Posted on 3rd Sep 2021 01:34:42 in

Question 11) Describe double circulation in human beings. Why is it necessary?

Ans: - Because both oxygen and carbon dioxide have to be transported by the blood, the heart has different chambers to prevent the oxygen-rich blood from mixing with the blood containing carbon dioxide. The human heart is divided into four chambers − the right atrium, the right ventricle, the left atrium and the left ventricle. Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs comes to the thin-walled upper chamber of the heart on the left, the left atrium. The left atrium relaxes when it is collecting this blood. It then contracts, while the next chamber, the left ventricle, expands, so that the blood is transferred to it. When the muscular left ventricle contracts in its turn, the blood is pumped out to the body.

De-oxygenated blood comes from the body to the upper chamber on the right, the right atrium, as it expands. As the right atrium contracts, the corresponding lower chamber, the right ventricle, dilates. This transfers blood to the right ventricle,
which in turn pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation. During this process blood goes twice through the heart. That’s why it is known
as double circulation.

Double Circulation is necessary:

The separation of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood allows a more efficient supply of oxygen to the body cells. This efficient system of oxygen supply is very useful in warm-blooded animals such as human beings. As we know, warm-
blooded animals have to maintain a constant body temperature by cooling themselves when they are in a hotter environment and by warming their bodies when they are in a cooler environment. Hence, they require more O2 for more respiration so that they can produce more energy to maintain their body temperature.

Thus, the circulatory system of humans is more efficient because of the double circulatory heart.