Why do we have a circulatory system?

The circulatory system circulates oxygen and nutrients, which are essential for our cells survival. In
the cardiovascular system, we have the heart which is a powerful pump organ designed to beat
many millions of times over the lifetime of an organism. The heart circulates blood throughout the
veins and arteries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, providing it to tissues, then
returning the depleted red bloods cells back to the heart through the veins for re-oxygenation.
Open circulatory systems
The hemolymph in insects is circulated in large spaces whereby a heart pumps blood out into
cavities that surround the organs. There is no distinction between blood and interstitial (tissue)
fluid; this combined fluid is called hemolymph. Muscular movements by the animal
during locomotion (e.g. flying, running, jumping etc.) can facilitate hemolymph movement. A simple
heart will pump out the hemolymph into hemocoel (cavities) that surround the organs. When
the heart relaxes, blood is drawn back toward the heart through open-ended pores (ostia).
Closed circulatory systems
Vertebrates have closed circulatory systems; the blood flows along enclosed tubes which generates
a high pressure because it is forced along narrow channels. Therefore, the blood will travel faster
and more efficiently. The blood leaves the heart under pressure and flows along arteries and then
arterioles (small arteries) to capillaries which are in close contact with most cells allowing the blood
to exchange substances. After this, the blood returns to the heart through venules (small veins) and
then veins. We have valves which ensure that the blood wont flow backwards. There are two types
of closed circulatory systems:

DOUBLE
Mammals have a double circulatory system.
The right ventricle of the heart pumps de-
oxygenated blood to the lungs where it
picks up oxygen.
The oxygenated blood then returns to the
heart where its pumped a second time by
the left ventricle, out to the rest of body.
Because of this, we have a high metabolic
rate because oxygen and food substances
(that we need for metabolic processes) are
delivered more rapidly to cells.

SINGLE
The single circulatory system or single-
circuit system is the simpler system that
exists in vertebrates that have gills as the
site of gas exchange.

The blood from the body is brought by the
veins into the heart; then the heart pumps
this deoxygenated blood toward the gills.
In the gills the blood becomes loaded with
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
The oxygenated blood from the gills is then
distributed by arteries to the body.
The oxygen is delivered to the tissues
through capillaries, these in turn unite to
form veins, and the veins go back to the
heart.

Thus, blood only goes through one circuit.