Explain the working of pulmonary circulation, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the working of Pulmonary Circulation?

In pulmonary circulation, blood is pumped to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. Blood returning from the body, containing a high concentration of CO2 and a low concentration of O2, enters the right atrium, and is pumped through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps blood through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery, which divides into two smaller arteries, one leading to each lung. These arteries subsequently divide into smaller branched arterioles, and then into fine capillaries.

The capillaries surrounding the alveoli making up the lungs are small and very thin-walled. Only one red blood cell is able to pass through at a time. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli through the capillary walls and into the blood stream, where it combines with hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells. Carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction, from the hemoglobin in red blood cells, through the capillary walls, and into the alveoli, where it is exhaled to the atmosphere.

Upon becoming oxygenated, blood returns from the lungs through venules that join to form four pulmonary veins leading to the left atrium of the heart. The left atrium will then pump the blood through the bicuspid valve into the left ventricle.

Note that the pulmonary arteries are the only arteries that carry deoxygenated blood and the pulmonary veins are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood. The assimilation of oxygen is accompanied by a change in color of blood from a dark to a bright red. In most cases, one is usually able to distinguish between arterial blood and venous blood by its color.

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the working of pulmonary circulation

Natural and artificial ecosystem, Natural and Artificial Ecosystem i) N...

Natural and Artificial Ecosystem i) Natural ecosystems are those which are mostly free from human disturbances, such as tropical forests, grasslands, oceans, lakes and deserts.

Fatty acids, F A TT Y ACIDS They are monocarboxylic organic acids...

F A TT Y ACIDS They are monocarboxylic organic acids (R.COOH) having a hydrocarbon chain of 4 - 30 carbon atoms. The polar carboxylic group is hydrophilic (Gk. hydro

What is the advantage of the double and complete circulation, How many cham...

How many chambers do the bird heart and the mammalian heart have? Concerning temperature maintenance what is the advantage of the double and complete circulation of these animals?

Tree, what is a seed?

what is a seed?

Explain the development of sirs or mods, Explain the Development of SIRS or...

Explain the Development of SIRS or MODS? Multiple hypothesis have been proposed to explain the development of SIRS or MODS. The progression of SIRS to MODS appears to be mediat

Explain gelation - function of proteins, Explain Gelation - Function of pro...

Explain Gelation - Function of proteins Gelation  refers to the process where denatured molecules aggregate to form an ordered protein network. Proteins  can form a well-order

Natural selection is such a powerful force, Natural selection is such a pow...

Natural selection is such a powerful force in evolution because cells with even a small growth advantage quickly outgrow their competitors. To illustrate this process, consider a b

Excreation, what is the role of liver for the metabolism of carbohydrates

what is the role of liver for the metabolism of carbohydrates

Define nutritional needs during recovery, Define nutritional needs During R...

Define nutritional needs During Recovery? Here, let us discuss what should be the nutritional goals based on the physiological aspects involved. Goals: The main emphasis mus

Side effects of sedatives and hypnotics, Side Effects of Sedatives and Hypn...

Side Effects of Sedatives and Hypnotics: Side effects are same  like anti anxiety drugs such as hypotension, palpitation, syncope (fainting), change in libido, physical or psy

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd