Importance of Different Chambers in Heart


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Importance of Different Chambers in Heart

Chambers in the heart: The heart is divided into chambers in order to prevent the mixing of oxygenated blood with deoxygenated blood. A complete vertical partition of the heart into left and right chambers ensures a complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. This type of partition is seen in animals having a double circulation system with two circuits. These animals (e.g. mammals, birds and crocodiles) have lungs.

In one circuit blood flows between the heart and the lungs and in the second circuit it flows between the heart and the body. The heart has four chambers: two atria (often called auricles) and two ventricles. Such a heart is called double heart. This type of complete separation into chambers provides an ample supply of oxygen to all parts of the body. These animals are quite active, so they have a high rate of respiration and require an efficient supply of oxygen. Birds and mammals, being warm blooded, need to spend energy to regulate their body temperature. This also requires oxygen.

Some vertebrates do not use energy for temperature regulation. Their temperature fluctuates with that of the environment and we call them cold blooded. In these animals (except crocodiles) there is some mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood in the heart. This does not harm the animals as their energy demands are not very high. In amphibians the heart is three chambered, having two atria and a single ventricle. Such a heart is called ‘transitional heart’. In most reptiles there are two atria and an incompletely divided ventricle.

Fish have a single circulation system. Their heart is two chambered, having one atrium and one ventricle. Such a heart is called ’single heart’. The fish heart receives and pumps only impure blood. The impure blood goes to the gills for oxygenation and from there it goes to different parts of the body. The impure blood returns to the heart for being pumped out to the gills. Therefore, the fish heart is also called ‘venous heart’.

Sample Questions
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Question : 1

Which of the following are correct ?

(a) In one circuit blood flows between the heart and the lungs and in the second circuit it flows between the heart and the body.

(b) The heart which has four chambers: two atria (often called auricles) and two ventricles is called double heart.

(c) In amphibians the heart is three chambered, having two atria and a single ventricle. Such a heart is called ‘transitional heart’.

Right Option : D
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Question : 2

The heart of fish is also called ______________________ .

Right Option : A
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Question : 3

Which of the following are correct ?

(a)  A complete vertical partition of the heart into left and right chambers ensures a complete separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

(b) Birds and mammals, being warm blooded, need to spend energy to regulate their body temperature.

(c) The impure blood returns to the heart for being pumped out to the gills. Therefore, the fish heart is also called ‘venous heart’.

Right Option : D
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