The circulatory system transports blood containing oxygen and nutrients throughout the body using blood vessels and the heart. The circulatory system consists of blood, blood vessels, and the heart. Blood is made of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon dioxide, white blood cells protect against infection, and platelets form blood clots to stop bleeding. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart while veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart. Capillaries connect arteries and veins to deliver blood to tissues. The heart is a hollow muscle with four chambers that pumps blood through the circulatory system around 60-100 times per minute, increasing during exercise to meet higher