Circulatory

System
BY:
Ghadir Haggag

Authored by: Ghadir Haggag

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Transport in Invertebrates
Circulatory system is an essential means of transporting materials like
respiratory gases, nutrients, hormones, intermediate metabolic
products and metabolic end prod-ucts, to and from all body tissues,
even those that are remote from the source of supply.
Not all animals do possess a circulatory system. In smaller
animals, transporting materials diffuse readily through the intercellular
spaces, so no circulatory system is required for their transport. Even
larger animals may lack a definite circulatory system because of their
primitive organization or low rate of metabolism.
However, the majority of multicellular animals because of their
body size, various activities and associ-ated metabolic demands
require a continu-ous and reliable circulation of body fluids carrying
different essential materials.
In invertebrates, the circulatory system is a network of channels
and spaces in the connective tissue, which is continuous around and
between all epithelial layers of the body. Invertebrate blood or haemal
channels range widely in size.
Small tubular channels are called vessels; large sac like spaces
are sinu-ses; small spaces are lacunae; and in case where the
connective tissue compartment enlarges to form a voluminous, blood
filled cavity, is called haemocoel.
Blood vessels that pass through mesenteries and septa are
overlain -by mesothelium, which is often composed of myocytes
bearing circularly arranged fibres. When the myocytes are distributed
widely over the surface of a blood vessel, their rhythmic contraction
produces peristalsis, which pushes the blood forward in waves.

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 Open Circulatory System vs Closed

Open circulatory system: It is primarily found in invertebrates.

Here, the blood flows freely through cavities since there are no
vessels to conduct the blood.

Closed circulatory system: It is found in vertebrates and a few

invertebrates, like earthworms. This system has vessels that
conduct blood throughout the body.

Open Circulatory System

In an open circulatory system, the blood-like fluid (called hemolymph) is not
fully enclosed in blood vessels. Instead, it flows freely through body cavities
(sinuses), directly bathing the organs and tissues. This system is less
efficient because circulation is slower and lacks high pressure. It is
commonly found in invertebrates like insects, crustaceans, and some
mollusks (e.g., snails). Since these organisms often have lower metabolic
demands, the open system provides sufficient oxygen and nutrient
distribution without the need for complex vessels.

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Closed Circulatory System
A closed circulatory system confines blood within a network of blood
vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), ensuring efficient and rapid
circulation under higher pressure. This system allows precise control over
blood flow and better oxygen/nutrient delivery to tissues. It is found in
vertebrates (e.g., humans, fish, birds) and some highly active invertebrates
(e.g., earthworms, squids). The closed system supports higher metabolic
demands, making it essential for larger, more active organisms.

Key Differences

Blood Flow: Open = hemolymph flows freely; Closed = blood stays in

vessels.
Efficiency: Open = slower, low pressure; Closed = faster, high
pressure.
Organisms: Open = mostly insects/mollusks; Closed = vertebrates &
some advanced invertebrates.
Complexity: Open = simple heart/no true vessels; Closed =
developed heart & vessels.

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Invertebrates with open circulatory systems
Major Groups of Invertebrates with Open Circulation:
Arthropods
Insects (e.g., ants, bees, grasshoppers)
Hemolymph is pumped by a tubular heart but lacks capillaries.

Oxygen is delivered via tracheal tubes, not the circulatory system.

Crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters, shrimp)

Have a more developed heart than insects but still rely on open circulation.

Arachnids (e.g., spiders, scorpions)

Use hemolymph for hydraulic limb movement (since they lack muscles in some
legs).

Most Mollusks (except cephalopods like squids and octopuses)

Gastropods (e.g., snails, slugs)

Bivalves (e.g., clams, oysters)

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Invertebrates with closed circulatory systems
Major Groups of Invertebrates with Closed Circulation:

Annelids (Segmented Worms)

Earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris)

Blood flows through dorsal and ventral blood vessels connected by
capillaries.
Uses hemoglobin (in blood plasma) to transport oxygen.

Polychaetes (marine worms, e.g., Nereis)

Have well-developed blood vessels and sometimes red blood cells.

Cephalopod Mollusks
Squid (Loligo), Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Cuttlefish (Sepia)
Highly active predators requiring efficient oxygen delivery.
Three hearts (two branchial hearts pump blood to gills, one systemic
heart pumps to body).
Blood contains hemocyanin (a copper-based oxygen carrier, giving it
a blue color).

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Why Do These Invertebrates Have a Closed System?

• High metabolic demands (e.g., cephalopods are fast-

moving hunters).

• Larger body size requires efficient oxygen distribution.

• Muscular activity (e.g., earthworms burrowing, squid jet

• propulsion).

