What Keeps you Going?

A Learning Module in The Circulatory System

Mae O. Cudal
MSciEd-Biology II

What Keeps you Going?

A Learning Module in the Circulatory System

Hello kiddos! I’m Hearty, your very

heartwarming learning buddy. I’ll be with you
in this learning journey in which you can learn
more of The Circulatory System. Before going
on, let’s know first what’s in store for you!
Come on buddy!

http://www.hittoon.com/450/40046-clipart-illustration-of-a-
healthy-red-heart-running-past.jpg
 Imagine how amazing your body works!
Have you ever told yourself what keeps you going? Your body is an incredible
machine for working so hard just to keep you living healthy and effectively! One of the
great systems you have in your body is the Circulatory System.
Circulatory System has played a vital role in each one of us. Why? Without this superb
system, you’ll not be able to perform a lot of activities such as breathing, walking, running
and many more. I know you have undergone some of the basic concepts in learning this
system. Circulatory System has the responsibility of transporting blood and nutrients to
your body. But aside from that, have you known already what composes your Circulatory
System? What other functions does it perform?
Let’s all together find out! Alright?

What are you expected to learn?

At the end of this chapter, you are expected to:
 Know the function of the Circulatory System
 Identify the parts of the heart and its functions
 Determine the components of blood and its importance
 Cite few examples of the diseases of Circulatory System
 Practice the proper caring for our Circulatory System

PRE-ASSESSMENT

Let’s test what you already

know!
Direction: Read each question and its options carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. What is the main job of the Circulatory System?

A. To break down food so it can be used by the body
B. To distribute blood and lymph throughout the body
C. To give the body shape and support
D. To send impulses throughout the body
2. What organ is responsible in pumping oxygenated blood to the body and deoxygenated
blood to the lungs?
A. Brain C. Heart
B. Liver D. Stomach
 3. What part of the heart takes charge in carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle
to the lungs?
A. Pulmonary Vein C. Pulmonary Artery
B. Left Ventricle D. Right Ventricle
4. What do you call a network of small tubes that carries blood through the body?
A. Arteries C. Capillaries
B. Veins D. Blood Vessels
5. This is considered as the largest group of cells in the blood. They contain hemoglobin but they
have no nuclei.
A. Red Blood Cells C. Platelets
B. White Blood Cells D. None of the above
6. Why is White Blood Cells (WBC) group important?
A. They carry oxygen to the cells of the body.
B. They defend the body against invading harmful microorganisms.
C. They play an important role in blood clotting.
D. None of the above.
7. What disease in the Circulatory System is characterized with the long-term force of the
blood against your artery walls being high enough?
A. Anemia C. Leukemia
B. Hypertension D. Heart Attack
8. What disease in the Circulatory System occurs when the concentration of red blood cells or
hemoglobin in the body falls from the normal level?
A. Anemia C. Leukemia
B. Hypertension D. Heart Attack
9. Foods rich in __________ helps prevent Anemia.
A. Potassium C. Iron
B. Fluorine D. Tin
10. All of which are ways of taking care our Circulatory System, except for one. Which does not
belong?
A. Eating low-fat, low-calorie foods.
B. Exercise regularly.
C. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
D. Drink too much alcohol.

Talking about how amazing our Circulatory

System is? Let me give you an overview! After
this, you can now proceed to our first activity.

http://www.hittoon.com/450/40046-clipart-illustration-of-a-
healthy-red-heart-running-past.jpg
 What you need to know
first?
Your Circulatory System is
an organ system that
permits blood to circulate and
transport nutrients from the cells in
the body to provide nourishment
and help in fighting diseases.

Your Circulatory System is

three systems working together
effectively in one! Like a coffee, 3-in-
1! It’s because it’s composed of
Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and
Systemic.

Your CARDIOVASCULAR
System is consists of your HEART. Your
heart is a muscle which is about a
size of your fist. Looks like you’ve got
Let’s do it! a tough organ, huh?

