Why does the heart have different chambers, and what is the purpose of preventing oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-rich blood from mixing?

The heart has different chambers to prevent the mixing of oxygen-rich and carbon dioxide-rich blood, ensuring efficient respiratory and circulatory functions. The separation of chambers enables the heart to maintain a unidirectional flow of blood, optimizing oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal. In mammals like humans, the left side of the heart deals with oxygenated blood from the lungs, pumping it to the body, while the right side handles deoxygenated blood from the body, pumping it to the lungs for oxygenation. This separation enhances the heart’s ability to deliver oxygen and maintain physiological balance, essential for sustaining life processes.