Final answer:
The left and right sides of the heart are directly connected through the atria and ventricles. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation and pumps it to the lungs, while the left side receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
The left and right sides of the heart are directly connected through the atria and ventricles. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation while the left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs. Both atria then pump the blood into the ventricles. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.