The circulatory system carries blood and substances through the body using the heart and blood vessels. The heart pumps blood through arteries which have thick muscular walls. Arteries take blood away from the heart to the body. Veins carry blood back towards the heart and have valves to prevent backflow. Capillaries link arteries and veins and have a thin one cell wall to exchange materials. Blood is made up of plasma, red blood cells which carry oxygen, white blood cells which protect the body, and platelets which help blood to clot.