Chapter No.

8 - The Circulatory system

A. Multiple choice questions
1. Non-granular WBCs are:
(a) lymphocytes and monocytes
(b) lymphocytes and basophils
(c) eosinophils and basophils
(d) eosinophils and monocytes
Ans: (a) lymphocytes and monocytes

2. White blood cells engulf bacteria in a process called:

(a) diapedesis
(b) phagocytosis
(c) active transport
(d) passive transport
Ans: (b) phagocytosis

3. The nearest organ to which the heart supplies oxygenated blood is

(a) Lung
(b) Stomach
(c) Intestine
(d) Heart itself
Ans: (d) Heart itself

4. When a doctor is recording your pulse, he is pressing on your wrist

exactly on a
(a) vein
(b) capillary
(c) artery
(d) arteriole
Ans: (c) artery

5. Angina Pectoris is due to

(a) defective nutrition
(b) chest pain due to inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart
muscle
(c) defective functioning of mitral valve
(d) infection by a virus
Ans: (b) chest pain due to inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart
muscle
6. The chief function of lymph nodes is to
(a) produce WBCs
(b) produce hormones
(c) destroy old RBCs
(d) destroy pathogens
Ans: (d) destroy pathogens

7. Heart sounds are produced due to

(a) closure of tricuspid and bicuspid valves
(b) rushing of blood through valves producing turbulence
(c) closure of atrioventricular and semilunar valves
(d) entry of blood into auricles
Ans: (a) closure of tricuspid and bicuspid valves

B. Very Short Answer Type

1. Given below are certain structures, write their chief functional

activity.
(a) Blood platelets ------
Ans: (a) Blood platelets and blood coagulation

(b) Neutrophils -----

Ans: (b) Neutrophils and phagocytosis

(c) Erythrocytes -----

Ans: (c) Erythrocytes and transportation of gases
(d) Lymphocytes -----
Ans: (d) Lymphocytes and Produce antibodies

(e) Bone marrow -----

Ans: (e) Bone marrow and destruction of old and weak
RBC's/production of RBCs and WBCs.

2. Name the following:

(a) The cells transport oxygen to the different parts of the human
body.
Ans: (a) Red Blood Cells

(b) The cells that initiate blood clotting.

Ans: (b) Blood Platelets

3. Name the following:

(a) Any one vein which starts from an organ and ends in another
organ besides the heart.
Ans: (a) Hepatic portal vein

(b) The kind of blood vessels which have no muscular walls.

Ans: (b) Blood Capillaries

(c) Any artery which carries impure (deoxygenated) blood.

Ans: (c) Pulmonary artery

(d) The kind of blood cells which can squeeze out through the walls of
one category of blood vessels.
Ans: (d) White blood cells

(e) The smallest common blood vessels formed by the union of

capillaries.
Ans: (e) Venules
(f) The category of blood vessels which start from capillaries and end
in capillaries.
Ans: (f) Portal vein

(g) The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the auricles contract.
Ans: (g) Atrial systole

(h) The valve is present in between the chambers on the right side of
the human heart.
Ans: (h) Tricuspid valve

(i) The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles get filled
with blood from the atrium.
Ans: (i) Atrial systole

(j) The fluid found between the membranes of the heart.

Ans: (j) Pericardial fluid

4. Complete the following statements by filling in the blanks from the

choices given in the brackets.
(a) The blood vessel that begins and ends in capillaries is the ______.
(hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein, hepatic vein)
Ans: (a) The blood vessel that begins and ends in capillaries is the
hepatic portal vein.

(b) A blood vessel that has a small lumen and a thick wall is _______.
(capillary, lymphatic duct, artery, venule)
Ans: (b) A blood vessel that has a small lumen and the thick wall is an
artery.

(c) The valve which prevents the backflow of blood in the veins and
lymph vessels ______. (mitral valve, tricuspid valve, semilunar valve)
Ans: (c) The valve which prevents the backflow of blood in the veins
and lymph vessels is a semilunar valve.
(d) An anticoagulant present in the blood is _______.(heparin, hirudin,
thromboplastin, calcium)
Ans: (d) An anticoagulant present in the blood is heparin.

