Abstract
The development of complex cellular systems such as the vertebrates requires the availability of large amounts of oxygen for the metabolic needs of the cells. The respiratory and circulatory systems are the specialized and hierarchically organized flow systems that meet this need. The respiratory system carries oxygen from the air to the pulmonary veins, whereas in the circulatory system oxygen is carried by the blood and is delivered to the cells by the thinnest vessels, the capillaries. A countercurrent of oxygen and carbon dioxide crosses the capillary wall, such that carbon dioxide is extracted from the blood stream and is discharged from the lungs into the atmosphere during exhalation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bejan, A., Dincer, I., Lorente, S., Miguel, A.F., Reis, A.H. (2004). Living Structures. In: Porous and Complex Flow Structures in Modern Technologies. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4221-3_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4221-3_6
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1900-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-4221-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive