What is meant by double circulation? What is its significance?
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Solution
Double circulation:
A mechanism in which blood circulates twice through the heart in one complete cycle is known as double circulation.
Systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation are two pathways in which the blood flows in double circulation.
Double circulation is present in birds and mammals.
i) Systemic circulation:
Systemic circulation is present between the heart and body tissues.
The oxygenated blood flows from the left ventricle to all body parts.
The deoxygenated blood returns from the tissue to the right atrium.
The systemic circulation delivers nutrition, oxygen, and other vital elements to tissues while also transporting CO2 and other toxic substances for removal.
ii) Pulmonary circulation:
Pulmonary circulation is present between the heart and the lungs.
The right ventricle pumps blood into the pulmonary artery, while the left ventricle pumps blood into the aorta.
The deoxygenated blood pumped into the pulmonary artery is delivered to the lungs, where it is replaced by oxygenated blood carried into the left atrium via the pulmonary veins.
Significance of double circulation:
Both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood are kept separate by double circulation.
As a result, this circulation guarantees that the body has a constant supply of oxygen while also increasing body efficiency.
It is beneficial to species with high energy needs, such as birds and mammals, that use energy to maintain their body temperature all of the time.