A&P - Subject Specific Vocabulary Flashcards
Define Anticipatory Rise
An increase in heart rate prior to exercise, due to the release of adrenalin.
Define AVO2-Diff
The difference in the oxygen content of the blood between the arterial blood and the venous
blood.
Define Systolic Blood Pressure
- Systolic blood pressure: Blood pressure while the heart is contracting.
Define diastolic blood pressure
- Diastolic blood pressure: Blood pressure while the heart is relaxing.
Define Bohr Shift
The Bohr shift is when an oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve moves to the right during
exercise. An oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve correlates the oxygen saturation of
haemoglobin across a range of oxygen pressures
Define Bradycardia
A reduction in resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute.
Define sino-atrial node
the heart’s pacemaker, which sends an impulse through the atria
causing them to contract.
Define cardiac conduction system
A group of specialised cardiac muscle cells in the walls of the heart that send signals to the heart
muscle, causing it to contract. The main components of the cardiac conduction system are
Define cardiac hypertrophy
Increase in thickness of the muscular heart wall, especially around the left ventricle
Define cardiac output
Cardiac output is the amount of blood which leaves the left ventricle per minute. It is calculated
by multiplying heart rate and stroke volume
Define heart rate
Heart rate is the number of times the heart contracts per minute
Define stroke volume
Stroke volume is the amount of blood which leaves the left ventricle per contraction.
Define cardiovascular drift
A reduction in stroke volume when exercising in warm conditions for longer than 10 minutes.
Results in an increase in heart rate to maintain cardiac output.
Occurs due to sweating which reduces blood volume and increases viscosity. This decreases
venous return which, in line with Starling’s law, decreases stroke volume.
Define haemoglobin
Found in red blood cells. Haemoglobin combines with oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin,
transporting it around the body.
Define myoglobin
Found in muscle cells, myoglobin stores and transports oxygen. It has a higher affinity for
oxygen than haemoglobin, so it aids transport into muscle cells.
Define vasodilation
Vasodilation: Precapillary sphincters will relax, widening the internal diameter of blood
vessels. During exercise this will happen in the vessels leading to working muscles allowing
more oxygen and nutrient rich blood to reach them.
Define vasoconstriction
Precapillary sphincters will contract, decreasing the internal diameter of
blood vessels. During exercise this will happen in the vessels leading to non-working
muscles and non-essential organs eg digestive system. This allows more blood to be
available for the working muscles.
Define venous return
Increased venous return will result in a higher stroke volume. The is due to the cardiac muscle
being stretched, resulting in a stronger force of contraction and greater ejection fraction.
Define ischaemic strokes
occur when a blood clot stops the supply of blood reaching the brain.
These are the most common type.
Define Haemorrhagic strokes
- Haemorrhagic strokes are the result of a weakened blood vessel to the brain bursting.
Define valves
- Valves: Found in veins that prevent the backflow of blood.
Define skeletal muscle pumps
Skeletal muscle pump: Working muscles contract and compress veins to push blood back
towards the heart
Define respiratory pumps
Respiratory pump: Increased respiration/changes in pressure in the thorax compress
veins to push blood back towards the heart.
Define diffusion
The movement of gases from an area of high partial pressure to an area of low partial pressure.
Define expiratory reserve volume
The volume of air which could be forcibly expired in addition to tidal volume.
Define inspiratory reserve volume
The volume of air which could be forcibly inspired in addition to tidal volume.
Define minute ventilation
Volume of air inspired or expired per minute. Breathing rate x tidal volume.
Define partial pressure
The pressure exerted by an individual gas in a mixture of gases.
Define residual volume
The volume of air which must remain in the lungs after a maximal expiration. This is to prevent
the lungs from collapsing.
Define tidal volume
Volume of air breathed in or out per breath.
Define all or none law
Impulses arriving at the neuron must reach a threshold level. If they do all of the muscles in
that motor unit will contract. If they do none will contract. A motor unit cannot partially contract.
Define type IIx muscle fibres
These muscle fibres produce the highest force and speed of contraction, via the anaerobic
respiration. They are highly susceptible to fatigue.