5. Note the relationship between the first two words and suggest the
suitable word/words for the fourth place:
(a) Lubb: Atrio-ventricular valve:: Dub:_______
Ans: (a) Lubb: Atrio-ventricular valve:: Dub: Semilunar valves

(b) Coronary artery: Heart::Hepatic artery:______

Ans: (b) Coronary artery: Heart::Hepatic artery: Liver

6. Given the reason, why does a matured mammalian erythrocyte

lacks a nucleus and mitochondria?
Ans: A matured mammalian erythrocyte lacks a nucleus and
mitochondria. The lack of a nucleus increases the surface area-
volume ratio of RBCs, thus increasing the area for oxygen absorption.
Also, the lack of a nucleus reduces the size of the cell, making it easy
to flow through the blood vessels and more cells can be
accommodated in a small area.
The lack of mitochondria implies that the cell does not use any
oxygen absorbed for respiration, thus increasing the efficiency of the
cell to transport oxygen as all the oxygen absorbed is transported
without any loss.

C. Short Answer type

1. Enumerate the structural differences between white blood cells

and red blood cells.
Ans: Structural Differences between White Blood Cells and Red Blood
Cells:

White Blood Cells Red Blood Cells

1. White blood cells are Red blood cells are minute biconcave
amoeboid in shape. disc-like structures.

2. Nucleus is present in these

No nucleus is present in these cells.
cells.

3. Absence of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is present.

2. Why is it necessary to know the blood groups before giving a

transfusion?
Ans: During a blood transfusion, it is necessary to know the blood
groups before transfusion because of the compatibility issues of the
donor and recipient blood. In case of an incompatible blood
transfusion, the recipient develops antibodies that attack the
antigens present on the RBCs of the donor causing the blood cells to
clump together which may result in death.

3. Differentiate between members of each of the following pairs with

reference to phrases in brackets:
(a) Antibodies and Antibiotics (Source)
Ans: (a) Differences between antibodies and antibiotics based on
their source:
Antibodies Antibiotics

Lymphocytes produce them in They are medicines extracted from

response to the entry of some bacteria and fungi. Antibiotics
pathogens into the destroy or inhibit the growth of
bloodstream. pathogens.

(b) Serum and Vaccine (Composition)

Ans: (b) Differences between serum and vaccine based on their
composition:

Serum Vaccine

The plasma from which The vaccine is killed or living weakened

the protein fibrinogen germs that are introduced in the body to
has been removed is stimulate the production of antibodies
called serum. against pathogens for a particular disease.

(c) Erythrocytes and leucocytes (function)

Ans: (c) Differences between erythrocytes and leucocytes based on
their function:
Erythrocytes Leucocytes

They function in the transport of oxygen They help in the defense of

throughout the body and in the removal the body against disease-
of carbon dioxide from the body. causing pathogens.

(d) Tricuspid and bicuspid valves (location)

Ans: (d) Differences between tricuspid valve and bicuspid valve based
on their location:

Tricuspid valve Bicuspid valve

It is located between the right It is located between the left

atrium and right ventricle of the atrium and left ventricle of the
heart. heart.

4. Why do people have a common belief that the heart is located on

the left side of the chest?
Ans: Actually, the heart is not present on the left side of the heart. It
is present in the middle of the chest and is slightly tilted towards the
left. This tilt makes us feel that the heart is present on the left side of
the stomach.

5. Match the items in column A with those in column B. Rewrite the

correct matching pair.

Column A Column B

(a) SA node Plasma

(b) Defective hemoglobin in RBC Serum

(c) Muscle fibers located in the heart Pacemaker

(d) The liquid squeezed out of blood during the Sickle cell
clotting anemia

(e) Never tires, keep on contracting and

Purkinje fibers
relaxing

Cardiac
(f) Cardiac cycle
muscles

(g) Liquid part of the blood without corpuscles 0.85 sec

Ans: The answers to column A are written in front of column B.

Column A Column B

(a) SA node Pacemaker

Sickle cell
(b) Defective hemoglobin in RBC
anemia

(c) Muscle fibers located in the heart Purkinje fibers

(d) The liquid squeezed out of blood during the

Serum
clotting

(e) Never tires, keep on contracting and Cardiac

relaxing muscles

(f) Cardiac cycle 0.85 sec

(g) Liquid part of the blood without corpuscles Plasma

D. Descriptive type
1. Define the following terms:
(a) Circulatory system: It is composed of the heart, arteries, veins,
and blood capillaries. It is responsible for the transport of various
substances into the body.
(b) Blood: Blood is the circulating fluid that is present in the heart
and in the blood vessels such as arteries, veins, and capillaries of the
circulatory system.