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 Circulatory System in Vertebrates
The circulatory system in vertebrates is a closed, highly efficient
network of blood vessels and a muscular heart that delivers oxygen,
nutrients, and hormones while removing waste. Unlike invertebrates
with open systems, vertebrates evolved chambered hearts and
specialized blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries) to support
higher metabolic demands, mobility, and (in birds/mammals) warm-
bloodedness (endothermy).
Examples

Fish (2-Chambered Heart)

Structure:

• 1 Atrium (receives deoxygenated blood from body)

• 1 Ventricle (pumps blood to gills

Circulation Pathway (Single Loop):

1. Heart → Gills (blood picks up O₂, loses CO₂)

2. Gills → Body (oxygenated blood delivered)

3. Body → Heart (deoxygenated blood returns)

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Amphibians (3-Chambered Heart)

Structure:

• 2 Atria (right: deoxygenated blood; left: oxygenated blood)

• 1 Ventricle (partially mixes blood)

Circulation Pathway (Incomplete Double Loop):

1. Pulmonary Circuit: Heart → Lungs/Skin (O₂ pickup) → Heart

2. Systemic Circuit: Heart → Body → Heart

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Birds & Mammals (4-Chambered Heart)

Structure:

• 2 Atria + 2 Ventricles (complete separation of O₂-

rich/poor blood)

Circulation Pathway (Double Loop):

1. Pulmonary Circuit: Right heart → Lungs → Left heart

2. Systemic Circuit: Left heart → Body → Right heart

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 Human Circulatory System: Structure &
Function
The human circulatory system is a closed, double-loop network
powered by a 4-chambered heart, designed for high-efficiency
oxygen delivery and waste removal. It supports endothermy (warm-
bloodedness) and sustains complex organ systems.

A. The Heart (4 Chambers)

CHAMBER FUNCTION
RIGHT ATRIUM Receives deoxygenated
blood from body (via vena
cava)
RIGHT VENTRICLE Pumps blood to lungs (via
pulmonary artery)
LEFT ATRIUM Receives oxygenated blood
from lungs (via pulmonary
veins)
RIGHT VENTRICLE Pumps blood to body (via
aorta) – Thickest wall

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Valves: Prevent backflow (tricuspid, bicuspid/mitral,
pulmonary, aortic).

Cardiac Cycle: Systole (contraction) + Diastole (relaxation);

~72 BPM at rest.

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 B. Blood Vessels
TYPE FUNCTION EXAMPLE
ARTRIES Carry oxygenated
Aorta, Coronary
blood away from heart
arteries

VEINS Return deoxygenated Superior/Inferior vena

blood to heart cava
CAPILLARIES Microscopic vessels for Lung/alveolar
gas/nutrient exchange capillaries

Arteries: Thick, muscular walls (handle high pressure).

Veins: Thin walls with valves (prevent backflow).

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 C. Blood

• Plasma (55%): Liquid with proteins, hormones, nutrients.

• Cells (45%):
• Erythrocytes (RBCs): Carry O₂ (hemoglobin) and CO₂.
• Leukocytes (WBCs): Immune defense.

• Platelets: Clotting

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 Circulatory Pathways
A. Pulmonary Circulation (Heart → Lungs → Heart)

1. Deoxygenated blood enters right atrium → right ventricle.

2. Pumped to lungs via pulmonary artery (only artery carrying de-

O₂ blood).

3. Blood picks up O₂ in lung alveoli, returns to left atrium via

pulmonary veins (only veins carrying O₂-rich blood).

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B.Systemic Circulation (Heart → Body → Heart)

1. Oxygenated blood enters left atrium → left ventricle.

2. Pumped to body via aorta (largest artery).

3. Delivers O₂/nutrients, collects CO₂/waste via capillaries.

4. Returns to right atrium via vena cava.

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 Special Curcuits
Coronary Circulation: Supplies heart muscle itself.

Hepatic Portal System: Filters blood from gut through liver before
returning to heart.

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 Regulation & Adaptations

Blood Pressure: Controlled by baroreceptors (aortic

arch/carotid sinus).
Normal: ~120/80 mmHg.

Heart Rate: Modulated by autonomic nervous system (vagus

nerve slows it; adrenaline speeds it).

Thermoregulation: Capillaries dilate (cooling) or constrict

(heat retention).

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 Common Disorders

Disorder Cause Effect

Atherosclerosis Plaque buildup in ↑ Blood pressure,
arteries heart attack
Hypertension Chronic high blood Heart/kidney
pressure damage
Heart Failure Heart can’t pump Fluid buildup
efficiently (edema)
Anemia Low Fatigue, shortness of
RBCs/hemoglobin breath

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