While, your PULMONARY

System which includes your LUNGS in
responsible in transporting blood to
your lungs and back.

http://www.newhealthguide.org/images/1999989 Lastly, is your SYSTEMIC System

6/circulatory-system-diseases.jpg includes all of your arteries and veins.
Its job is to send blood to all the other
parts of your body and back.

Let’s do this!
ACTIVITY 1

Pump It!
 https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/understanding-our-circulatory-system.pdf

 Fill the empty plastic bottle with water.

What to do?  Fill a small empty cup water from the
bottle. Determine how long it takes you to
fill the cup.
 Then, return the water to the bottle.
https://previews.123rf.com/images/pixdesign123/pixdesi
 Fill the cup again with water but this time,
gn1231407/pixdesign123140700852/29931409-Cartoon-
Character-of-heart-with-question-mark-Stock-Photo.jpg do it faster.
 Note what action have you done in order
to accomplish this.
Let’s try to answer!
Answer the following questions:

1. What action have you done in order to let the water be out of the bottle?
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. At at a normal pace, how long did it take you to fill the cup?

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. What did you do in order to fill the cup faster?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Let’s learn these!

So, that’s likely what

my heart is doing!
 Based on the activity you have done, you made use of a
plastic bottle as a container for water. In order for the water
to pass from the plastic bottle to the empty cup, you had to
squeeze the bottle. In order to fill the cup faster, you had to
squeeze the bottle even harder.
The action that you did is similar to the action of the
heart, which pumps nonstop blood throughout the body.
Indeed, the heart is the most hardworking organ of the body.

https://transparent.clipartof.com/Clipart-Cartoon-
Man-With-His-Heart-Beating-Out-Of-His-Chest-
Royalty-Free-Vector-Illustration-10241095425.jpg

Lesson 1
THE HEART
some HEART-warming FACTS…

 The heart beats 70 times a minute, with each beat, the heart pumps 60 to 90
mililiters (2 to 3 ounces) of blood out of the heart. It can move 5 to 7 liters of blood
in one minute and 7600 liters (2000 gallons) per day. In a lifetime, it beats over
2.5 billion times and pumps over 200 million liters of blood! It’s oh so bloody
amazing! (http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2001/VitaliyShchupak.shtml)

 During exercise, your muscles' energy needs increase enormously. Although they
can derive some energy without oxygen from anaerobic metabolism, most of the
energy they use -- especially during extended bouts of exercise -- comes from
aerobic metabolism, which requires oxygen. Since oxygen is transported through
the bloodstream, your heart has to pump more blood to maintain the supply of
oxygen to your working muscles. To accomplish that, your heart beats more
forcefully and quickly. (http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/exercise-make-heart-
rate-up-7931.html)

Now that you know some heartwarming facts, let us

proceed on learning the parts of the heart. Are you
excited? Answer first the self-assessment activity.
Let’s try to answer!

SEF-ASSESSMENT
 OPEN UP YOUR HEART TO ME
Direction: Below is an unlabeled diagram of the parts of the heart. Match the following
words found in the word bank to the numbers corresponding to the parts.

https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/736x/7a/62/aa/7a62aaeb8f93ae87b02d21ca82726093.jpg

So, what are the parts of the heart? Here are they!
Study these, okay?

Major Parts of the Heart

 https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/35/de/5435de63364782c446e0ec6d3976b534.jpg

Looks like you’ve already learned a lot from the first

lesson. But wait, there’s more!

Have you heard how your heart beats? How does it

sound like? Do you know that your heart beats differently when
doing different activities? Now, let’s have this activity.

