the cardiovascular system

what is the cardiovascular system made up of

heart, blood, blood vessels

right side of heart

deoxygenated blood enters right atrium from vena cava

right atrium contracts, pushes blood through valve into right ventricle

right ventricle contracts, pushes blood through valve into pulmonary artery

pulmonary artery carries blood to lungs

blood is oxygenated in lungs

left side of heart

oxygenated blood enters left atrium from pulmonary vein

left atrium contracts, pushes blood through valve into left ventricle

left ventricle contracts, pushed blood through valve into aorta

aorta transports blood to rest of body

body uses blood, causing it to become deoxygenated again

diastole

when the heart relaxes and fill with blood

systole

when the heart contracts and pumps blood out

one cardiac cycle

one diastole and systole

arteries

carry blood away from heart

carry oxygenated blood (apart from pulmonary)

thick muscular walls for high pressure of blood

veins

carry blood towards heart

carry deoxygenated blood (apart from pulmonary)

thinner walls, less muscle than arteries, carry lower pressure blood, valves to prevent backflow

capillaries

carry blood between veins and arteries + to exchange gases and nutrients throughout body

thin walls so substances easily pass through

very narrow, large surface area, slow blood flow

vasodilation

blood vessels widening to allow more blood flow - only capable by veins and arteries

vasoconstriction

blood vessels narrowing to stop as much blood flowing - only capable by veins and arteries

red blood cells

carry oxygen and transport it around body to be used to release energy

carry carbon dioxide

white blood cells

fight against disease

haemoglobin

protein in rbcs that stores oxygen and carbon dioxide

oxyhaemoglobin

formed by oxygen and haemoglobin combining