Blood carries hemoglobin which carries O2 and CO2.

O2 and CO2 are transported by diffusion.

Oxygenated Blood
Is bright red in color.
Deoxygenated Blood
Is dark red in color.
Appears blue through our skin and in educational models.
Hemoglobin
A protein used to transport oxygen.
Contains 4 heme molecules that bind to O2 and CO2.
  • Gas molecules bind to Fe (iron) molecules in the heme.

CO2 is primarily transported in the form of HCO3-.

CO2 is non-polar and can seep through cellular membranes.

Carbonic Anhydrase
An enzyme.
Facilitates two-way reactions to bind CO2 and O2 back and forth.
Concentration of CO2 drives which way the reaction occurs.

Ions are more soluble in water. CO2 forms acid in your blood and lowers pH. Must be kept in balance.

Hearts

Evolution of Hearts
  1. Atrium partial septate (separation)
  2. Atrium complete septate (separation)
  3. Ventricle partial septate (separation)
  4. Ventricle complete septate (separation)
Two-Chambered Hearts
Most Fishes
Single circuit
Single atrium and single ventricle
Most fishes don't have lungs so they don't have a need for a dedicated lung circuit.
Lung Fishes
Have a modified circulatory system
Double atrium, deoxygenated and oxygenated blood is mixed.
Three-Chambered Hearts
Amphibians
Have a double circuit.
Oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood mix.
Pulmonary Circuit

Heart > Lung > Heart

Systemic Circuit
All of body tissue.

Heart > Rest of Body > Heart

Three-Chambered Heart with Septum
Reptiles
Partially divided ventricle
Four-Chambered Heart
Crocodiles, birds, mammals
Oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood are kept completely separate.
Human Heart Four-Chambered Heart
Body to right atrium
Atrium to right ventricle
  • Ventricle away to lungs
Lungs back to left atrium
Atrium to left ventricle
Aorta from left ventricle out to the body.

Heartbeats

Diastolic
When your heart is at rest between beats.
Systolic
When your heart is actively beating.
Blood Pressure
Pressure exerted on blood vessel walls varies between systolic (max) and diastolic (min).
Coronary Tissues
Heart muscles