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AQA GCSE Biology > 2.2 The cardiovascular and respiratory system > Flashcards

2.2 The cardiovascular and respiratory system Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the heart?

A

An organ that pumps blood around the body

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2
Q

What is the purpose of the circulatory system?

A

It carries oxygen and other useful substances to bodily tissues, and removes waste substances

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3
Q

How does the double circulatory system work?

A

One pathway carries blood from the heart to the lungs - where the gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place. The other pathway carries blood from the heart to the tissues.

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4
Q

Why is the double circulatory system important?

A

It makes the circulatory system more efficient - for example, oxygenated blood can be pumped around the body at a higher pressure by the left ventricle.

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5
Q

Where does blood pumped by the right ventricle go?

A

The lungs

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6
Q

Where does blood pumped by the left ventricle go?

A

Body tissues

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7
Q

How many chambers does the heart have and what are they called?

A

Four chambers:

● Right atrium
● Right ventricle
● Left atrium
● Left ventricle

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8
Q

Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker?

A

The left ventricle has to pump blood at a higher pressure around the whole body

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9
Q

What are the four main blood vessels associated with the heart?

A

● Aorta (left): carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body

● Pulmonary vein (left): carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart

● Vena cava (right): carries deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart

● Pulmonary artery (right): carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs

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10
Q

What is the purpose of valves in the heart?

A

They prevent the backflow of blood

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11
Q

What is the purpose of coronary arteries?

A

Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood

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12
Q

Describe the process of blood flow through the heart

A
  1. Blood enters the right atrium via the vena cava, and the left atrium via the pulmonary vein.
  2. The atria contract, forcing blood into the ventricles and causing valves to shut.
  3. After the ventricles contract, blood in the right ventricle enters the pulmonary artery (to the lungs) and blood in the left ventricle enters the aorta (to the body).
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13
Q

What is the approximate value of the natural resting heart rate?

A

70 beats per minute

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14
Q

How is the heart rate controlled?

A

Heart rate is controlled by a group of cells in the right atrium which act as a pacemaker. They release waves of electrical activity which cause the heart muscle to contract.

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15
Q

How can an abnormal heart rhythm be treated?

A

Irregular heart rhythms can be treated using an artificial pacemaker, which sends out electrical signals to correct the heart’s rhythm.

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16
Q

What are the three types of blood vessel in the body?

A

● Arteries
● Veins
● Capillaries

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17
Q

How are arteries adapted for their function?

A

Their function is to carry blood away from the heart. They have a thick muscle layer which adds strength to resist high pressure. They also have a thick elastic layer which allows arteries to stretch and recoil in order to withstand high pressure.

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18
Q

How are veins adapted to their function?

A

Their function is to carry blood towards the heart. Their wide lumen enables blood to be pumped at a low pressure and their valves prevent the backflow of blood.

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19
Q

How are capillaries adapted to their function?

A

Their function is to enable the transfer of substances between blood and tissues. Their walls are one cell thick which is a short diffusion path and their permeable surfaces mean substances can diffuse across them. They have a narrow lumen which results in blood moving more slowly - more time for diffusion.

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20
Q

How would you calculate the rate of blood flow?

A

Volume of blood / Number of minutes

21
Q

Where are the lungs found in the body?

A

The lungs are located in the thorax (within the chest). They are protected by the ribcage and separated from the rest of the abdomen by the diaphragm.

22
Q

What tissues and organs make up the has exchange system?

A

● Trachea

● Intercostal muscles

● Bronchi

● Bronchioles

● Alveoli

● Diaphragm

23
Q

Explain how the lungs are ventilated by the action of the intercostal muscles

A
  1. Intercostal muscles contract
  2. Ribcage moves upwards and outwards
  3. Diaphragm flattens and volume of the chest increases
  4. Increased volume results in decreased pressure
  5. Air is drawn into lungs down pressure gradient

The inverse occurs when air moves out of the lungs

24
Q

Describe how gas exchange occurs at the alveoli

A

Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the capillary bloodstream down its concentration gradient. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the capillary into the alveoli down its concentration gradient.

