All Flashcards
What are the four chambers that the heart is split into
Two upper chambers: right atrium and left atrium
Two lower chambers: right and left ventricles
What is the heart made of
A specialised cardiac muscle that does not tire like other muscles
Aorta
Main artery of the body
Leaves the heart from the left ventricle
Pulmonary artery
Carries the deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
Vena cava
One of the largest veins in the body
Pulmonary vein
Carries oxygenated blood form the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
What are the four major blood vessels entering or leaving the heart
Aorta
Pulmonary artery
Vena cava
Pulmonary vein
What are the four main valves in the heart
Tricuspid
Bicuspid/mitral
Pulmonary
Aortic
Tricuspid valve
First valve that blood encounters as it enters the heart
Allows blood to flow only from the right atrium to the right ventricle
Bicuspid/mitral valve
Allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle
Pulmonary valve
At the opening from the right ventricle and stops blood going back from the pulmonary artery into the heart
Aortic valve
Found at the exit of the left ventricle where the aorta begins
Why is the heart sometimes referred to as a double pump
Because it pumps blood through two separate circulatory systems
What two circulatory systems does the heart pump blood through
Pulmonary
Systemic
Pulmonary circulatory system
The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood form the body and pumps it to the lungs
Systemic circulatory system
The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body
How does the blood flow through the heart
Blood from lungs (oxygenated) returns to the heart via the pulmonary vein and enters the left atrium
Blood passes through the bicuspid/mitral valve into the left ventricle
Out of the aorta and carries the oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
Deoxygenated blood returns form the body to the right atrium via the superior and inferior vena cava
Squeezed through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle
Through the pulmonary artery which carries the deoxygenated blood to the lungs
Heart contracts
Systole
Heart relaxes
Diastole
What are the 3 stages of the cardiac cycle
Atrial systole
Ventricular systole
Complete cardiac diastole
Atrial systole
Contraction of the right and left atria
Ventricular systole
Contraction of the ventricles
Complete cardiac diastole
Relaxation of the atria and ventricles
The sinoatrial (SA) node
Situated in the upper wall of the right atrium of the heart
Known as the ‘pacemaker’ responsible for setting the rhythm of the heart
Ensures both atria contract simultaneously
Atrioventricular (AV) node
Situated at the bottom of the right atrium of the heart
Responsible for delaying the electrical impulses it receives from the SA node
The delay allows time for blood to empty out of the atria into the ventricles
SA node
Sinoatrial
AV node
Atrioventricular
Purkinje fibres (purkyne)
Very fine specialised cardiac muscle fibres that rapidly transmit impulses from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles
What sequence does the blood move around the body (5)
Heart -> arteries -> capillaries -> veins -> heart
What do arteries do (2)
Carry blood away from the heart
Their walls consist of several layers of thick, elastic fibres and muscle
What do veins do (3)
Have large internal diameters and thinner walls than arteries
The blood flowing through them is not under pressure and so veins have valves through their length
They carry deoxygenated blood back to the lungs
What do capillaries do (2)
The smallest blood vessels and have walls made of a single layer of cells
The thin walls of capillaries allow the exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste between blood and the surrounding tissues
Where do arteries carry the blood
Away from the heart
Where do veins carry blood
Carry deoxygenated blood back to the lungs
What do capillaries carry (5)
Exchange of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste between blood and the surrounding tissues
What is fibrinogen
Has a role in blood coagulation and clotting
What is the ideal blood pressure
Between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg
What is high blood pressure
Hypertension
What is high blood pressure considered to be as blood pressure
140/90 mmHg or higher
What are the symptoms of hypertension
There are rarely and noticeable symptoms
What is the systolic pressure (higher number)
The force at which your heart pumps blood around your body
What is diastolic pressure (lower number)
The resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels
What are the systolic and diastolic measured in
Millimetres of mercury (mmHg)
High blood pressure damages the blood vessels
What are the factors that can increase the risk of high blood pressure
