The journey of a red blood cell through the body

DID YOU KNOW?

• Five million red blood cells are packed into a spec of blood
• They have a 100 day live cycle 
• They transport oxygen through out the body
• Blood travels throughout vessels like interstate high way systems

The circulatory system

• Red blood cells enter the right side of the heart.
• They pick up oxygenated blood when they travel to the lungs.
• From the lungs they travel to left side of the heart.
• The heart pumps the red blood cells with oxygen through out the body.

MOre of the circulatory system

• As the red blood cell travels, it deposits oxygen as it goes.
• As it is dropping the oxygen off, it is picking the CO2 up.
• Red blood cells escort the carbon dioxide to the right side of the heart.
• The pumping action of the heart moves the red blood cells to the lungs.
• The journey starts again.

Pumping action

• The left ventricle pumps red cell to the aorta. 
• The aorta is the body's largest artery.
• Smaller arteries pass red blood cell to capillaries.
• Capillaries pass blood to the body tissue.
• Oxygenated blood  travels to the right ventricle.

more pumping

• The blood cells move through the pulmonary arteries.
• This is when red blood cell pick up more oxygen.
• Oxygenated blood goes back to the left atrium.
• Finally, red blood cells move into the left ventricle. 
• And the cycle repeats.