Lesson 14: Animal blood circulation

Arteriole

A small blood vessel that carries blood from arteries to capillaries.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Blood pressure

The force of blood pushing against vessel walls.

Blood vessels

Tubes that carry blood throughout the body.

Capillary

A tiny blood vessel where gases and nutrients are exchanged.

Closed circulatory system

Blood stays within vessels at all times.

Clotting

The process that stops bleeding by forming a blood clot.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen.

Erythropoietin

A hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

Fibrin

A protein that forms a mesh to hold blood clots together.

Heart

A muscular organ that pumps blood through the body.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

Hemolymph

A fluid that functions as blood in animals with open circulatory systems.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that help fight infection.

Hypo/Hypertension

Low blood pressure / high blood pressure.

Lymphatic system

A network that returns fluid to the blood and helps with immunity.

Open circulatory system

Blood (hemolymph) is not always contained in vessels.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood.

Plasma proteins

Proteins in plasma involved in clotting, immunity, and transport.

Platelets

Cell fragments that help blood clot.

Pluripotent stem cells

Cells that can develop into many different cell types.

Red blood cells

Cells that transport oxygen using hemoglobin.

Septum

A wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart.

Vasoconstriction/dilation

Narrowing / widening of blood vessels.

Vein

A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

Ventricle

A lower heart chamber that pumps blood out of the heart.

Venule

A small vessel that carries blood from capillaries to veins.

Vessels

Structures that transport blood or lymph.

White blood cells

Cells that protect the body from disease.

Atrium

An upper chamber of the heart that receives blood.