Age Family history High salt intake Lack of exercise Being overweight or obese Smoking and regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol
What are the conditions that can cause high blood pressure
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Hormone problems such as an under - or overactive thyroid
What can you do to impact on your lifestyle to prevent hypertension (6)
Changes in diet - a balanced diet with low fat and salt, regular exercise, reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking, get enough sleep, reduce stress
What can you do with medication to help with hypertension
Doctors may recommend taking one or more medicines to keep blood pressure under control. Usually need to be taken once a day
What are common blood pressure medications (2)
ACE inhibitors - which lower blood pressure
Beta blockers - which slow the heart rate
What is the impact of hypertension
Can lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease, strokes and kidney disease
What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease (2)
Angina Heart attack (myocardial infraction)
What are the symptoms of angina (5)
Breathlessness Nausea Dizziness Chest pain Tightness in the chest that may spread to arms, neck and jaw
What are the symptoms of heart attack (myocardial infraction) (5)
Light headedness Feeling weak Sweating Shortness of breath Chest pain that can radiate form the chest to the jaw, neck, arms and back
What are the biological explanations of coronary heart disease (2)
Walls of the arteries become blocked with fatty deposits, called atherosclerosis
When arteries become completely blocked it can cause a heart attack, which can permanently damage the heart muscle and if not treated straight away can be fatal
What causes coronary heart disease (5)
Caused by a build up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart
Lifestyle factors - smoking, lack of regular exercise, obesity, high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, diabetes
Age, genes and gender
What can blood tests do
Check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and proteins in the blood
What does an electrocardiogram measure for a coronary heart disease
Measures the electrical activity of the heart and can show any damage to the heart muscles or signs of coronary heart disease
What medication can be given for coronary heart disease (4)
Nitrates relax the coronary arteries allowing more blood to reach the heart
Cholesterol lowering medicines such as statins
Antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin making the blood less likely to clot
ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure
What surgical procedures can by done for coronary heart disease (4)
Angioplasty passes a tiny deflated balloon into a narrow artery and then inflates it
Coronary heart bypass graft which is to bypass the narrow coronary arteries to improve flow of blood to the heart
Can’t be cured but treatment can help manage the symptoms
PIES daily, emotional and social impacts
What is the larynx
Connects the back of the nose and the trachea, forming an air passage to the lungs
What is the trachea
Also known as the windpipe
It starts at the back of the throat (pharynx) and divides into two bronchi
What is the bronchi
The division of the trachea, each leading into one of the lungs where they continue to divide to form smaller bronchioles
What are bronchioles
Where they are in the lungs and the bronchi divides into smaller parts to form the bronchioles
Which two are tubes that have rings of cartilage
Trachea
Bronchi
What are the rings of cartilages for
To stop them collapsing so that an open passage for air is maintained
What are the rings of the cartilage like
‘C’ shaped in the trachea with the gap at the back to allow food to travel down the oesophagus
What is the alveoli
At the end of the tiniest bronchioles are the microscopic alveoli
Sacs found in clusters
What is an alveolus
A single sac
Surrounded by a capillary network where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged through the alveolar membrane
About 300 million alveoli in your lungs
What is the diaphragm
A muscle anchored to the lower ribs that separates the chest from the abdomen
What are the intercostal muscles
These are muscles found between the ribs
What are the pleural membranes
They cover the outside of the lungs and line the inside of the chest wall
What is the role of the pleural membranes
Consist of two layers of thin membrane
Moist and slippery
Thin film of liquid between the two layers, this lubricates the surface so that they will slide over each other allowing the lungs to move easily within the chest cavity
This means that they move with the chest wall as breathing occurs
What is the function of the respiratory system
To deliver oxygen into the body by breathing in (inspiration) and to remove the waste carbon dioxide gas by breathing out (expiration)
What is breathing in called
Inspiration
