Cardiovascular System! by: Jessica Elkins

Functions of the system.  The cardiovascular system is composed of blood, blood vessels and the heart. The heart functions as a pump to move blood through the blood vessels of the body. This system is essential for large, multi- cellular organisms, such as humans and animals, and provide at least five major functions that are necessary for life.  One of the most important functions of the system is to supply oxygen to all the cells in the body. Every cell in the body requires a constant supply of oxygen to stay alive. Because most of the cells are not in contact with air, the Cardiovascular system must supply them with oxygen.

Organs in the system.  There are only four organs in the Cardiovascular system. They are: The heart, lungs, veins, and arteries.  The heart is the main organ of the Cardiovascular system it pumps fresh, oxygen- rich blood through the body and out through the veins to the rest of the body's organs. The lungs bring oxygen into the body and send it to the heart. While the lungs and the heart are busy oxygenating and pumping the blood, it's the arteries and the veins that bring that blood to and from the farthest reaches of the body.

Other body system.  The cardiovascular system interacts with all systems. One of them is the digestive system. Food intake is important in supplying the body with the nutrition it needs. The digestive system works hard to process the nutrients contained in food, playing a key role in the in the process. The two bodily functions are tied together because the blood absorbs the vitamins stir (churned) from digestion. If the digestive system malfunctions, your circulation will be affected as well.

How the system works.  The cardiovascular system brings the body's cells what they need to survive like oxygen. The center of the cardiovascular system, is the heart, a powerful pump organ designed to beat many millions of times over the lifetime of an organism. The heart circulates blood throughout the veins and arteries. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, providing it to tissues, then returning the depleted red bloods cells back to the heart through the veins for deoxygenate it.