Briefly mention the steps in double-circulation through human heart.
Briefly mention the steps in double-circulation through human heart.
Double circulation means that blood passes through the heart twice in one complete circuit of the body — once through the pulmonary circuit (heart to lungs and back) and once through the systemic circuit (heart to body and back) — keeping oxygenated and deoxygenated blood separate.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for correctly describing the pulmonary circuit (right side of heart to lungs and back to left atrium)
- 21 mark for correctly describing the systemic circuit (left side of heart to body and back to right atrium)
Hint
Trace the path of blood starting from deoxygenated blood entering the right atrium, and note how many times it passes through the heart before completing one full cycle.
Quick Oral Answer
Double circulation ensures oxygenated blood from the lungs is not mixed with deoxygenated blood from the body, since the heart has separate chambers and separate circuits for each — this efficient supply of oxygen is essential in birds and mammals which constantly expend energy to maintain a stable body temperature.
Analysis & Explanation
As per NCERT: 'Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs comes to the thin-walled upper chamber of the heart on the left, the left atrium... It then contracts, while the next chamber, the left ventricle, relaxes, so that the blood is transferred to it. When the muscular left ventricle contracts in its turn, the blood is pumped out to the body. De-oxygenated blood comes from the body to the upper chamber on the right, the right atrium... This transfers blood to the right ventricle, which in turn pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation... it goes through the heart twice during each cycle in other vertebrates. This is known as double circulation.' This separation is essential because it prevents oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing, allowing a highly efficient supply of oxygen to the body — vital for animals like birds and mammals that constantly use energy to maintain their body temperature.
Common Mistakes
- 1Describing only single circulation (heart to lungs or heart to body) without covering both loops
- 2Mixing up which side (left/right) receives oxygenated versus deoxygenated blood
- 3Forgetting to state why separation of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood is advantageous
Interesting Facts
Fish have only a two-chambered heart and single circulation — blood passes through the heart only once per cycle — whereas mammals and birds need double circulation to support their high, constant energy needs for maintaining body temperature.
Amphibians and most reptiles have a three-chambered heart that allows some mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, unlike the fully separated four-chambered mammalian heart.
Spotted a mistake or something unclear?
Tell us — we fix reported answers fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?
This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Life Processes" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Transportation in Human Beings — Double circulation" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
Has this question appeared in other CBSE Science papers?
Yes, a similar question appeared in the 2026 CBSE Class 10 Science paper.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?
This is a Very Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.