(c) Heart: The heart is the muscular pumping organ that pushes the
blood around the body and has different chambers such as the right
atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle to prevent the
mixing of oxygenated blood and carbon dioxide-rich blood.

(d) Diapedesis: Diapedesis is the squeezing of leucocytes through the

wall of capillaries into the tissues.

(e) Phagocytosis: Phagocytosis is the process in which most WBCs and

particularly the neutrophils engulf particle-like solid substances,
especially bacteria.

(f) Rh factor: Rh factor is an inherited antigen often found on the

blood cells. Some individuals have these antigens and are thus Rh
positive (Rh+) while others who do not have this antigen are Rh
negative (Rh-)

2. Distinguish between the following pairs:

(a) Systole and Diastole
Ans: (a) Differences between systole and diastole:

Systole Diastole

1. The relaxation of cardiac

1. The contraction of cardiac
(heart) chambers is called
(heart) chambers is called systole.
diastole.

2. Blood is pumped out of the 2. Blood is received in the cardiac

cardiac chambers. chambers.

3. The valves are closed to 3. The valves are opened to allow

prevent backflow. entry of blood.
(b) Arteriole and Venule
Ans: (b) Differences between arteriole and venule:
Arteriole Venule

1. The smallest or final branch of 1. The smallest united branch of

an artery is called an arteriole. capillaries is called a venule.

2. They are highly muscular. 2. They are less muscular.

3. Arteriole breaks up into 3. They unite to form larger

capillaries. veins.

(c) Universal donor and Universal recipient

Ans: (c) Differences between the universal donor and universal
recipient:
Universal donor Universal recipient

1. It can donate blood to any 1. It can receive blood from any

ABO blood group. ABO blood group.

2. The universal donor is Type O. 2. The universal donor is Type AB.

3. It lacks antigen A and antigen 3. It contains both types of

B on its red blood cells. antigens on their red blood cells.

(d) Arteries and Veins

Ans: (d) Differences between arteries and veins:

Arteries Veins

1. An artery is a vessel that 1. A vein is a vessel that conveys

carries blood away from the the blood away from an organ
heart towards any organ. towards the heart.

2. Artery has thick muscular

2. Vein has thin muscular walls.
walls.

3. It has a narrow lumen. 3. It has a broad lumen.

 4. Thin pocket-shaped valves are
4. There are no valves.
present in the veins.

(e) Haemoglobin and Chlorophyll

Ans: (e) Differences between hemoglobin and chlorophyll:

Hemoglobin Chlorophyll

1. It is a respiratory pigment that 1. It is a light-capturing pigment

transports oxygen from the lungs that facilitates light absorption
across the body parts. during photosynthesis.

2. It is red in color. 2. It is green in color.

3. The central ion is iron. 3. The central ion is magnesium.

4. It is found in green plants and

4. It is found in human blood.
algae.

3. Give reasons/explain:
(a) The left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle.
Ans: (a) The left ventricle pumps blood to the farthest points in the
body such as the feet, the toes, and the brain against gravity while
the right ventricle pumps the blood only up to the lungs. Therefore,
the left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle.

(b) The walls of the right ventricle are thicker than those of the right
auricle.
Ans: (b) The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation
whereas the right auricle receives the blood from vena cavae and
passes it to the right ventricle. Therefore, the walls of the right
ventricle are thicker than those of the right auricle.
(c) Vitamin K is essential for the process of blood clotting.
Ans: (c) The mechanism of blood clotting involves the presence of
calcium and other clotting factors. Thrombokinase activates an
enzyme called prothrombin activator. The enzyme prothrombin
activator then converts plasma protein prothrombin into thrombin.
Thrombin is the enzyme that in turn converts fibrinogen into fibrin.
Polymerized fibrin together with platelets forms a clot at the wound
site. Prothrombin is a plasma protein synthesized in the liver.
Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of prothrombin. Hence,
Vitamin K is essential for the process of blood clotting.

4. Write important role/roles of the following:

Ans: (a) Tonsils: They are located on the sides of the neck. They are
lymph glands. They tend to localize the infection and prevent it from
spreading in the body as a whole.

Ans: (b) Spleen: The spleen is a large lymphatic organ. It is known as

the graveyard of the RBCs.

Ans: (c) Hepatic portal vein: The hepatic portal vein is a blood vessel
that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder,
pancreas, and spleen to the liver. This blood contains nutrients and
toxins extracted from digested contents.