Define type IIa muscle fibres
These muscle fibres produce a high force and speed of contraction, primarily via the anaerobic
respiration. However, a limited degree of aerobic capacity allows some fatigue resistance.
Define golgi tendon organ
Proprioceptors which are activated when there are high levels of tension in a muscle.
They can initiate autogenic inhibition, which is a sudden relaxation of a muscle. This can
override the stretch reflex in PNF stretching.
Define motor units
A motor neuron and its muscle fibres.
Define muscle spindles
Proprioceptors which detect how far or fast a muscle is stretching.
Define PNF
An advanced stretching technique. Considered to be one of the most effective methods for
increasing range of motion at a joint.
Define spatial summation
The addition of impulses received at the same time, but at different location on the neuron. If,
when added together, the impulses are large enough an action potential will be released.
Define tetanic contraction
A smooth sustained muscle contraction. Not a muscle twitch.
Define wave summation
Repeated nerve impulse which does not allow the muscle fibres time to fully relax. This results
in a tetanic contraction.
Define abduction
The movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
Define adduction
The movement of a limb towards the midline of the body.
Define agonist
The muscle responsible for the movement which is occurring.
Define antagonist
The muscle working in opposition to the agonist to help produce a smooth movement.
Define articulating bones
Where two or more bones meet to allow movement at a joint.
Define longitudinal axis
- Longitudinal axis (through the top of the head down and out the bottom of the feet)
Define dorsi flexion
Decreasing the angle at the ankle joint.
Defin extension
Increasing the angle at a joint.
Define flexion
Decreasing the angle at a joint.
Define horizontal abduction
Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body while held parallel to the ground.
Define horizontal adduction
Movement of a limb towards the midline of the body while held parallel to the ground.
Define hyperextension
Increasing the angle at a joint beyond 180 degrees.
Define isometric contraction
The muscle contracts but no movement occurs.
Define plantar flexion
Increasing the angle at the ankle.
Define beta oxidation
Beta oxidation: Stored fat is broken down into fatty acids before being converted into
acetyl-coenzyme A
Define Krebs Cycle
Oxidation of acetyl-coenzyme-A/citric acid. This resynthesises 2 ATP
and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.
Define electron transport chain
Transfer of electrons down a carrier chain/hydrogen is oxidised.
Resynthesises 34 ATP and produces water as a waste produce.
Define altitude training
Training at altitude where there is less oxygen. The body adapts by making more EPO which
results in more red blood cells to carry oxygen. These additional red blood cells are an
advantage for endurance athletes returning to sea level to compete.
Define EPOC
Increased rate of oxygen intake following activity, intended to pay back the oxygen deficit.
Define fast component of EPOC
Oxygen is used for the resynthesis of ATP and PC, and the resaturation of myoglobin
Define slow component of EPOC
Lactic acid is removed via excretion and conversion back to blood
glucose via the Cori cycle in the liver.
Define HIIT training
Alternating periods of short high intense anaerobic exercise with less intense, aerobic, recovery
periods.D
Defin indirect calorimetry
A technique that provides an estimation of energy expenditure from the amount of carbon
dioxide produced and oxygen consumed during rest and steady-state exercise.
Define lactate sampling
A tiny blood sample is taken to be analysed by a device. This measures how much lactate is
present in the blood.
Define lactate threshold
The point at which lactic acid accumulates quickly in the blood.
Define OBLA
The point at which lactic acid exceeds 4mmols per litre in the blood.
Define oxygen deficit
The difference between the oxygen required during exercise and the oxygen supplied and
utilised. Occurs at the onset of exercise.
Define plyometrics
Anaerobic training method based on the concept that muscles contract with more force
following an eccentric contraction. Movements such as hopping, bounding, depth jumps are
used.
Define respiratory exchange ratio
The ratio of carbon dioxide produced to the oxygen consumed. A ratio nearer 0.7 suggests the
body is using fats as its primary fuel, while 1.0 would indicate carbohydrates.
Define VO2 Max
The maximum amount of oxygen that can be taken in, transported, and used by the body per
minute. Measured in millilitres for each kilogram body weight each minute (ml/kg/min).
