Animals: Structure & Function
Overall Expectations: E3-Demonstrate an understanding of animal anatomy and
physiology, and describe disorders of the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems.
Specific Expectations: E3.3 - Explain the anatomy of the circulatory system (e.g.,
blood components, blood vessels, the heart) and its function in transporting substances
that are vital to health.
Powerpoint:
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After whole group instruction regarding the anatomy of the circulatory system,
blood flow through the heart and body, and the chemical changes of the red blood
cell, students should be able to complete the following:
Problem:
Assume that you are a red blood cell. Describe in detail your experiences on a trip
from the right atrium, through the small intestines, and back to the right atrium. Be sure
to discuss chemical changes that you experience along the way.
First, label the diagrams with the terms below. A few terms will not have precise
locations. They should be labeled in approximation. (The first diagram included is
already labeled. Students will receive an unlabeled document.)
Create a graphic organizer that illustrates the journey of the red blood cell using the
following terms: pulmonary vein, pulmonary artery, left atrium, right atrium, aorta, lungs,
right ventricle, left ventricle, vena cava, and mesenteric arteries.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/heart/labelinterior/label.shtml
The graphic organizer can be created in many different ways and still be correct. The
answer is below in a flow chart type of organization beginning from the right atrium.
Students will begin wherever seems logical and continue back to their beginning point,
doing so within a graphic organizer/flowchart. (They will be shown many examples of
graphic organizers. Also, they will have had experience with these as they are utilized in
other lessons such as cellular respiration.)
Answer:
The red blood cell (RBC) enters the right atrium depleted of oxygen due to its journey
through the body. It has returned to cycle through the heart.

From the right atrium the RBC enters the right ventricle, still deoxygenated.

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated red blood cells to the lungs (pulmonary
circulation).

As the rbc flows through the capillary bed in the right and left lungs, it loads
oxygen and unloads carbon dioxide.

The oxygen rich rbc returns from the lungs via the pulmonary veins

The left atrium of the heart receives oxygen rich red blood cells, which flows to
the left ventricle

The left ventricle pumps oxygen rich blood red blood cells out to the body tissues
(systemic circulation)

Blood leaves the left ventricle via the aorta to arteries leading throughout the
body.

The aorta branches continuously in a posterior direction to provide oxygen rich
blood red blood cells to arteries leading to arterioles and capillaries.

The rbc is continuously depleted of oxygen as it reaches capillaries.

After passing through the capillary beds, the rbc returns to the veins.

Veins converge as the rbc reaches the heart and these converged veins form the
vena cava.

Oxygen depleted red blood cells flow from the vena cava and return to the right
atrium of the heart. From here the red blood cells will continue the cycle of
oxygenation and deoxygenation.
This arrow would be drawn to show a return to the right
atrium.