Ans: (d) Basophils: They are a type of granular WBCs that release
chemicals called histamine for inflammation which dilate blood
vessels.

Ans: (e) S.A.N.: They are known as Sinoatrial nodes. It is a group of

cells located in the wall of the right atrium of the heart. The action
potential required for the rhythmic contractile activity of the heart is
generated at the SA node. When the impulse is initiated, it results in
the atrial systole.

5. What is meant by the term 'Double circulation'? Distinguish

between the two types of circulation in our body.
Ans: Double circulation is a process during which blood passes twice
through the heart during one complete cycle. The flow of blood in the
heart consists of two phases-

1. The short pulmonary (lung) circulation

2. The long systemic (general body) circulation

Differences between pulmonary and systemic circulation:

Pulmonary circulation Systemic circulation

1. It involves the circulation of 1. It involves the circulation of blood

blood between the heart and between the heart and the body
the lungs. organs (except lungs).

2. It carries deoxygenated
2. It carries oxygenated blood to the
blood to the lungs to receive
body organs.
oxygen.

3. It returns oxygenated blood 3. It returns deoxygenated blood

back to the heart. back to the heart.

6. What are the main steps in coagulation of blood in their correct

sequence?
Ans: Blood clotting or coagulation occurs in a series of the following
steps:
(a) The injured tissue cells and the platelets disintegrate at the site of
the wound to release thromboplastin.

(b) The thromboplastin with the help of calcium ions converts

inactive prothrombin into active thrombin.

(c) Thrombin in the presence of calcium ions converts soluble

fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin which forms a mesh or network at the
site of the wound.

(d) The blood cells trapped in this network shrink and squeeze out
the plasma to leave behind a solid mass known as the clot.

7. What are the functions of blood plasma?

Ans: The functions of blood plasma are:
(a) Transports of digested food from the alimentary canal to tissues.
(b) Transports excretory materials from tissues to excretory organs.
(c) Distributes hormones from the glands to their target site.
(d) Distributes heat in the body to maintain the body temperature.

8. State any five functions of the blood.

Ans: The functions of the blood are:
(a) Transport of digested food from the alimentary canal to tissues.
These substances are simple sugars like glucose, amino acids,
vitamins, mineral salts, etc.
(b) Transport of oxygen in the form of an unstable compound
'oxyhemoglobin' from the lungs to the tissues.

(c) Transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs.

(d) Transport of excretory materials from the tissues to the liver,

kidney, or the skin for elimination.

(e) Distribution of hormones from glands to the target sites.

(f) Distribution of heat to keep the body temperature uniform.

9. How do you account for the following differences?

(a) The left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle.
Ans: The left ventricle pumps blood to the farthest points in the body
such as the feet, the toes, and the brain against gravity while the
right ventricle pumps the blood only up to the lungs. Therefore, the
left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle.

(b) The walls of the right ventricle are thicker than those of the right
auricle.
Ans: The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation
whereas the right auricle receives the blood from the vena cavae and
passes it to the right ventricle. Therefore, the walls of the right
ventricle are thicker than those of the right auricle.
11. What is meant by the term 'double circulation of blood in
mammals? What is diastole?
Ans: Blood flows twice in the heart before it completes one full cycle.
This process of blood circulation in the human body is called double
circulation.

The expansion or relaxation phase of the atria is called diastole.

E. Structure/application/skill type
1. Given below is a diagram of a smear of human blood. Study the
same and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Name the parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 indicated by guidelines.
(b) Mention two structural differences between the parts labeled 1
and 2.
(c) What is the main function of the parts labeled 1, 2, and 3
respectively?
(d) What is the life span of the part labeled "1"?
(e) Name a soluble protein found in "4" which helps in clotting of
blood.

Ans:
(a) 1 → Red Blood Cell (RBC),
2 → White Blood Cell (WBC),
3 → Blood Platelet
4 → Blood Plasma.
(b) The red blood cells are minute biconcave disc-like structures
whereas the white blood cells are amoeboid.

(c) Function of part 1 (RBC): Transport of respiratory gases to the

tissues and from the tissues, transport of nutrients from the
alimentary canal to the tissues.

The function of part 2 (WBC): WBCs play a major role in the defense
mechanism and immunity of the body.

