Question

Describe the function of the heart.

Answer 1

• The heart contains four chambers: two upper chambers, known as atria, and two lower chambers, known as ventricles. The left and right chambers are entirely divided to prevent the mixing of oxygen- and carbon dioxide-rich blood.
• The vena cava (main vein) transports deoxygenated blood from all over the body to the right atrium. This blood is pumped from the right atrium to the right ventricle, which subsequently delivers it to the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
• The left atrium receives oxygenated blood via pulmonary veins (2 each from the right and left lungs). The blood is subsequently pumped into the left ventricle, which in turn pumps it into the aorta (main artery), where it is distributed throughout the body.

The circulation of blood can be illustrated by the following flow chart:

Answer 2

1. The heart circulates pure blood throughout the body and into the sea.
2. The blood in the body is mixed and circulated to the lungs, heart and liver for purification.
3. The heart transports water and other useful medicines to all the seas through the blood.