• Question: What are the advantages of the closed circulatory system over the open circulatory system?

    Asked by aeon effects to Ceri, Marikka, Matt, Rob, Sally on 18 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Ceri Dare

      Ceri Dare answered on 18 Nov 2014:

      Closed circulatory systems, like the one humans have, can work much faster because we have a heart as a pump – so we can get oxgyen where it is needed quickly. Insects cannot grow very big because they have an open circulatory system and spiracles, so oxygen cannot get round their bodies quickly.

    • Photo: Robert Hampson

      Robert Hampson answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      And again, already answered on the internet:

      http://www.biology-questions-and-answers.com/the-circulatory-system.html

      “7. What are the advantages of the closed circulatory system over the open circulatory system?
      The closed circulatory system is more efficient. Since blood circulates only inside blood vessels it can do it with more pressure reaching farther distances between the organs where hematosis happens and the peripheral tissues. In addition the circulatory speed also heightens making possible more oxygen supply to great consuming tissues, like the muscle tissues that then can perform faster movements. Animals with an open circulatory system (with the exception of insects that do gas exchange independently from the circulation) are generally slower and have a low metabolic rate.”

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