Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than the wall of the right ventricle? View Available Hint(s) \[ \begin{array}{l}\text { The left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood, while the right ventricle pumps oxygen poor blood } \\ \text { O. The left ventricle contracts before the right ventricle does } \\ \text { The left ventricle pumps more blood than the right ventricle left ventricle pumps blood at a higher tomperature than the right ventricle, } \\ \text { Sthe left ventricle pumps blood at a higher pressure than the right ventricle } \\ \text { Submit }\end{array} \]

The **left ventricle** has a **thicker wall** than the right ventricle primarily because it **pumps blood at a higher pressure**. Here’s why: - **Higher Pressure Requirement**: The left ventricle is responsible for pumping **oxygen-rich blood** into the **systemic circulation**, which supplies blood to the entire body. This requires generating higher pressure to overcome the resistance in the systemic arteries. - **Thicker Muscular Wall**: To achieve this higher pressure, the left ventricle has a **thicker and more muscular wall** compared to the right ventricle, which pumps blood into the **pulmonary circulation** (lungs) at a lower pressure. **Incorrect Options Explained:** 1. **Oxygen Content**: While it's true that the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood and the right pumps oxygen-poor blood, this difference in oxygen content does not necessitate a thicker wall. 2. **Contraction Timing**: Both ventricles contract almost simultaneously during the cardiac cycle (systole), so the timing isn't the reason for the difference in wall thickness. 3. **Blood Volume**: Both ventricles pump roughly the same volume of blood per heartbeat (cardiac output). 4. **Temperature**: The temperature of the blood pumped does not affect the thickness of the ventricular walls. **Conclusion:** The primary reason for the thicker wall of the left ventricle is its need to pump blood at a **higher pressure** to supply the entire body. **Answer:** The left ventricle pumps blood at a higher pressure than the right ventricle.