Explain how the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to support an athlete during a 5 km run. (6 marks)
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During a 5 km run:
Respiratory and circulatory systems work together to meet increased oxygen demands and remove waste products.
Respiratory system
- increases breathing rate and depth to enhance oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal through the alveoli.
- Simultaneously, the circulatory system increases heart rate and stroke volume to transport more oxygenated blood to working muscles through the systemic circulation.
The pulmonary circulation
- facilitates efficient gas exchange as deoxygenated blood from working muscles enters the pulmonary arteries
- flows through capillaries surrounding alveoli where it becomes oxygenated then returns to the heart via pulmonary veins
- oxygenated blood is then pumped through the systemic circulation to deliver oxygen to the working muscles and remove metabolic waste products
Show Worked Solution
Sample Answer
During a 5 km run:
Respiratory and circulatory systems work together to meet increased oxygen demands and remove waste products.
Respiratory system
- Respiratory system increases breathing rate and depth to enhance oxygen intake and carbon dioxide removal through the alveoli.
The circulatory system
- Simultaneously, increases heart rate and stroke volume to transport more oxygenated blood to working muscles through the systemic circulation.
- The pulmonary circulation facilitates efficient gas exchange as deoxygenated blood from working muscles enters the pulmonary arteries
- flows through capillaries surrounding alveoli where it becomes oxygenated then returns to the heart via pulmonary veins
- oxygenated blood is then pumped through the systemic circulation to deliver oxygen to the working muscles and remove metabolic waste products