Components:
* Heart: Snakes have a three-chambered heart with two atria and one ventricle. This is different from the four-chambered heart of mammals and birds.
* Blood vessels: These include arteries, veins, and capillaries that carry blood throughout the body.
How it works:
1. Deoxygenated blood: Blood that has delivered oxygen and nutrients to the body returns to the heart via the vena cava.
2. Right atrium: Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium of the heart.
3. Right ventricle: The blood then passes through the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs.
4. Lungs: In the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
5. Left atrium: Oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins and enters the left atrium.
6. Left ventricle: The left ventricle pumps the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.
7. Body: The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and picks up carbon dioxide and other waste products.
8. Cycle repeats: The blood then returns to the heart, starting the cycle again.
Unique adaptations:
* Slow blood flow: Snake hearts are relatively small compared to their body size, resulting in slower blood flow compared to mammals.
* Lower metabolic rate: This slower blood flow is linked to snakes' lower metabolic rate, meaning they have less need for rapid oxygen delivery.
* Vena cavae: Unlike mammals, snakes have two vena cavae (anterior and posterior) which collect deoxygenated blood from the body.
Important notes:
* Temperature regulation: The circulatory system plays a role in thermoregulation, as snakes can constrict or dilate blood vessels to control body temperature.
* Venom: Some snakes have venom glands connected to their circulatory system.
In conclusion, the snake's circulatory system is designed to efficiently deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout its body, despite the challenges presented by its elongated form and lower metabolic rate.