Circulatory and Respiratory System
William Wright
The Circulatory System
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins carry blood to the heart, and capillaries exchange nutrients at a cellular level.
Blood enters the heart through the inferior and superior vena cava into the right atrium. The atrium contracts and sends the blood into the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve. Then it flows into the left atrium, then through the mitral valve it goes into the left ventricle. It goes through the aorta and into the body.
Blood is composed of four things: Plasma, Red Blood cells (Erythrocytes), White Blood cells (Leukocytes), and Platelets. Plasma is a clear liquid composed of water and protein which help circulate thing in the blood stream. Red Blood cells transport oxygen. White Blood cells help fight infections. And Platelets are a solid mass that cause scabs when a blood vessel is broken.
Atherosclerosis is when arteries get filled up with fatty stuff and causes them to stiffen. It can cause heart and kidney damage and stroke. Treatment would be to cut off on the fatty foods.
Myocardial infarction (MI) is lack of blood flow into the heart. Other people call it "heart attack." It causes strokes and major pain in the chest. Treatment if you aren't already dead would be rehabilitation.
The Resparitory System
Oxygen flows down through the trachea, into the lungs, into bronchial tubes, then into alveoli which are spongy air sacs that have capillaries around it. Oxygen goes through the alveoli into the capillaries, which go into the blood stream. Carbon dioxide blood goes into the alveoli back up the system.
Oxygen is carried through the blood stream by red blood cells through the blood and away from the heart. Carbon dioxide blood is also carried by red blood cell but back to the lungs towards the heart and out the mouth.
Asthma is the closing up of the airways which causes coughing, wheezing, and hard breathing. It can be caused by allergies, smoke, and pollen. Treatment includes inhalers or nebulizers.
Acute Bronchitis is caused by a virus or bacteria. It causes coughing and hard breathing.