What Exactly Does The Heart Do In The Mammalian Body?

The heart is a pump and it pushes blood around the body. Blood goes round in two main circuits. One circuit is between the heart and the lungs. The other larger circuit takes blood from the heart to all parts of the body and back again.

The blood that goes to the lungs picks up the oxygen that the body needs to burn food for energy. Blood rich in oxygen goes back to the heart and is then pumped out to the body, taking oxygen to every body part. On its way back, the blood collects carbon dioxide. This is taken back to the lungs to be breathed out. Blood also collects other wastes. Some of these are taken to the liver to be broken down. Others are taken to the kidneys to be disposed of in urine.

We and other mammals can only survive for a short time if the heart stops; a few minutes at most.

Add Comment

Report