The Circulatory System
Most animals are complex multicellular organisms that require a mechanism for transporting nutrients throughout their bodies and removing waste products. The circulatory system has evolved over time from simple diffusion through cells in the early evolution of animals to a complex network of blood vessels that reach all parts of the human body. This extensive network supplies the cells, tissues, and organs with oxygen and nutrients, and removes carbon dioxide and waste, which are byproducts of respiration. At the core of the human circulatory system is the heart. Understanding the heart’s basic anatomy and function is important to understanding the body’s circulatory and respiratory systems. This pathway provides an in-depth look at the circulatory system; components of the blood; the mammalian heart & blood vessels; blood flow & blood pressure regulation. The pathway also provides vocabulary support for these topics, as well as opportunities for learners to self-assess their understanding by analyzing figures and answering questions. Advanced Placement® and AP® are trademarks registered and/or owned by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this textbook.
Topics
- angina
- aorta
- arteriole
- artery
- atherosclerosis
- atrioventricular valve
- atrium
- bicuspid valve
- blood pressure
- BP
- capillary
- capillary bed
- cardiac cycle
- cardiac output
- cardiomyocyte
- closed circulatory system
- coronary artery
- coronary vein
- diastole
- double circulation
- electrocardiogram
- ECG
- endocardium
- epicardium
- gill circulation
- hemocoel
- hemolymph
- inferior vena cava
- interstitial fluid
- lymph node
- myocardial infarction
- myocardium
- open circulatory system
- ostium
- pericardium
- peripheral resistance
- plasma
- platelet
- precapillary sphincter
- pulmocutaneous circulation
- pulmonary circulation
- red blood cell
- semilunar valve
- serum
- sinoatrial
- SA node
- SA
- stroke volume
- SV
- superior vena cava
- systemic circulation
- systole
- tricuspid valve
- unidirectional circulation
- vasoconstriction
- vasodilation
- vein
- vena cava
- ventricle
- venule
- white blood cell