One of the most important systems of the body, which keeps it alive, is the cardiovascular system. As an integral part of the circulatory system, the cardiovascular system pumps blood throughout the body through a network of numerous arteries and veins, providing it with nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, the cardiovascular system fights infections and diseases in the body and creates blood cells. Nevertheless, blood acts as a filtration system for the body and removes waste, cellular debris or bacteria from the bloodstream. When blood circulates through the circulatory system, it is first pumped from the right side of the heart to the lungs via the circulatory system. pulmonary arteries then separate into arterioles which divide into capillaries. Here, deoxygenated blood receives oxygen diffused into the lungs due to its large surface area and returns through the Venules and then the pulmonary veins to the left side of the heart. From there, oxygen-rich blood is pumped throughout the body through arteries, arterioles and capillaries, providing the body and cells with nutrients through osmosis. Then the now deoxygenated blood returns to the right side of the heart containing deoxygenated blood, through the Venules and Veins to repeat the cycle. Additionally, the heart is nourished by coronary circulation through the right and left main coronary arteries. The body's blood is made up of many components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. Red blood cells provide your body with oxygen and remove waste. Without them, your body would slowly die. They contain a chemical protein called hemoglobin, which gives it its red color. Additionally, hemoglobin contains iron, which allows oxygen molecules to attach to it so that blood passes through the tissues...... middle of paper ......siteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete"Heart and circulatory system." KidsHealth – the most visited children's health website. Ed. Yamini Durani. Nemours Foundation, January 1, 2013. Web. January 21, 2014.WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete"High blood pressure (hypertension)." Symptoms. Np, and Web. January 29, 2014.WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete “Home: where the heart is.” The Human Heart: An Online Exploration of the Franklin Institute, Made Possible by Unisys. Np, and Web. January 27, 2014.WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDelete"INTRO TO THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.wmv." YouTube. YouTube, January 1, 2010. Web. January 26, 2014.WebsiteCommentsLinkTagsParentheticalEditDeleteOwyoung, Palmer. "What is the role of the spleen and marrow in the circulatory system? | EHow." EComment. Demand Media, October 30, 2009. Web. January 29. 2014.