READ: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Functions of the Cardiovascular System

Your cardiovascular system has many jobs. It acts as a message delivery service, a pump, a heating system, and a protector of the body against diseases. Every cell in your body depends on your cardiovascular system. In this chapter, you will learn how your cardiovascular system works and how it helps to maintain homeostasis.

The cardiovascular system shown in Figure below is the organ system that is made up of the heart, the blood vessels, and the blood. It moves nutrients, hormones, gases (such as oxygen) and wastes (such as carbon dioxide) to and from your cells. It also helps to keep you warm by moving warm blood around your body. To do these tasks, your cardiovascular system works with other organ systems, such as the respiratory, endocrine, and nervous systems.

The Movement of Gases

The movement of gases, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide, is one of the most important jobs of the cardiovascular system. But the cardiovascular system cannot do this alone. It must work with other organ systems, especially the respiratory system, to move these gases throughout your body.

Oxygen is needed by every cell in your body. You breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide through your respiratory system. Once oxygen enters your lungs, it must enter your blood stream in order to move around your body. Oxygen is moved in your blood by attaching to a protein called hemoglobin. The oxygen moves from the blood into the tissues, while carbon dioxide travels in the opposite direction. Carbon dioxide is transported back to the lungs, where it moves out of the blood and into your lungs for release from your body.