ACTIVITY 2
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/16/34/18/1634180b8b6fa02988b8176c11c47e4c.jpg

YOU MAKE MY HEART BEAT

STETHOSCOPE

noun [ C ]
US /ˈsteθ·əˌskoʊp/

a medical device that allows a

doctor to listen to your heart, lun
 http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/stethoscope

http://cdn.xl.thumbs.canstockphoto.com/canstock13146800.jpg

What caused your heart beat is the opening

and closing of the valves which definitely enables to
produce a sound lubdub. You can ask for an
assistance to use a stethoscope whenever you get a
chance to pay a visit in a clinic near you. But, you can
have your heartbeat be heard! Here’s a simple
activity for you, buddy.

https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/unde
Let’s Try This! rstanding-our-circulatory-system.pdf

1. The rate at which the heart beats can be determined by taking the pulse. To take your pulse,
place the middle and index fingers of one hand on the wrist of the other hand. Move your
fingers slightly until you feel a throbbing point. See the picture below.

https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.co
m/2011/01/understanding-our-
circulatory-system.pdf

2. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by 4. The value you will get is the
number of times your heart beats per minute. For example, if you counted 17 beats in 15 seconds
and multiplied this by 4, this means that your heart beats 68 beats per minute.

3. Sit quietly on a chair. Take your pulse.

4. Walk briskly around the room for around one minute. Then immediately take your pulse. What
did you notice? Is it faster or slower than the one you took previously?

Why do you think your heart beat rate changed?

 ____________________________________

Let’s LearnThese!
How does blood travel throughout the body? There is a network of small tubes that
carries blood through the body. These tubes are called blood vessels. Do you know that
if you were to take out all your blood vessels and line them up end to end, they would
be able to go around the earth twice?

There are three types of blood vessels in the body: the arteries, veins and capillaries.
Arteries are what we call efferent vessels because they carry blood away from the heart.
Every time your heart beats, blood is pumped into your arteries. The walls of the arteries
stretch as the blood comes in. As it passes by, the walls relax. The stretching and
relaxation of the artery wall is the pulse. You feel your pulse at your temples, neck and
wrists.

http://images.slideplayer.com/39/10990021/slides/slide_8.jpg

SEF-ASSESSMENT

TRUE or FALSE
Direction: Write T if the statement is true or correct and write False if the statement is incorrect
on the space being provided with each number.
______ 1. The circulatory system is responsible in transporting blood and nutrients in the body.
______ 2. The heart is the most important organ in the body.
______ 3. The heart stops beating every now and then.
______ 4. The heart is as big as a fist of a person.
______ 5. The heart pumps about 5-7 liters of blood every minute.
______ 6. The heart is made up of two pumps that work together.
______ 7. Arteries bring blood to the heart.
______ 8. Capillaries are blood vessels.
______ 9. The pulse is the stretching and relaxing of the artery wall.
______10. The heart has one chamber only.

So how was it? Have you learned so much in this lesson? Now for our next topic, we’ll be going
on a short trip. Looks like we should go to another place. We’re going to the market! Are you coming
with me?

ACTIVITY 3

OH MY BLOOD!
https://vectortoons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/heart-
smiley-collection-014.jpg
Do you know what fresh blood looks and smells like? Well, you https://previews.123rf.com/images/prettyvectors
/prettyvectors1604/prettyvectors160400205/555
can visit the meat section of a market. You can politely ask the seller 43071-Fresh-meat-Butcher-shop-Shop-with-meat-

to let them show you some blood from a newly slaughtered animal.
Showcases-with-meat-Best-meat-Red-meat-shop-
Street-market-wit-Stock-Vector.jpg

Study the appearance of the blood. Smell and touch it as well. Note
the following details. Later, you’ll be answering the following
questions.

http://png.clipart.me/previews/cf7/vector-fresh-meat-6600.jpg

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/FKG39X/eleven-newly-cut-shin-parts-from-slaughtered-calves-hanging-from-sharp-FKG39X.jpg

Let’s Try to Answer!

