How does the Circulatory System and the Respiratory System interact?
The respiratory system takes in oxygen and sends it into the lungs. In the lungs, there are tiny air sacs or aveoli and they are against tiny capillaries. The blood in the capillaries in the lungs exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen. The blood that was previously drained of its oxygen is now rich in oxygen and now can be sent to the heart to circulate the body again. This important exchange is called gas exchange.
This picture shows the Respiratory System. The heart is located just under the left lung.
The respiratory system takes in oxygen and sends it into the lungs. In the lungs, there are tiny air sacs or aveoli and they are against tiny capillaries. The blood in the capillaries in the lungs exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen. The blood that was previously drained of its oxygen is now rich in oxygen and now can be sent to the heart to circulate the body again. This important exchange is called gas exchange.