role of the circulatory system?

  To transport oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues
• What are the three main components of the circulatory system?

  Blood, blood vessels, and the heart
• How does the heart function in the circulatory system?

  The heart pumps blood to keep it moving through the vessels
• What is the structure of the circulatory system?

  • Composed of blood, blood vessels, and the heart
  • Functions as a double circulatory system
  • Contains two distinct loops: one for deoxygenated blood and one for oxygenated blood
• What are the two loops in the double circulatory system responsible for?

  One carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs, and the other carries oxygenated blood to the body
• What happens to deoxygenated blood in the lungs?

  It gains oxygen and then flows back to the heart
• How many chambers does the heart have?

  Four chambers
• What are the top chambers of the heart called?

  Atria
• What is the function of the valves in the heart?

  To prevent blood from flowing backwards
• Describe the path blood takes through the heart.

  1. Blood enters via the vena cava and pulmonary vein
  2. Flows into the right atrium and left atrium
  3. Atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles
  4. Ventricles contract, pushing blood into the pulmonary artery and aorta
  5. Cycle repeats approximately 70 times a minute
• What is the average heart rate in terms of cycles per minute?

  About 70 times a minute
• What is the role of pacemaker cells in the heart?

  They produce electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract
• What is an artificial pacemaker used for?

  To regulate the heart's contractions when pacemaker cells malfunction
• What distinguishes arteries from veins?

  Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to the heart
• Can you give an example of an artery that carries deoxygenated blood?

  The pulmonary artery
• What is the function of the coronary arteries?

  To supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
• What are the key points about the heart's blood supply?

  • Coronary arteries branch off the aorta
  • They encircle the heart
  • Provide oxygen and nutrients to heart muscle tissue