What is breathing out called
Expiration
What does the intercostal muscle do when breathing in
It pulls the rib cage upwards and outwards and the diaphragm flattery’s inwards
The result of these two movements is an increase in volume and a decrease in pressure, which forces air into the lungs so that they inflate
What happens to the intercostal muscle when breathing out
The reverse happens the diaphragm lifts back into a dome shape and the intercostal muscles pull the rib cage inwards and downwards
These two movements force carbon dioxide out of the lungs and they deflate
What is gaseous exchange
A process that involves the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between capillaries and alveoli
What takes place in the alveoli
The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
What are the walls of the alveoli like
They are very thin (one cell thick)
Each alveoli is surrounded by capillaries through which gases are exchanged
What is the structure of the alveoli like
Like bunches of grapes which increases their surface area to allow the maximum crossover or diffusion of the two gasses back and forth to make the process very efficient
What does diffusion allow in the alveoli
Allows the oxygen to move out of the alveoli to the capillaries and into the bloodstream and the carbon dioxide to move out of the capillaries into the alveoli and to the lungs to be exhaled
Diffusion gradients
Diffusion refers to the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Particles diffuse down a concentration gradient from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
What type of concentration do capillaries have
A lower concentration of oxygen than the alveoli
This results in diffusion of oxygen from an area of higher concentration (the alveoli) to an area of lower concentration in the red blood cells (in capillaries)
The erythrocytes and plasma
The structure and role of erythrocytes in transporting oxygen via haemoglobin to the body tissues and the role of plasma in transporting carbon dioxide that is produced by respiration to the lungs
What does ATP stand for
Adenosine triphosphate
What is ATP
A high energy molecule found in every cell
It’s job is to store and supply the cell with energy it needs it is sometimes called the energy currency of the body
What is cellular respiration
A complex set of chemical reactions and processes that take place in the mitochondria to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP and then release waste product
What are the two types of respiration that take place inside cells to provide energy
Aerobic - uses oxygen
Anaerobic - does not need oxygen
What is aerobic respiration
Oxygen and glucose are required
Produces waste carbon dioxide and water as well as providing energy
What does the aerobic respiration figure look like for glucose (sugar)
| Glucose + oxygen —> carbon dioxide + water
32 ATP
What is anaerobic respiration
Takes place if oxygen is not available but provides less energy
What does the anaerobic respiration figure of glucose (sugar) look like
2ATP
Glucose —> pyruvate —> lactate
| when oxygen |
| becomes available|
What is the anaerobic respiration process called and where does it take place
Glycolysis is the process that takes place in the cell cytoplasm
What is pyruvate
A molecule that is involved in energy generation, it can be converted to lactate under anaerobic conditions
What does pyruvic acid do when oxygen is present
It supplies energy to cells through the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) when oxygen is Preston
What does pyruvic acid do when lacking in oxygen
It ferments to produce lactic acid which needs to be oxidised later to carbon dioxide and water to prevent it building up
If oxygen doesn’t become available cells die because lactate is toxic
When is anaerobic respiration likely to occur
When oxygen is in short supply, such as when exercising because muscle cells need a lot of energy
What are the symptoms and effects of asthma (2)
Recurring episodes of breathlessness, tightness of the chest and wheezing
Asthma ‘attacks’ - episodes of wheezing that require the use of an inhaler to open the airway
What are the biological explanations of asthma (2)
Inflammation in bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs, causing the bronchi to be more sensitive than normal
Contact with allergens, something that irritates the lungs know as a trigger making the airways become narrow, the muscles around them tighten and there is an increase in the production of sticky mucus (phlegm)
What are the causes of asthma (4)
Exact cause not know but likely to be a combination
May be genetic
Environmental and social factors - dust, air pollution, chemicals, exposure to smoking and being born prematurely
Modern hygiene standards - too hygienic - don’t build up resistance
What is emphysema also known as
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
