The Circulatory System
By Anna Longhofer and Katie Murski
The Functions Of The Circulatory System
The function of the circulatory system is to transport blood, nutrients, and oxygen to cells. It stabilizes pH and ionic concentration of the body fluids, maintains body temperature, provides the right chemical balance to provide homeostasis, and contains cells that fight infection.
The System's Structure
The Heart
The Blood Vessels
The Lungs
How The Circulatory System Is Connected To The Other Body Systems
The Circulatory System is intertwined with the Respiratory System (the lungs) through the air you take in because eventually, the air will be transferred into your blood to be carried around the body to different cells.
It is connected to the Skeletal System as well because the marrow inside the bones produce red blood cells which carry materials where they are needed when they are needed.
The Endocrine System is related to the Circulatory System in that it produces hormones which, in turn, are transported around the body through the blood.
Lastly, the Digestive System is connected this particular system because it picks out nutrients from food and send them into your blood stream so that cells can use them.
Common Diseases Of The System
*** Any disease or problem with the blood vessels affects the integrity of the circulatory system.***
Arteriosclerosis : the hardening and thickening of the walls of arteries
-caused by the build up of fat and cholesterol in the artery wall
-can lead to strokes or heart attacks and limit blood flow
Aortic aneurysm : the bulging and swelling of a section of the aorta
-caused by high blood pressure, smoking, aging, and high cholesterol
-can weaken aorta to point of bursting and releasing blood into the body
Hypertension (high blood pressure) : the high force of blood pressure against artery walls
-caused by bad diets and smoking
-can lead to heart failure, stroke, and failing eyesight
Current Medical Research That Involves The Circulatory System
1. Optimism may be linked to reduced risk of heart failure. A research team has found that individuals with that are more optimistic have a 73% lower risk overtime compared with pessimistic people.
2. The connection between saturated fats and heart disease is being reviewed. In 72 separate studies, no evidence was found to support restriction of saturated fat intake.
3. A link to heart attack risk was identified with a new gene-scanning idea. When the scientists used the different gene-scanning process, they saw that when using a different variation of genes that makes blood lipid levels (basically cholesterol levels) healthier.