2007-12-27 08:11:08 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Because the right ventricle pumps into the arteries of the lungs, and the left ventricle into the arteries of the rest of the body. It takes more power to pump through the rest of the body.
The unobvious question is, "why does it take more power to pump blood throughout the body, than it takes to pump blood through the lungs?" Fluid resistance is determined by the cross section of the blood vessels, which can be quite variable. But the lungs require a delicate interface between blood and air, so that a certain blood pressure cannot be exceeded, otherwise there is pulmonary edema. Consequently, the arteries of the lungs get by with lower blood pressure by having having more branches, much like a broccoli, which works for the lungs but is impractical for the rest of the body.
2007-12-27 08:14:49 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The left ventricle has to pump blood to the entire body, while the right ventricle only has to pump blood to the lungs, which requires less force. Therefore, the left ventricular wall is more muscular to provide a more powerful "push" to the systemic circulation.
2007-12-27 08:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by Feisty Italian Nurse 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
right ventricle only pumps to the lungs; left ventricle pumps to the rest of the body.
2007-12-27 08:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by John R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