1.2 The structure and function of the cardio-respiratory system Flashcards
What does cardio-respiratory stand for?
The interaction of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide
What are the three functions of the cardiovascular system?
Transportation of oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients
Helps clot the blood
Controls body temperature
What part of the blood allows the blood to clot?
Platelets
What is the name given to the process of a blood vessel narrowing to help warm the body up?
Vasocontriction
What is the name given to the process of a blood vessel widening to help cool the body down?
Vasodilation
Name the different components of the cardiovascular system
Heart
Blood
Blood vessels
What is the name of the blood vessel the takes blood from the lungs to the heart?
Pulmonary vein
What is the name of the blood vessel that takes blood from the heart to the lungs?
Pulmonary artery
What is the name of the blood vessel that take blood away from the heart to the rest of the body?
Aorta
What is the name of the blood vessel that takes blood from the rest of the body to the heart?
Vena Cava
Name the valve between the ventricles and the pulmonary blood vessels
Semi lunar valve
Name the valve between the right atrium and right ventricle
Tricuspid valve
Name the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle
Bicuspid valve
What is the name given the the part of the heart that separates the left and right side?
Septum
Does the aorta carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood
Oxygenated
Does the vena cava carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Deoxygenated
Does the pulmonary artery carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Deoxygenated
Does the pulmonary vein carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Oxygenated
What is blood pressure?
The pressure of the blood against the walls of the blood vessels.
Define systole
The phase of the heartbeat when the heart contracts and pumps blood from the ventricles
Define diastole
The phase of the heart beat when the heart muscles relaxes and the heart fills with blood
During exercise what happens to blood pressure?
It increases
Why does blood pressure increase during exercise?
More blood is being pumped around the body therefore there is more pressure of the blood vessel walls
Describe the structure and function of an artery
Narrow lumen
Carry blood away from the heart
Thick walls and more elastic
Describe the structure and function of a vein
Wide lumen
Thin walls
Carry blood towards the heart
Describe the structure and function of a capillary
One cell thick
Where gaseous exchange takes place
Link arteries and veins
What is the name given to the process of redirecting blood around the body?
Vascular shunting
When we exercise what happens to blood flow to our organs?
It decreases
What happens to the blood vessels going to our organs when we exercise and why?
They vasoconstrict to reduce the amount of blood going to the organs. This means more blood can go to the working muscles.
When we exercise what happens to blood flow to the working muscles?
It increases
What happens to the blood vessels going to our muscles and why?
They vasodilate to increase the amount of blood going to the muscles. This means more blood and more oxygen can be delivered.
Regular exercise makes our body more ……………………………. at vascular shunting
efficient
Name the four parts of blood
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
- Plasma
What is the function of red blood cells?
To carry oxygen
What is the function of white blood cells?
To help fight infection
What is the function of platelets?
To clot the blood
What is the function of plasma?
Carries nutrients in the blood
When an athlete trains at altitude what effect does this have?
It increases the number of red blood cells in their body. This means they can transport more oxygen
What are the two functions of the respiratory system?
- Get oxygen into the body
2. Remove carbon dioxide from the body
What is the composition of inhaled air?
Oxygen 20%
Carbon dioxide 0.4%
What is the composition of exhaled air?
Oxygen 16%
Carbon dioxide 4%
What happens to the rate of breathing during exercise and why does this happen?
It increases. This is to increase the amount of oxygen entering the body and to allow the additional carbon dioxide produced to leave the body
What happens to the depth of breathing during exercise and why does this happen?
It increases. This increases the amount of oxygen entering and carbon dioxide leaving the body with each breath
Define inspiration
Breathing in
Define expiration
Breathing out
Define vital capacity
The maximum amount of air that can be forced out of the lungs in once breath
Define tidal volume
The amount of air inspired and expired with each normal breath
What happens to tidal volume when you exercise?
It increases
Does vital capacity change when we exercise?
No, it stays the same
Why does vital capacity increase when you exercise?
To allow more oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out
What is the diaphragm?
A sheet of muscle that sits below the ribs and lungs. When we breathe in it flattens to allow more space for the lungs to inflate. When we breathe out it moves upwards to force air out of the lungs
Where are the alveoli found?
At the end of the bronchioles
What process takes place at the alveoli?
Gaseous exchange
What about the structure of the alveoli makes it ideal for gaseous exchange?
Large surface area
1 cell thick
Define gaseous exchange
The exchange of gases across a membrane. The gases move from an area of high concentration to low concentration
Define oxygen debt
The amount of additional oxygen needed at the end of anaerobic exercise to replenish oxygen stores and break down lactic acid
Following what type of exercise does oxygen debt occur?
Anaerobic exercise
