Which of the following best describes a closed circulatory system?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To tackle this question, I’ll evaluate what a closed circulatory system involves and then examine each option in turn for accuracy.

Option a: 'A circulatory system where blood is pumped by a centralized heart and confined to vessels' — This statement captures the core features of a closed circulatory system: the blood is indeed confined to vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries) and is driven by a heart (a centralized pump). This aligns with the standard definition found in physiology texts, making this option a strong, correct description.

Option b: 'A circulatory system where blood is not confined to vessels and bathes the tissues directly' — This describes an open circulatory system, where hemolymph bathes organs in body cavities (sinuses) rather than circulating strictly within vessels. Therefore, this option describes the opposite of a closed system and is incorrect.

Option c: 'A circulatory system where blood is confined to vessels and flows under constant high pressure' — While confinement to vessels is a feature of closed systems, the phrase 'constant high pressure' is not a defining characteristic. In many closed systems, blood pressure fluctuates with heartbeat, activity, and regulatory mechanisms. Stating it is 'constant high pressure' is inaccurate and overly prescriptive, making this option misleading and incorrect.

Option d: 'A circulatory system where blood is pumped by multiple hearts and flows through a series of chambers' — This describes a system with multiple pumping structures and a chambered circuit, which can occur in some closed systems (e.g., certain cephalopods have multiple hearts) but it’s not a universal or universally applicable descriptor for all closed circulatory systems. The presence of multiple hearts is not a defining criterion, so while it can be true for some animals, it isn’t the best general description of a closed system. Hence, this option is less precise than option a.

In summary, option a provides the clearest, most general definition of a closed circulatory system by emphasizing heart-driven pumping and confinement of blood to vessels, whereas the other choices either describe open systems, introduce misleading pressure assumptions, or rely on special-case variations that aren’t universally representative.

BIO 181 (001&002) FALL 2025 4A - Self-Check: Circulatory System: Introduction (LO 4A.1, 4A.2, 4A.3)

Which of the following best describes a closed circulatory system?

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