Which of the following does not characterize the circulatory systems of birds and mammals?
A) There are more blood vessels in the systemic circuit than in the pulmonary circuit.
B) The pulmonary and systemic circuits are entirely separate.
C) Higher pressures are required in the pulmonary circuit relative to the systemic circuit.
D) There is no mixing of blood high in oxygen with blood low in oxygen.
E) The systemic circuit always receives blood with the highest oxygen content.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. The pulmonary circuit has lower pressure as it only needs to pump blood to the lungs for gas exchange, whereas the systemic circuit needs to pump blood to the rest of the body, including the more distant tissues, so it requires higher pressure. Therefore, higher pressures are required in the systemic circuit relative to the pulmonary circuit.

Which of the Following Does Not Characterize the Circulatory Systems