Functions
Transport: One main function of the cardiovascular system is to transport nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body
Removal: The cardiovascular system also removes metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide and nitrogenous wasters
Protection: The cardiovascular system protects the body by the white blood cells, antibodies, and complement proteins that circulate in the blood and defend the body against foreign microbes and toxins
Regulation: The cardiovascular system regulates body temperature, fluid, pH, and water content in cells
Removal: The cardiovascular system also removes metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide and nitrogenous wasters
Protection: The cardiovascular system protects the body by the white blood cells, antibodies, and complement proteins that circulate in the blood and defend the body against foreign microbes and toxins
Regulation: The cardiovascular system regulates body temperature, fluid, pH, and water content in cells
Blood components
Red Cells: Cells without nuclei that make up 40-50% of the total blood volume. Their main job is to carry oxygen from the lungs and to all of the living tissues in our body and carry away carbon dioxide.
White cells: These cells make up very little of our blood supply. They seek out infections in order to get rid of them. There are many different types of white cells.
Platelets: These are small fragments of cells that help the clotting or coagulation of blood by gathering at the site of an injury.
Plasma: This is the liquid component of blood. Its main function is to transport blood cells throughout your body. It is crucial to to our bodies.
White cells: These cells make up very little of our blood supply. They seek out infections in order to get rid of them. There are many different types of white cells.
Platelets: These are small fragments of cells that help the clotting or coagulation of blood by gathering at the site of an injury.
Plasma: This is the liquid component of blood. Its main function is to transport blood cells throughout your body. It is crucial to to our bodies.
Veins, arteries, and capillaries
Arteries are the thickest blood vessels and they are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. There are two coronary arteries that branch off at the beginning of the aorta and divide into a network of smaller arteries. Veins are not as muscular as arteries and they cary blood back to the heart. The two largest veins are the superior and inferior vena cavae. Capillaries are a tiny network that connects the arteries and veins. This is how oxygen gets delivered to the cells and how carbon dioxide is removed from the blood.