5. Cardiovascular System Part 1 Flashcards
Name THREE components of the cardiovascular system.
Blood; Heart; Blood Vessels
Complete the following blanks:
Blood is a fluid type of connective tissue composed of ………. (55%) and ………. (45%). It contributes to homeostasis by transporting …………, carbon dioxide, waste, …….. and ……….. It helps regulate body pH and ……… It also plays an important role in ……………. function with antibodies, phagocytes and ……….. factors.
Blood is a fluid type of connective tissue composed of PLASMA (55%) and CELLS (45%). It contributes to homeostasis by transporting OXYGEN, carbon dioxide, waste, NUTRIENTS and HORMONES. It helps regulate body pH and TEMPERATURE. It also plays an important role in IMMUNE function with antibodies, phagocytes and CLOTTING factors.
What is meant by blood plasma
The yellow covered liquid that remains when when cells are removed from blood.
Name THREE components (not water) of blood plasma.
Proteins (9%)
Mineral salts (0.9%)
Hormones
Nutrients
Waste materials
Enzymes
Gases
Where are most blood plasma proteins synthesised in the body?
In the liver
Name the most abundant plasma protein in blood.
Albumin is the most abundant comprising 55%.
Globulin (38%) and Fibrinogen (7%)
List TWO functions of albumin.
Most abundant protein in the blood.
1 Maintains osmotic pressure.
We need sufficient fluid in the cell for delivering nutrients and removing waste.
Albumin is an essential plasma protein for regulating blood volume.
It draws in water like a very thirsty sponge. This keeps the blood nice and plumped up with lots of water to aid chemical reactions.
With less albumin to attract water, it can leak out leading to oedema (swelling)
I. It is a transport protein. Think of it like a taxi carrying fats, hormones, bilirubin, medication
List TWO functions of globulins.
Globulins are plasma proteins.
Globulins proteins are larger than albumin and are divided into Alpha, Beta and Gamma globulins (immune globulins).
I. Alpha and Beta Globulins transport iron, lipids and vitamins (Iron is particularly important)
II. Gamma Globulins are for Immunity – antibodies are secreted by B cells
What is another name for ‘clotting factor 1’?
Fibrinogen
Which FOUR nutritional products of digestion pass into the blood for distribution to all body cells?
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins (amino acids), vitamins
What is a cation? Name 2 of them
A cation is a mineral component of blood plasma. Positively charged ion.
Potassium
Magnesium
Sodium
Calcium
What is an anion? Name two of them
A mineral component of blood plasma. Negatively charged ion.
Chlorides, bicarbonates, phosphates
List FOUR types of organic waste that blood plasma transports.
I. Carbon dioxide – from cell metabolism
II. Urea – protein used for energy within a cell creates ammonia which is converted to the less harmful waste product urea
III. Creatinine – from muscle breakdown
IV. Uric Acid – from purine (components of DNA) breakdown
Which TWO gases are transported in blood plasma?
Oxygen and carbon dioxide
With regards to blood cells, complete the following table:
Cell name: Description:
Erythrocyte
Leukocyte
Thrombocyte
Cell name —- Description:
Erythrocyte —- Red blood cell
Leukocyte —- White blood cell
Thrombocyte —- Platelets
Define haematopoiesis.
The production of all blood cells.
Poiesis = production
Erythropoiesis would be the production of red blood cells; leukopoiesis the production of white blood cells and thrombopoiesis the production of platelets.
Complete the following blanks:
All blood cells originate from ………. stem cells in the ………. bone ……….. During the first two months of gestation, the ………. yolk sac performs haematopoiesis. Between 2 and 9 months of foetal life, the ………. and spleen carry out this function. In the first few years of life all bone marrow is coloured ………. and produces blood cells.
All blood cells originate from PLURIPOTENT* stem cells in the red bone MARROW. During the first two months of gestation, the EMBRYONIC yolk sac performs haematopoiesis. Between 2 and 9 months of foetal life, the LIVER and spleen carry out this function. In the first few years of life all bone marrow is coloured RED and produces blood cells.
*Pluripotent stem cells may give rise to all types of cells in an organism, Multipotent and Unipotent stem cells remain restricted to the particular tissue or lineages.
Name TWO locations in the body where haematopoiesis takes place.
During gestation it is the embryonic yolk sac
Between months 2 and birth it is the liver and spleen
After birth it is the bone marrow of vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, sacrum, pelvis (where biopsies are usually taken because the pelvis is packed with bone marrow) and proximal long bones (mostly femur and humerus)
Describe how the structure of a red blood cell supports oxygen transport.
Erythrocytes do not have any organelles including a nucleus which makes their concave shape as there is nothing inside and means there is more space for oxygen and a larger surface are for gas transfer.
What is the life span of an erythrocyte?
90-120 days
Explain what is meant by the ‘haematocrit’?
The percentage of the blood volume that is occupied by Erythrocytes. Men is about 47% and women 42%.
Describe the structure of haemoglobin.
A haemoglobin molecule is made up of four polypeptide chains.
All Hb molecules have two alpha helix shaped polypeptide chains which make up the backbone of the Hb. The other two subunits vary for a foetus versus an adult.
Explain the main difference between adult and foetal haemoglobin.
Foetal Haemoglobin (HbF) is made of two helix shaped alpha chains and two gamma chains. After birth (adult Haemoglobin) (HbA), the gamma chains are replaced with beta chains.
Why is the colour of blood red?
The way that light is reflected off the chemical bonds between Iron and Oxygen. Blood appears red due to the interaction of Iron and Oxygen with haem* units.
*Haem combines with globin proteins to form Haemoglobin