The fluids produced by different parts of the body, such as blood, lymph, milk, saliva, tears etc., and circulated in the body via the circulatory system are known as body fluids. However, it is vital to study the classification of body fluids and circulation to understand the circulatory system fully. Blood and lymph are regarded as the most essential body fluids. Body fluids may be differentiated into intracellular and extracellular fluids, for example, blood, saliva, gastric juice, semen, mucus, and urine.
Body Fluids and Circulation: Classification
Body fluids can be broadly classified into two categories:
- Intracellular body fluids: These are secreted within the cell and account for approximately 67% of the entire body fluid. Intracellular fluids are composed of ions, molecules, and water. It consists of cytosol, which is present in the nuclei of a cell. The cytosol is made of ions, water, and organic molecules and is present in the cell’s cytoplasm.
- Extracellular body fluids: These are secreted outside the cell and can account for up to 26% of the entire body fluid. The composition of extracellular fluids is cations and anions. This fluid contains plasma, lymph, interstitial fluid, and transcellular fluid. The transcellular fluid comprises electrolytes made from sodium and chloride ions.
Definition of Circulation
Circulation is the movement of essential nutrients via blood in the blood vessels spread throughout the body. Circulation is crucial for removing the waste substances from the body and regulating the body fluids’ functions. The critical aspects of circulation include the transportation of respiratory gases, nutrients, hormones, and metabolic waste from outside the body. The circulation of healthy body fluids all around the body helps to maintain the temperature and increases the immunity of the body.
There are two types of blood circulatory systems:
- open circulatory system
- closed circulatory system.
Open type |
Closed type |
(1) Blood is filled in the coelomic channel and sinus coelom is called haemocoel. Fluids are called hemolymph. (2) tissues are in direct contact with circulating fluid. (3) eg. Arthropoda , echinodermata , some mollusca |
(1) blood circulates in closed vessels (2) tissues are not in direct contact with circulating fluid (3) eg. Annelida , some Mollusca Higher animals like rabbit and man |
Functions of Body Fluid
The heart is one of the vital organs in the circulatory system responsible for blood circulation throughout the body. Blood consists of plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The different components of blood have their unique characteristics and carry essential protein and water.
The explanation of how our heart works starts from the arteries that carry the blood with oxygen away from the heart towards the entire body. The veins bring back the blood (deoxygenated) of the whole body towards the heart so that the heart can purify the blood for the repetition of the process. The heart’s four chambers, the upper and the lower chambers, are separated by valves. This process is called double circulation since the blood passes through the heart twice in the form of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. The circulation mechanism is important for the body fluids and circulation.
Circulation Disorder
A disorder in the circulatory system can lead to hypertension, heart attack, and heart failure. These can prove to be fatal for the body, and therefore, the heart’s health should be maintained by eating healthy food. The normal blood pressure should be 120/80, and if the pressure is above or below this value, then the person can suffer from hypertension. Such disorders can severely affect vital organs of the body such as the liver or the kidney and lead to multiple organ failures. If the heart cannot pump blood at a steady rate, or the blood is unable to reach all the parts of the body, then the body can suffer from heart-related disorders.
Conclusion
Fluids secreted and circulated throughout the body are body fluids. Any disorder in the circulation of body fluids involves risks. Blood, lymph, saliva, etc., are some of the important fluids produced in the body. The circulatory system is a mechanism responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body. Disorders related to circulation can lead to hypertension, heart failure, heart attack, etc. Body fluids are vital for the survival of the body. A disorder in the circulatory system can lead to hypertension, heart attack, and heart failure. These can prove to be fatal for the body, and therefore, the heart’s health should be maintained by eating healthy food.