Chapter 34, Problem 10A

Summary Introduction

To write:

Difference between the function of the atria and the function of the ventricles.

Introduction:

The heart is a muscular organ approximately the size of a fist, present just behind and slightly left of the breastbone. The heart pumps blood through the network of the vessels called the cardiovascular system. The heart has four chambers, they are- right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle. The left ventricle’s strong contractions create our blood pressure.

Explanation of Solution

The two atria are thin-walled chambers that receive blood from the veins. The left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary (lung) circulation, and the right atrium receives blood from the venae cavae (venous circulation). The atria receive blood while relaxed (diastole), then contract (systole) to move blood to the ventricles. The two ventricles are thick-walled chambers that forcefully pump blood out of the heart. The right ventricle receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the main pulmonary artery and the left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the aorta.

Conclusion

Thus, an artery transports blood far away from the heart and closer to other tissues and organs. Arteries are part of the circulatory system, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to each cell inside the body. Ventricles are liable for the production, transport and removal of cerebrospinal fluid, which clear the central nervous system.