25
Q

Describe how the alveoli are adapted for gas exchange

A

● Small and arranged in clusters: larger surface area

● Rich blood supply:
maintains concentration gradient

● Thin alveolar wall: short diffusion pathway

26
Q

How would you calculate the breathing rate?

A

Number of breaths / Number of minutes

27
Q

What substance carries the different components of blood around the body?

A

Plasma

28
Q

What substances are transported by plasma?

A

● Red blood cells

● White blood cells

● Platelets

● Carbon dioxide

● Urea

● Products of digestion

29
Q

What is plasma?

A

A yellow liquid within blood that transports substances around the body

30
Q

What is the purpose of red blood cells in blood?

A

Transport of oxygen around the body

31
Q

What is the purpose of white blood cells in blood?

A

They form part of the immune system, which protects the body from invading pathogens

32
Q

How are red blood cells adapted for their function?

A

● Biconcave shape: increased surface area to volume ratio

● No nucleus: more room for haemoglobin to bind to oxygen

● Contains haemoglobin: binds to oxygen

33
Q

How are white blood cells adapted for their function?

A

● Have a nucleus: contains DNA which codes for proteins

● Can produce antibodies and antitoxins

● Can engulf and digest pathogens (phagocytosis)

34
Q

Why is the function of platelets important?

A

Platelets aid in the process of blood clotting (conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin). As a result, red blood cells are trapped in the fibrin network, forming a clot which prevents excessive bleeding. Scab formation (after the clot has dried) prevents bacteria from entering the wound.

35
Q

What is the purpose of platelets in blood?

A

Platelets are small cell fragments which aid the clotting of blood at the site of the wound

36
Q

What is coronary heart disease?

A

Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle become blocked with a buildup of fatty material. This restricts the supply of oxygen to the heart, possibly leading to a heart attack or death.

37
Q

What is a stent and how does it work?

A

A stent is a metal mesh tube that is inserted into a blocked artery so that it remains open. The stent is inflated using a balloon, which is later removed to allow blood to flow freely.

38
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a stent?

A

Advantages:
● Insertion can be carried out without general anaesthetic

● Quick recovery time

● Lowers the risk of a heart attack

Disadvantages:
● Risk of postoperative infection

● Risk of blood clots at site of stent

39
Q

What are statins?

A

Statins are drugs which reduce the level of LDL (bad) cholesterol which contributes to the development of coronary heart disease.

40
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of statins?

A

Advantages:
● Reduces risk of strokes, coronary heart disease and
heart attacks

● Increased level of HDL (good) cholesterol

Disadvantages:
● Have to be taken
continuously

● May have side effects

● Effect may not be
immediate

41
Q

What is a heart bypass surgery?

A

A surgery where blocked coronary arteries are replaced with sections of veins taken from other parts of the body

42
Q

What are the consequences of leaky heart valves?

A

Blood flows in the wrong direction, causing the heart to become less efficient. Patients may become breathless and die as a result.

43
Q

What types of valves can replace leaky valves?

A

Mechanical - made of metal or polymers

Biological - taken from animals (pigs, sometimes humans)

44
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical valves?

A

Advantages:
● Last for a very long time

Disadvantages:
● Need to take medication to prevent blood clotting around valve

45
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of biological valves?

A

Advantages:
● Work very well - no medication required

Disadvantages:
● Only last for 12-15 years

46
Q

What is the purpose of an artificial heart?

A

Artificial hearts are intended to support a patient’s heart while they wait for a suitable donor heart

47
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of artificial hearts?

A

Advantages:
● Less likely to be rejected by immune system

● Allows damaged heart to rest to help recovery

Disadvantages:
● Risk of infection due to surgery

● Risk of blood clots

● Have to take blood-thinning drugs

48
Q
A

AQA GCSE Biology (31 decks)

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