Final answer:
The heart and blood vessels combine to form the cardiovascular system, which is responsible for transporting materials throughout the body. This system includes arteries, veins, and capillaries, and works with other organ systems to maintain the body's homeostasis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The heart and the blood vessels are separate organs that form the cardiovascular system. This organ system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood that transports materials to and from cells of the body. The primary role of the cardiovascular system is the transportation of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Groups of organs form organ systems. For instance, the cardiovascular system includes the heart which pumps the blood, and the blood vessels like veins and arteries. These vessels help circulate the blood to facilitate the delivery of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes from the body's tissues. Other organ systems include the respiratory system, digestive system, and nervous system among others, all of which must work together to maintain homeostasis within the body.
The blood vessels themselves have various types. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, with the aorta being the main artery in the systemic circulation. Veins carry blood back to the heart, and capillaries connect arteries and veins, facilitating the exchange of substances between the blood and the body tissues.