Body Fluids and Circulation

Body Fluids and Circulation

Animals particularly larger animals like mammals, are more active. They depend on locomotion to find food which is an energy consuming process. Nervous system is required to coordinate activities by sending nerve impulses that involves energy. All living cells have to be supplied with nutrients, oxygen and other substances and have to remove CO₂ and waste products from them. It is therefore essential to have efficient mechanisms for transport of these substances to and from the cells. Different groups of animals have evolved different methods of transport. Very small organisms like the sponges and coelenterates lack a circulatory system. Water from their surroundings enters their body cavity to facilitate the cells to exchange substances by diffusion. More complex organisms use special fluids and well organized transport systems within their body to transport such materials by bulk flow or connective transport with pumps. The phenomenon of bulk flow is fundamental to many physiological processes like respiration, digestion and excretion. The bulk flow of fluids can transport substances to long distances faster than by diffusion. The human circulatory system can circulate a millilitre of blood from the heart to feet and back again within 60 sec, rather than 60 years which may be needed if it were by diffusion.

Within our body the transport system helps in the coordination of physiological processes by transporting chemical signals from one place to another and assisting in the defence of the body by transporting immune cells to the sites of infection. These processes contribute to overall homeostasis (maintenance of constant internal environment). Movement of respiratory gases, hormones, nutrients, wastes and heat are carried by the circulatory system as shown in Figure 7.1.

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs and tissues whereas nutrients from the digestive system are carried to the liver and the wastes from the tissues are carried by the blood and finally removed by the kidneys. The hormones are transported to their target organs. Circulatory system helps to maintain the homeostasis of the body fluids and body temperature (heat exchange).

The homeostatic regulation of the cardio vascular system maintains blood flow, or perfusion, to the heart and brain. In vasovagal syncope (fainting), signals from the nervous system cause a sudden decrease in blood pressure, and the individual faints from lack of oxygen to the brain.