The function of part 3 (Blood Platelet): Blood platelets are the

initiator of blood clotting.
(d) The average life span of a red blood cell (RBC) is about 120 days.
(e) Thromboplastin

2. Given below is a highly schematic diagram of the human blood

circulatory system.
(a) Which part (state the number) represents the heart? Give reason
in support of your answer.
(b) Which numbers represent the following respectively?
Aorta
Hepatic portal vein
Pulmonary artery
Superior vena cava
Renal vein
Stomach
Ans:
(a) structure 3 represents the heart. It forms the center of double
circulation and is located between the liver and the head (as per the
diagram). Also, the blood circulation (indicated by 1) begins from the
heart to the lungs.

(b) The numbers that represent the following are:

Aorta 5

Hepatic portal
7
vein

Pulmonary
1
artery

Superior vena
9
cava

Renal vein 8
 1
Stomach
0

3. The figures are given below show diagrammatic cross-sections of

three kinds of blood vessels.

(a) Identify the blood vessels A, B, and C.

(b) Name the parts labeled 1-4.
(c) Mention two structural differences between A and B.
(d) Name the kinds of blood that flow through A and through B
respectively.
(e) In which one of the above vessels referred to in (a) above does the
exchanges of gases actually take place?
Ans:
(a) A- Artery, B-Vein, C-Capillary

(b) 1 - External layer made of connective tissue

2 - Lumen
3 - Middle layer of smooth muscles and elastic fibers
4 - Endothelium

(c) An artery has thick muscular walls and a narrow lumen. It does
not have any valve. A vein on the other hand has thin muscular walls
and a wider lumen. It has valves to prevent the backflow of blood.
(d) A (Artery)- Oxygenated blood, B (Vein)- Deoxygenated blood

(e) At the capillary level, the actual exchange of gases takes place.

4. The diagram given below represents the human heart in one phase
of its activity. Study the same and then answer the questions that
follow:
(a) Name the phase
(b) Which part of the heart is contracting in this phase? Give a reason
to support your answer.
(c) Name the parts numbered 1 to 6.
(d) What type of blood flows through the parts marked '1' and '2'?
(e) How many valves are closed in this phase?

Ans:
(a) Atrial Diastole and Ventricular Systole

(b) Ventricular muscles are contracting during this phase because the
valves between the two ventricles and pulmonary artery and aorta
are open while the atrioventricular valves are closed.
(c)

Pulmonary
1
Artery

2 Aorta

Pulmonary
3
Vein

4 Left Atrium

5 Bicuspid Valve

6 Right Ventricle

(d) Part 1 (Pulmonary artery) → Deoxygenated blood

Part 2 (Aorta) → Oxygenated Blood

(e) Two i.e., bicuspid and tricuspid valves are closed in this phase.

5. Study the following diagram carefully and then answer the

questions that follow:

a. Name the cell labelled 1.

b. Identify the phenomenon occurring in A.
c. Mention two structural differences between 1 and 2.
d. Name the process occurring in B and C and state the importance of
this process in the human body.
Ans:
a. 1 - Red blood cell

b. Diapedesis

c.

RBC WBC

They lack a nucleus. They have a nucleus.

They are biconcave and disc- They are spherical and have
shaped. different sizes.

d. The process which occurs in B and C is phagocytosis. In this

process, the WBCs engulf the foreign particles and destroy them,
thus preventing the occurrence of disease.

6. Given below is a diagrammatic representation of certain types of

blood vessels in the human body.

a. Identify the types of blood vessels numbered 1 to 5.

b. Where can such an arrangement be found as an example - in lungs
or in heart walls?
Ans:
a.
1 - Arteriole
2 - Artery
3 - Venule
4 - Capillaries
5 - Vein

b. Such an arrangement can be observed in the lungs.

7. The diagram below shows part of the capillary bed in an organ of

the human body. Some of the blood arriving at the capillaries at
points labeled A, moves out into the spaces between the tissue cells.
Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:

(a) When the liquid from the blood surrounds the cells, what is it
called?
(b) Name any one important component of the blood which remains
inside the capillaries and fails to move out into the spaces.
(c) Some of the liquid surrounding the cells does not pass directly
back into the blood but eventually reaches it by another route
through vessel X. name the fluid present in vessel X.
(d) State two important functions performed in our body by the fluid
present in vessel X.
Ans:
(a) Tissue Fluid
(b) Red blood cells

(c) Lymph

(d) The lymph supplies nutrition and oxygen to those parts where
blood cannot reach. The lymph drains away excess tissue fluids and
metabolites and returns proteins to the blood from tissue spaces.