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Explain why the pulmonary circuit must operate at a lower pressure than the systemic system

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Final answer:

The pulmonary circuit operates at a lower pressure than the systemic system to facilitate efficient gas exchange in the lungs, while the systemic circuit operates at higher pressure to distribute oxygenated blood to all body tissues.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pulmonary circuit must operate at a lower pressure than the systemic system because it is responsible for the exchange of gases in the lungs. When blood returns to the heart from the systemic circuit, it is relatively low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide. The blood needs to be sent to the lungs at a lower pressure so that it can pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide through the process of gas exchange.

By operating at a lower pressure, the pulmonary circuit ensures that blood flows through the lung capillaries at a speed that allows for efficient gas exchange. If the pulmonary circuit operated at the same high pressure as the systemic circuit, the blood would flow too quickly through the capillaries, reducing the amount of time available for gas exchange.

In contrast, the systemic circuit operates at higher pressure to ensure that oxygenated blood is distributed efficiently to all the body tissues. The higher pressure helps to overcome the resistance of the arteries and ensures that blood reaches all the cells in the body.

User Richardson
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P. Circuit is the lungs takes blood from the right side of the heart goes out the artery goes to lungs goes out veins dumps to left side to oxygenate the blood.
Left side s. Circuit delivers oxygenated blood to body goes down the left centric goes to aorta and goes to head and body from there.
User VuVirt
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