1. What was the color of the blood?

_________________________________________________________
2. How did it smell? Where do you think this odor came from?
__________________________________________________________

3. Does blood flow as easily as water does?

__________________________________________________________

Lesson 2
THE BlOOD
http://www.moh.gov.bn/ArticleImage/give-blood-
save-life-vector-medical-concept-flat-56180542.jpg http://comps.gograph.com/blood-or-red-paint-glossy-drop-blobs-
isolated_gg60182480.jpg

Is there any instance in your life where you accidentally cut yourself accidentally or
tripped over something which caused you a little bleeding? What came out of the wound?
The fluid that came out of your wound is blood.

Blood is the fluid of life.

Here are the questions which will guide you in this lesson!

 Why is blood important?

 How is blood characterized?
 What composes the blood?
 Does blood flow easily as water?
https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/04/03/11/08/pencil-311818_960_720.png

Blood is the red fluid circulated throughout the body by the circulatory system. In
human beings, blood is considered a connective tissue because it is produced by the
bone marrow inside bones, which are connective tissues. However, compared to other
connective tissues, like ligaments and cartilages, blood is liquid. This enables blood to
have special properties that other connective tissues do not have.
So, what are its special components or properties? Here are some photos to show:
 PLASMA
-is the clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that
remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and
other cellular components are removed. It is the single
largest component of human blood, comprising about 55
percent, and contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies and
other proteins

http://cdn.iopscience.com/images/13672630/11/
11/115016/Full/nj323377fig5.jpg

Lesson 3
http://antranik.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Picture1.jpg

THE BlOOD FLOW

Have you ever wondered how does

blood flow all throughout your body? In
order for you to understand, let me read
you a story of a red blood cell named
Hardy in his journey through the body.
http://content.mycutegraphics.com/graphics/reading/ (adopted from
two-kids-reading-together-clipart-partner-reading- https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/understanding-our-
clip-art.png circulatory-system.pdf)

Hardy was born inside the bone

marrow, along with trillions of other red
blood cells. Hardy starts working
immediately. He feels himself being
dragged toward the heart as he floats in
the plasma.

Hardy reaches the heart. He

does not yet have oxygen to bring to
the cells of the body. He first enters
the right atrium, which passes him
through a valve into the right
ventricle. The right ventricle then
pumps him and his brothers through
the pulmonary artery towards the
lungs.

Hardy then passes through the capillaries

of one of the lungs. These capillaries are close
to the air sacs, which are called alveoli. Inside
the lung, Hardy passes through the alveoli
where gas exchange takes place. Remember
that red blood cells, like Hardy, contain
hemoglobin that picks up oxygen as it passes
through the alveoli. The cells also discard
carbon dioxide, which passes through the
alveoli into the lungs to be excreted out of the
body.
 Now that he already carries oxygen,
Hardy has turned bright red. He now travels
back toward the heart, this time, passing
through the pulmonary vein to the left side of
the heart. The left atrium receives Hardy, then
he passes through a valve into the left
ventricle. This is the most powerful chamber of
the heart.

The left ventricle contracts,

giving Hardy a powerful push into
the aorta, the largest artery in the
body. He is then dragged into the
smaller arteries. Hardy now carries a
heavy pack of oxygen and food.

Hardy passes through smaller and

smaller arteries until he reaches the
capillaries. In the capillaries, he has to
fall in line because only one red blood
cell at a time can pass through the very
small passage.

He waits for his turn and when his

turn comes, Hardy is very happy to
deliver the oxygen to the cell that lies
near the capillaries. In exchange for
 Once more, Hardy finds himself
traveling through the veins toward the
heart. The whole cycle is repeated again
and again.

Hardy will live for only 120 days,

but he is very happy. He knows that he
is doing a very important job in bringing
life to the body. He also meets friends
along the way — the white blood cells
and platelets.

You have just discovered through Hardy’s adventures how the parts of your circulatory
system work together to keep all the cells of your body alive. How do you feel now about your
circulatory system? Remember that it is a very hardworking system that keeps you alive. All day
long, Hardy and other cells like him work tirelessly to keep life going.

