Physiology of visceral systems “Blood, circulation and respiration”: manual for individual work of second-year students (English-medium). Module 2. Physiology of visceral systems

Abstract

The blood, heart and blood vessels constitute the circulatory system and provide a link between the bodies’ internal compartments and external environment. More specifically, the blood transports nutrients from gastro-intestinal tract to cells, oxygen from respiratory system to cells, wastes from cells to excretory organs; it carries hormones from endocrine glands to target cells and aids in body thermoregulation. Thus, the blood provides vital support for cellular activities and participates in maintaining a favorable cellular environment. However, all these functions of blood are possible just in case of normal physiological state of heart and closed system of vessels that move blood throughout the body.