by Tiwari Academy
Double circulation is a type of blood circulation system found in humans and other mammals, as well as in birds. It consists of two separate circuits: the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit. This system is necessary for efficient oxygenation of blood and to maintain the separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated bloodDeoxygenated blood is blood that has delivered most of its oxygen to the body’s cells and has become rich in carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular metabolism. This darker-colored blood returns to the heart and is then pumped to the lungs, where it releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen., which is crucial for mammals and birds that have high metabolic rates.
Description of Double Circulation
Pulmonary Circulation:
This circuit transports deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.
Blood lacking in oxygen is pumped from the right ventricle of the heart into the pulmonary artery.
In the lungs, carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood, and oxygen is absorbed.
The oxygen-rich blood then returns to the left atrium of the heart via the pulmonary veins.
Systemic Circulation
This circuit carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Oxygen-rich blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the aorta, which distributes it to the rest of the body through various arteries.
After delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues and picking up carbon dioxide and other waste products, the now deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium of the heart through the venae cavae.
Why Double Circulation is Necessary
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Efficient Oxygenation and Higher Blood Pressure in Systemic Circuit
Efficient Oxygenation:
Double circulation allows for a more efficient transfer of oxygen to the body. The separation of circuits ensures that a high concentration of oxygen in the blood is maintained as it flows to the body’s tissues.
Higher Blood Pressure in Systemic Circuit:
The separation of the pulmonary and systemic circuits allows for different blood pressures in each. The systemic circuit operates at a higher pressure, which is necessary to deliver blood to the entire body.
Rapid Delivery of Oxygen and Prevention of Mixing of Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Blood
Rapid Delivery of Oxygen:
Mammals and birds have high metabolic rates, which require rapid delivery of oxygen to tissues and equally efficient removal of carbon dioxide. Double circulation meets these demands effectively.
Prevention of Mixing of Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Blood:
In double circulation, oxygenated and deoxygenated blood are kept separate, ensuring that organs receive blood with a high oxygen content. This is particularly important for the brain and other vital organs.
Adaptation to Terrestrial Life
Double circulation is an adaptation to terrestrial life, where the demand for oxygen is higher compared to aquatic environments. It supports the higher energy needs of mammals and birds.
In summary, double circulation is a key feature of the cardiovascular system in humans and other mammals, as well as birds, facilitating efficient oxygen delivery to meet high metabolic demands and ensuring the effective functioning of various organ systems.
What is adaptation to terrestrial life?
Adaptation to terrestrial life refers to the evolutionary changes that organisms have undergone to live successfully on land. This transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments posed significant challenges, such as the need for structural support, efficient respiration in air, water conservation, and reproduction outside of water. Plants and animals developed various adaptations to overcome these challenges. For instance, plants evolved roots for water and nutrient absorption from the soil, and a waxy cuticle to reduce water loss. They also developed supportive structures like lignin to withstand gravity, and complex reproductive systems including seeds and pollen. Animals, on the other hand, developed lungs or modified respiratory systems for breathing air, limbs for mobility on land, and different reproductive strategies to protect their offspring from desiccation and predators.
These adaptations have led to a remarkable diversification of terrestrial life. In animals, features like waterproof skin, internal fertilization, and the development of eggs with protective shells or internal development of embryos are key terrestrial adaptations. Behavioral adaptations, such as burrowing or nocturnal lifestyles, also evolved to conserve water and manage temperature. In plants, the development of vascular systems for efficient transport of water and nutrients, and the evolution of different leaf structures for optimized photosynthesis and gas exchange, are significant adaptations. These evolutionary changes reflect the incredible ability of life to adapt to new environments, leading to the vast array of terrestrial species we see today.
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