ECOSYSTEM vs. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Note: What is a system?: A system is made up of smaller parts that work together to complete a function, or task. Without any of these parts, the system may not be able to function properly or at all.
The ecosystem and circulatory system interact in many ways. One way that they interact is through the cycle of exchanging carbon dioxide, water, energy, glucose, and oxygen. Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy = Glucose + Oxygen
The glucose produced by a producer may be eaten by a human when a human eats a plant. That glucose which is digested through the digestive system diffuses into the blood stream from the small intestine and is pumped by the circulatory system throughout the body. Oxygen is also produced in photosynthesis. Oxygen is inhaled by humans and is pumped through the circulatory system to the rest of the body. Once in the blood stream, the glucose and oxygen diffuse into cells in the body. Here in these cells they undergo cell respiration. Cell respiration is as followed.
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water +Energy
The energy produced is used throughout the body, including for the sending of electrical impulses to the heart so that the heart can pump and circulate the blood. The carbon dioxide produced from cell respiration is exhaled back into the ecosystem where it can start the process over again. The water is also released into the ecosystem to do the same thing. Its actually interesting to know that the air we inhale from the ecosystem is 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% other gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, xenon, helium, krypton, and others, however, the air we exhale is 79% nitrogen, 16% oxygen, and 4% other gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, xenon, helium, krypton, and others. The picture below depicts oxygen entering the body and carbon dioxide leaving the body in an alveolus in the lung. Click the image to see the process.
The ecosystem and circulatory system also interact in the way that all consumers in the ecosystem have a circulatory system. The process described above explains why consumers need to have a circulatory system. However, consumers don't only need to have a circulatory system to keep the cycle described above going, but also so that they can undergo cell respiration which results in energy that the consumers can use to survive. With energy, consumers can escape predators and prey on prey which is a key concept in ecosystems.
Another way that the ecosystem and circulatory system interact is that the actual cells that make up the circulatory system need to undergo cell respiration in order to stay alive and in order to keep the circulatory system running smoothly. As you know, the ecosystem provides the necessary ingredients for this to occur, (glucose and oxygen.)
There are also times when although we may not want the ecosystem and circulatory system to interact, they do! For example, if a branch in the ecosystem cuts you in the arm (the branch would be a producer) you may see blood from your capillaries begin to gather around the incision. The parts of the blood, the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are all on the scene. The clot that starts to form is formed by platelets, and white blood cells which fight disease work to keep an infection from entering the body through the incision. Below, in order, are microscope zoomed in views of, in order from left to right, red blood cells, a white blood cell, and platelets.
The ecosystem and circulatory system also interact in the way that blood, which is what the circulatory system pumps throughout the body, is 55% plasma, a yellowish fluid that contains mostly water. This water comes from the ecosystem and has a various amount of functions.
Note: What is a system?: A system is made up of smaller parts that work together to complete a function, or task. Without any of these parts, the system may not be able to function properly or at all.
The ecosystem and circulatory system interact in many ways. One way that they interact is through the cycle of exchanging carbon dioxide, water, energy, glucose, and oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide
The glucose produced by a producer may be eaten by a human when a human eats a plant. That glucose which is digested through the digestive system diffuses into the blood stream from the small intestine and is pumped by the circulatory system throughout the body. Oxygen is also produced in photosynthesis. Oxygen is inhaled by humans and is pumped through the circulatory system to the rest of the body. Once in the blood stream, the glucose and oxygen diffuse into cells in the body. Here in these cells they undergo cell respiration. Cell respiration is as followed.
Glucose
The energy produced is used throughout the body, including for the sending of electrical impulses to the heart so that the heart can pump and circulate the blood. The carbon dioxide produced from cell respiration is exhaled back into the ecosystem where it can start the process over again. The water is also released into the ecosystem to do the same thing. Its actually interesting to know that the air we inhale from the ecosystem is 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% other gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, xenon, helium, krypton, and others, however, the air we exhale is 79% nitrogen, 16% oxygen, and 4% other gases, such as carbon dioxide, argon, xenon, helium, krypton, and others. The picture below depicts oxygen entering the body and carbon dioxide leaving the body in an alveolus in the lung. Click the image to see the process.
The ecosystem and circulatory system also interact in the way that all consumers in the ecosystem have a circulatory system. The process described above explains why consumers need to have a circulatory system. However, consumers don't only need to have a circulatory system to keep the cycle described above going, but also so that they can undergo cell respiration which results in energy that the consumers can use to survive. With energy, consumers can escape predators and prey on prey which is a key concept in ecosystems.
Another way that the ecosystem and circulatory system interact is that the actual cells that make up the circulatory system need to undergo cell respiration in order to stay alive and in order to keep the circulatory system running smoothly. As you know, the ecosystem provides the necessary ingredients for this to occur, (glucose and oxygen.)
There are also times when although we may not want the ecosystem and circulatory system to interact, they do! For example, if a branch in the ecosystem cuts you in the arm (the branch would be a producer) you may see blood from your capillaries begin to gather around the incision. The parts of the blood, the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are all on the scene. The clot that starts to form is formed by platelets, and white blood cells which fight disease work to keep an infection from entering the body through the incision. Below, in order, are microscope zoomed in views of, in order from left to right, red blood cells, a white blood cell, and platelets.
The ecosystem and circulatory system also interact in the way that blood, which is what the circulatory system pumps throughout the body, is 55% plasma, a yellowish fluid that contains mostly water. This water comes from the ecosystem and has a various amount of functions.