Circulatory System Review Sheet
1. What is the function of the circulatory system?
The circulatory system is your body’s transportation system. It carries nutrients and oxygen to all of
your cells while removing carbon dioxide and other wastes from the cells.
2. Distinguish between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the ventricles are contracting. Diastolic blood
pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the ventricles are relaxing.
3. Fill in the chart below to describe the types of blood cells and the function of each
Cell Type
Description
Small cells shaped like caved-in disks. When
mature, they have lost their nucleus and
mitochondria. Their red color comes from the
protein hemoglobin.
Erythrocytes
Leukocytes
Platelets
Function
Carry oxygen
Generally larger than erythrocytes, they do have
nuclei and mitochondria.
Fight infection
Small cell fragments
Blood clotting
4. Explain what blood plasma is, what it is made of, and its major functions.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. It is 90% water. The remaining 10% contains dissolved salts
(ions), proteins, nutrients and waste products.
5. Identify each of the blood vessels below and tell the function of each:
C
A
Artery – carries
blood away from
the heart; thicker
wall; carries blood
at higher pressure.
B
Capillaries – links
arteries and veins;
single layer thick wall
and network of tiny
vessels allow for rapid
exchange of materials
(high SA/V ratio)
Vein – carries
blood toward the
heart; thinner
wall; carries blood
at lower pressure.
6. Explain the function of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system returns fluid lost from the capillaries to the interstitial fluid to the blood.
7. Trace the path of a drop of blood, starting from the left atrium until it returns to the left atrium again.
(Assume that it passes through the head at one point.). Name all the major structures through which it
passes.
Left atrium, through the left AV valve into the left ventricle, into the aorta, to smaller arteries, then
capillaries, then veins in the head, into the superior vena cava, to the right atrium, through the right AV
valve into the right ventricle, into one of the branches of the pulmonary artery, to smaller arteries, then
capillaries, them small veins in the lungs, into a pulmonary vein, then back to the left atrium.
8. Label the picture of the heart below:
D Aorta
E Pulmonary artery
Superior vena cave
C
F Left atrium
G Pulmonary vein
Right atrium
B
H Left AV valve
I Left ventricle
Inferior vena cave
A
J Right ventricle
9. Tell which of the structures above carry oxygen-rich blood and which carry oxygen-poor blood.
Oxygen-rich: Pulmonary veins, left atrium, left ventricle, aorta
Oxygen-poor: Superior vena cave, inferior vena cava, right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery