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Lesson 1 Summary
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Lesson 1: What is the circulatory system?

Vocabulary
artery a type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to
other parts of the body
capillary the thinnest artery
vein a type of blood vessel that carries blood from the cells back to the
heart
valve an opening that allows blood to flow in one direction but stops it
from flowing in the other direction

The circulatory system brings food and

oxygen to every cell in your body. It also
takes away cell waste. The heart, blood,
and blood vessels are part of the circulatory
system. Blood vessels are tubes that carry
blood through the body.

Functions of the Blood

Your blood has many parts. Each part
has a different job. Plasma in your blood
brings food and water to your cells. Plasma
also takes away waste and moves chemicals
from one part of the body to another.
Red blood cells in your blood carry
oxygen to cells in the body. Your cells need
oxygen to get energy from food.
White blood cells protect your body
against germs and harmful things. Your
body makes more white blood cells when it
needs to fight infection. Some white blood
cells carry chemicals that kill germs. Other
white blood cells wrap around the germ
and break it down.
Platelets are pieces of cells that float
in the blood. Platelets stop bleeding by
sticking together near the edges of a cut.

Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins

The circulatory system has three kinds of
blood vessels. Arteries carry blood away

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Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Summary

from the heart to other parts of your body.

Almost all arteries carry blood with lots of
oxygen. Arteries branch many times into
smaller and smaller tubes.
Capillaries are the smallest blood
vessels. Oxygen from your blood passes
through the walls to your cells. Carbon
dioxide and other wastes move from cells
into capillaries. Capillaries carry blood into
veins. Veins are blood vessels that bring
blood from cells back to the heart. Veins
have valves. Valves are flaps that keep
blood flowing in one direction.

Parts of the Heart

The heart pumps blood through the
circulatory system. The heart has two sides.
Each side has two parts. The upper part of
each side is called an atrium. The lower
part is called a ventricle.
Blood flows through all four parts of
the heart. Veins carry blood into the right
atrium. This blood carries waste and
carbon dioxide from cells. The right atrium
pushes the blood into the right ventricle.
Next, the right ventricle pumps the blood
into an artery that goes to the lungs. The
blood gets oxygen in the lungs. Then the
blood flows into the left atrium. The left
atrium pushes blood into the left ventricle.
The left ventricle pumps blood with
oxygen into your arteries. This blood is
sent to body cells.
Quick Study

Pearson Education, Inc. 5

The Bodys Transportation

System

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Lesson 1 Checkpoint
Use with pp. 6369

Lesson 1 Checkpoint
1. What is the job of the circulatory system?

2. What is the function of white blood cells?

3. How are the jobs of a vein and an artery the same? How are they
different?

4. Identify common diseases of the circulatory system.

Pearson Education, Inc. 5

5. What is the job of your hearts left atrium?

Quick Study

Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Checkpoint

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