Which of the following best describes a difference between systemic and pulmonary circulation?

• A. Systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, while pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
• B. Systemic circulation only occurs in the lungs, while pulmonary circulation occurs throughout the body.
• C. Pulmonary circulation delivers nutrients to body tissues, while systemic circulation removes carbon dioxide from the lungs.
• D. Pulmonary circulation is responsible for hormone transport, while systemic circulation is not involved in transport.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the two types of circulations in the cardiovascular system: systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation. Systemic circulation involves the movement of oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Pulmonary circulation involves the movement of deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and then back to the heart.
2. Step 2: Analyze the first option: 'Systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, while pulmonary circulation carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.' This statement aligns with the definitions of systemic and pulmonary circulation.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the second option: 'Systemic circulation only occurs in the lungs, while pulmonary circulation occurs throughout the body.' This is incorrect because systemic circulation occurs throughout the body, not just in the lungs, and pulmonary circulation is specific to the lungs.
4. Step 4: Assess the third option: 'Pulmonary circulation delivers nutrients to body tissues, while systemic circulation removes carbon dioxide from the lungs.' This is incorrect because pulmonary circulation is primarily responsible for gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in the lungs, not nutrient delivery, which is a function of systemic circulation.
5. Step 5: Review the fourth option: 'Pulmonary circulation is responsible for hormone transport, while systemic circulation is not involved in transport.' This is incorrect because both circulations are involved in transporting hormones and other substances throughout the body. Pulmonary circulation is primarily focused on gas exchange, while systemic circulation handles nutrient and waste transport.