THE STRUCTURE AND

FUNCTION OF THE
CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
AND HOW IT
RESPONDS
TO EXERCISE
CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
The cardiovascular system is composed of three
main parts: the heart, the blood vessels and the
blood. Its function is to deliver oxygen and
nutrients and excrete waste products from all the
cells of the body.
Heart
The heart is the key organ in the circulatory system. As a
hollow, muscular pump, its main function is to propel
blood throughout the body. The heart is about the size of
a closed fist, and shaped like a cone. It is located behind
the sternum and ribs, slightly to the left of the centre of
the chest.
It is made up of
four chambers,
two upper atria
and two lower
ventricles.
 Circulation
The flow of fluid, especially blood, through the
tissues of an organism to allow for the transport
and exchange of blood gases, nutrients, and
waste products. The circulation of blood to the
tissues and back to the heart is caused by the
pumping action of the heart.
2 Pathways of Circulation:
PULMONARY CIRCULATION (to the lungs)
SYSTEMIC CIRCULATION (to the body).
VALVES WHICH ENSURE THAT THE BLOOD
CAN ONLY FLOW IN ONE DIRECTION:
1. ATRIO-VENTRICULAR VALVES
Valves are found between atria and ventricles
2. SEMI-LUNAR VALVES
between ventricles and the main vessels
transporting blood away from the heart
CHORDAE TENDINEAE
- a connective tissue that close the valve
BLOOD VESSELS
The blood and blood vessels are
responsible for carr ying blood and
nutrients around the body.
3 Types of Blood Vessels
1 ARTERIES
carry blood away from
the heart to the
working muscles and
other parts of the body
where oxygen and
nutrients are required.
ARTERIOLES
then join even
smaller vessels
known as
CAPILLARIES
where diffusion
takes place
2CAPILLARIES
essential link between
arteries and veins; they are
tiny vessels with semi
permeable membranes
allowing oxygen and nutrients
to be delivered to the tissues
and waste products such as
carbon dioxide and water to
beremoved
After diffusion the blood moves from
the capillaries into venules (small
veins); these then join together to form
larger veins as the blood is moved back
towards the heart
3 VEINS- blood
vessel carry
blood back to
the heart
 ARTERIES VEINS CAPILLARIES
Vessel wall Thick & muscular Thin Very thin
(one cell thick only)
Diameter Small Large Very small

Valves No Yes No

Pressure High Very low Low

Blood Oxygenated* De-oxygenated* Both

Blood flow Away from heart Towards heart From artery to vein

Function Carry nutrients and Carry waste products Allow diffusion of nutrients,
oxygen to working including carbon dioxide oxygen and carbon dioxide
tissues away from the working between the blood and the
tissues working tissues
BLOOD
The blood is the transport system
of the body
BLOOD FUNCTIONS:
•It transports oxygen and essential nutrients to the
tissues
•It returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the
lungs
•It carries waste products from the tissues to the
liver and kidneys to be broken down / excreted
•It distributes hormones
Component Description / function

Plasma Straw coloured liquid, mainly water

Carries nutrients
Red blood cells Known as erythrocytes
Contain haemoglobin which carries oxygen
Produced in bone marrow
Typically 40-45% of total blood volume
White blood cells Known as leucocytes
Fight infections
Produced in bone marrow
Fewer in number than red blood cells
Platelets Thrombocytes
Control bleeding after injury
Help in process of blood clotting and repairing damaged
tissues
Responses
to exercise
 SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF EXERCISE
ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Exercise has the following short term effects on the
cardiovascular system:

1.There is an increase in heart rate at the onset of exercise.

This is due to the release of the hormone adrenalin. Adrenalin
prepares the body for action by stimulating the respiratory
and circulatory systems. It is often associated with nerves,
butterflies, rapid breathing, and sweating palms
2 . There is an increase in stroke volume (the amount of
blood pumped out of the heart per beat). Because
there is an increase in both heart rate and stroke
volume cardiac output (the amount of blood pumped by
the heart per minute) also increases. (Cardiac output
(Q) = SV x HR)

3. The arteries and arterioles dilate in order to

accommodate the increased flow of blood. Dilation of
the blood vessels also keeps blood pressure low
4. The working muscles’ demand for oxygen means that
blood is redirected away from areas which need it less.
For example, when cycling blood may be redirected from
the gut to the legs
5. The body's temperature increases as does the
temperature of the blood. To cope with this increase in
temperature more blood is shunted to the skin surface to
help it cool. Sweating cools you by evaporation
6. Blood pressure increases at the onset of exercise
LONG TERM EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON THE
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
1. The heart muscle will also increase in size (cardiac
hypertrophy), particularly that of the left ventricle
leading to a more forceful contraction. More blood is
pumped per beat (stroke volume) and therefore per
minute (cardiac output)
2. Resting HR decreases (bradycardia), but SV
increases so the same amount of blood is pumped out
per beat at rest
3. There is an increase in the size and number of
blood vessels feeding the muscles and lungs
4. After endurance training (low intensity, long
duration) the quantity and quality of the blood
improves. More red blood cells are produced. This
means that more oxygen can be transported to and
used by the muscles
5. Blood pressure is decreased in individuals with
hypertension