Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 11
Transport systems in humans – Week 7 focus
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Transport systems in humans – Week 7 focus
Download the Lessonotes Mobile South Africa app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Life Sciences
Class: Grade 11
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 7
Theme: General lesson support
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This week, we delve into the intricate transport systems within the human body. Understanding these systems is crucial because they ensure the delivery of vital substances like oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to every cell, while also removing waste products. In South Africa, various health issues, such as hypertension, heart disease, and complications from diabetes, are directly linked to the efficiency of our transport systems. Factors like diet, lifestyle choices, and access to healthcare significantly impact the functionality of these systems. Learning about these processes empowers you to make informed decisions about your health and well-being, and contribute to healthier communities.
2.1 The Circulatory System: A Highway Within The circulatory system is the body's transport network, responsible for delivering oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells throughout the body and removing waste products like carbon dioxide and metabolic byproducts. It comprises the heart, blood vessels, and blood. 2.1.1 The Heart: The Pumping Engine The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
It has four chambers: two atria (right and left) that receive blood, and two ventricles (right and left) that pump blood out. The heart's chambers contract and relax rhythmically, creating the heartbeat. Valves within the heart (tricuspid, mitral/bicuspid, pulmonary, and aortic) ensure unidirectional blood flow, preventing backflow.