SEF-ASSESSMENT
GO WITH THE FLOW
Direction: Below are the steps involved in the pumping action of the heart, but they are not
in correct sequence. Put them in order, numbering them from 1 to 8.
______ Oxygen-rich blood enters the left atrium from the lungs.
______ Blood from the right ventricle goes to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
______ At the same time, oxygen-poor blood enters the right atrium.
______ Blood is squeezed into the ventricles.
______ The ventricles contract.
______ The heart muscle relaxes.
______ Blood from the left ventricle goes to the body to supply it with oxygen.
______ The heart muscle contracts.

So, how was learning the previous three lessons buddies?

I hope you have enjoyed on our activities created for you
to appreciate learning on the Circulatory System.

Now that we have learned about the importance, parts,

how blood flows and many more, let us go on through a
lesson by which we’ll be able to realize that despite being
hardworking, Circulatory System at some points. Let’s cite
the diseases in the Circulatory System. Let me read you
first a story.

Let’s Read it!

MELY GOES TO THE DOCTOR

(adopted from https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/understanding-our-
circulatory-system.pdf)

Mely paid her doctor a visit. “I haven’t been feeling well lately,” she said to Doctor Reyes. “I
feel tired most of the time.” “You must be working too hard,” Doctor Reyes said as she prepared
to take Mely’s blood pressure. Doctor Reyes brought out a sphygmomanometer, an instrument for
measuring blood pressure. A sphygmomanometer looks like this: Doctor Reyes wrapped the blood
pressure cuff around Mely’s left upper arm. She then inflated the cuff.
 Let’s

Let’s Try to Answer!

How important it is to know your blood pressure? If we say a person has “high blood,” what
does it imply? Is it good or bad?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Let’s Answer It!

Blood pressure is a measure of the force that your heart uses to pump blood
around your body. (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/what-is-blood-pressure.aspx)
Every blood pressure reading is consist of two numbers or levels. They are shown
as one number on top of the other. The first (or top) number is your systolic blood
pressure. It is the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats. The
second (or bottom) number is your diastolic blood pressure. It is the lowest level your
blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between the beats.
For example, if your blood pressure is 120/80, that means your systolic pressure is
120 and your diastolic pressure is 80. If your blood pressure is lower than 140/90, it is
 Lesson 4
DISEASES OF THE
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

https://optimalwellnesslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/OWL-0056-010615-
what-you-really-need-to-know-about-HBP.jpg

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE is a common disease

in which blood flows through blood vessels (arteries)
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart- at higher than normal pressures.
public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/image/~extract/UCM_489361~1
~staticrendition/large.png

HEART ATTACK happens when the flow of

oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle
suddenly becomes blocked and the heart can’t
get oxygen. If blood flow isn’t restored quickly, the
section of heart muscle begins to die.
(https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- http://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/02/05-heart-attack-
signs-what-to-do.jpg

topics/topics/heartattack)
 https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-
public/thumbnails/image/2016/10/10/23/heart-attack.jpg

ANEMIA is a condition that develops when your

blood lacks enough healthy red blood
cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a main part of
red blood cells and binds oxygen. If you have too few
or abnormal red blood cells, or your hemoglobin is
abnormal or low, the cells in your body will not get
enough oxygen.

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/art/large/anemia-
signs.jpeg

LEUKEMIA is cancer of the blood or

bone marrow (which produces blood
cells). A person who has leukemia suffers
from an abnormal production of blood
cells, generally leukocytes (white blood
cells).
(http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/a
rticles/142595.php)

http://cdn2.momjunction.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/04/leukemia-in-teens.jpg

Lesson 5
TAKING CARE OF THE
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

http://clipart-library.com/images/8TGaG5dTa.jpg
 In the previous lesson, you learned about some of the diseases that can affect
the circulatory system. Our Circulatory System is a very amazing system yet might be
vulnerable.
In this lesson, you will learn how to take proper care of your circulatory system.
Study this topic well so you can keep your heart, blood vessels and blood healthy and
functioning well.

