Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/12/2011

Question
Hello, thank you in advance for answering my question!

Q: How are the Circulatory and Respiratory Systems connected anatomically and how do they work together to maintain homeostasis? What would happen if the homeostasis was disrupted?

Answer
Hi Jordan
The circulatory has three systems:
The pulmonary circulation carrying blood to and from the lungs
The cardiac circulation carrying blood to and from the heart
The circulation to the body and organs

It is the respiratory system that delivers air to the lungs where the CO2-O2 exchange takes place. Feedback mechanisms maintain the O2-CO2 balance by monitoring the blood CO2 levels.
Anytime homeostasis is disrupted there is organ failure. If the blood CO2 level increase without buffering the blood pH would change causing acidosis