Circulation and Gas Exchange

Chapter 42

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Transport Systems

•      Functionally connect organs of exchange with body cells

•      Gastrovascular cavities - function in both digestion and circulation - sufficient for body plans of cnidarians and flatworms

•      Circulatory systems - active pumping of fluid - ensures that no substance must diffuse very far to enter or leave cell

 

Circulatory Systems

•      Open - tissues bathed directly by hemolymph pumped by heart into sinuses - common in most arthropods and molluscs

•      Closed - blood confined to vessels and pumped by pulsating vessels or heart - common in annelids, some molluscs, all vertebrates

 

Cardiovascular System
in Vertebrates

•      Heart (2- to 4-chambered, depending on group)

•      Blood pumped from ventricles into arteries arterioles capillary beds venules veins atria

•      Double circulation - separte circuits to lungs and rest of body - no mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood 

 

Cardiac Cycle

•      One complete cycle of heart’s pumping & filling

•      Systole - period of contraction

•      Diastole - period of relaxation

•      Coordinated by pacemaker - sinoatrial node of right atrium - directs atria to contract followed by ventricles

 

Vessels

•      Arteries and veins - 3 layers (endothelium, smooth muscle, elastic fibers, connective tissue)

•      Capillaries - endothelium layer - sites of chemical exchange between blood and interstitial fluid

•      Heart maintains pressure in arteries - movement & valves important in veins

 

Role of Lymphatic System

•      Blood “lost” in capillary beds enters lymphatic capillaries - becomes lymph - similar to interstitial fluid

•      Returns to circulatory system near heart

•      Lymph nodes filled with white blood cells - filters lymph - important in defense against infection

 

Components of Blood

•      Connective tissue with cells suspended in plasma - complex aqueous solution - nutrients, wastes, gases, hormones, etc..

•      Erythrocytes - red blood cells - transport of oxygen

•      Leukocytes - defense against infection

•      Stem cells - give rise to all blood cells

•      Platelets - important in blood clotting

 

Gas Exchange

•      Cellular respiration demands constant supply of oxygen & elimination of carbon dioxide

•      Diversity of respiratory adaptations in aquatic vs. terrestrial organisms

•      Gases diffuse down concentration gradients - from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

 

Respiratory Adaptations -
Aquatic Animals

•      Cutaneous - absorption through skin - most are either long and thin, or flat in shape - high ratio of surface area to volume

•      Gills - used by most aquatic animals

•      Ventilation - forced movement of water  over gills - inceases efficiency of exchange

•      Countercurrent exchange - blood and water (over gills) flow in opposite directions

 

Respiratory Adaptations - Terrestrial Animals

•      Trachael systems - branching tubes permeate body - bring oxygen directly to cells - common in arthropods

•      Internal lungs - located in one area - not in direct contact with cells - relies on circulatory system to transport oxygen to rest of body - most terrestrial animals

 

Ventilation

•      Breathing - alternate inhalation and exhalation of air

•      Positive and negative pressure systems

•      In birds, air sacs ensure one-way flow of air through lungs - also reduce density

•      Regulated by breathing control center in brain 

 

Respiratory Pigments

•      Transport gases - buffer blood

•      Hemocyanin - contains copper - widespread in invertebrates

•      Hemoglobin - contains iron - widespread in vertebrates 

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