Let’s do it!
SELF-ASSESSMENT

DO YOU or DON’T YOU?

Direction: Here is a questionnaire with corresponding questions. Answer honestly the
following by checking YES if you do it and NO if you don’t.

YES NO
1. Do you have a normal body weight?
2. Do you eat vegetables and fruits and other low-fat containing foods?
3. Do you exercise regularly?
4. Do you avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages?
5. Do you pay visit your doctor for a check-up?

So, how was it? Have you checked all

the questions with a YES or is it with a NO or
maybe a combination of both? If you got it all
with a YES, you’re definitely doing a good job
in taking care of your circulatory System. If you
answered it with a NO, well, you have to
change your lifestyle so you can achieve a
healthy Circulatory System.

What are the activities that you should

do regularly in taking care of your Circulatory
System?
 Eating vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains
and rice helps prevent high blood pressure
and other diseases of the circulatory system.
Too much salt intake is avoided as to it
increases the risk of heart disease. Eating
foods rich in iron such as red meat, beans and
nuts helps prevent iron deficiency anemia.

http://felineclipart.com/images/8TEb4EETa.jpg

Exercise regularly. Exercise

makes your heart stronger. Running,
dancing and other forms of exercises
are good for the heart if its’ done
properly.

http://clipartix.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Exercise-jumpy-physio-
physical-activity-healthy-lifestyle-fitness-clip-art.jpg

Avoid smoking and drinking too

much alcohol because increases the
risk of having high blood pressure.

http://www.babycarediary.com/wp-
content/uploads/2013/03/quit-smoking-and-drinking-copy.jpg
 Have a regular check-up with
your doctor.

https://previews.123rf.com/images/justmeyo/justmeyo1011/justmeyo101100210/8203292-Doctor-woman-checkup-
patient-in-hospital-bed-while-other-doctor-writing-in-clipboard-Stock-Photo.jpg

Maintain proper hygiene.

http://cdn2.momjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/How-Personal-Hygiene-For-Kids-Can-Keep-Them-Healthy.jpg

So, how was our learning journey

buddies? I hope you have learned
so much with every lesson we
shared. In order for you to not
forget these, here are some
important points to ponder!

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/funny-red-valentine-heart-
cartoon-thinking-28325182.jpg
 http://images.clipartpanda.com/idea-light-bulb-
clip-art-black-and-white-MTLEnkBTa.jpeg

 The main function of the circulatory system is to transport blood to all parts of
the body. It is made up of the heart and blood vessels.
 The heart is the most important part of the circulatory system. It is a muscular
organ located between the lungs which is responsible in pumping blood
throughout the body.
 Blood vessels are tubes, through which blood passes to and from the heart. There
are three kinds of blood vessels: arteries, veins and capillaries.
 Blood is a kind of connective tissue that serves to bring food and oxygen to the
cells of the body. It also collects waste products from the cells. It is made up of
plasma, the liquid part, and cellular components/formed elements—red blood
cells, white blood cells and platelets.
 The circulatory system is an amazing but can be vulnerable to diseases. Among
these diseases are hypertension, heart attack, and leukemia.
 You can take care of your circulatory system by eating foods which are low-fat,
low-calorie, low-salt, high-iron; avoiding smoking and drinking too much
alcohol; exercising regularly; having your blood pressure checked regularly;
maintaining proper hygiene; and maintaining your normal weight.

REFERENCES

(http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/BloodPressureandyou/Thebasics/Bloodpressure)
https://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/understanding-our-circulatory-system.pdf
http://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/10123642/The-Circulatory-System-
http://www.storyjumper.com/book/index/10201472/My-Amazing-Circulatory-System