COAD (chronic obstructive airways disease)
What are the symptoms and effects of emphysema (5)
Shortness of breath, wheezing Yellow sputum Persistent cough that never seems to go away Frequent chest infections Symptoms get worse over time
What is the biological explanation of emphysema (2)
Airways of the lungs become inflamed and narrowed as the alveoli get permanently damaged it become increasingly difficult to breathe out
Currently no cure but the sooner the condition is diagnosed and appropriate treatment beings the less chance there is of severe lung damage
What are the causes of emphysema (3)
Lifestyle choice of smoking is the main cause
By certain types of fumes, dust and chemical exposure at work
Genetic tendency which is extremely rare
What are the symptoms and effects of cystic fibrosis (3)
Lung problems - recurring chest infection, persistent inflammation of the airways, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
Digestive system - diarrhoea, diabetes and malnutrition because the body struggles to digest and absorb nutrients
May have serious bowel obstruction in the first few days of life which requires an operation to remove the blockage
What are the biological explanations of cystic fibrosis (3)
Present at birth chromosome 7 creates a build up of sticky mucus in the lungs and digestive system
There is no cure over the years the lung become increasingly damaged and may eventually stop working properly, average life expectancy is reduced
They lead fulfilling lives with successful careers, family life and leisure activities
What is the cause of cystic fibrosis
Both parents must have a copy of the faulty (mutated) gene. If only one copy is present then the child will be a carrier but will not have the condition themselves
What is spirometry
A test carried out to measure the breathing capacity of the lungs
Measure the volume of air expired (breathed out) in total and the force of the expiration in the first second
Used to diagnose and monitor asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis
How is a spirometry used
The individual has a clip placed on their nose and has to blow into a mouthpiece having inhaled and then repeat this at least three times
Lasts around 30-90 minutes
What are MRI and CT scans
Can provide high resolution entailed images of the chest and can be repeated over time to monitor changes in the condition
A high resolution CT scan is the most sensitive method of detecting emphysema
What are peak flow meters
They are used to measure the rate of exhalation for asthma, measurements are taken regularly over time and compared with norms to indicate dilation/constriction of airways
What is physiotherapy
Help restore or improve movement, mobility or function in the body
Consists of exercises, manipulation and massage techniques
Or can be for lungs and breathing
Used for a wide variety of conditions including COPD and cystic fibrosis
Massage is used to improve quality of life for those with long term conditions by reducing anxiety levels and improving sleep
What 2 types of inhalers are there
Preventative inhalers (blue) - used regularly to reduce inflammation and sensitivity of airways Reliever inhalers (brown/red) - muscle relaxants for immediate relief of symptoms
What are inhalers for
Particularly used for asthma
May be used with a spacer device, which gets drugs deeper
Nebulisers may be required if constriction is too great as these get drugs deeper into the lungs
What is medication
Antibiotics to treat infections; corticosteroids, steroid treatments to relieve symptoms; anti inflammatory medication reduces swelling and inflammation
What is identification of triggers
If asthma is caused by allergens, treatment may involve tests to identify triggers and then de sensitising injections can be given
What is oxygen therapy (mainly for COPD) (3)
Pulmonary rehabilitation - programme of exercise and education
Ambulatory oxygen therapy - use of portable oxygen when walking or other activity
Long term oxygen therapy - use of oxygen at home from a portable oxygen tank. Taken through a mask or nasal tubes, used for 16 hours a day
What is surgery
To remove damaged section of lung, or lung transplant
Only suitable when symptoms are not controlled by medication
What lifestyle changes can the individual make or have (6)
Give up smoking
Diet - well balanced to promote healthy weight
Move to a one storey house
Avoid pollution and infections/triggers for asthma
Move around with an oxygen cylinder to assist breathing
Emotional and social impacts of not being able to complete daily living tasks
What care needs will individuals encounter (8)
Regular check ups Vaccinations (cystic fibrosis) Dietary supplements Lack of energy and breathless on any activity Install a stair lift Wheelchair Oxygen cylinder Home help for daily living tasks
What does the digestive system do
Is the breakdown and absorption of food and the removal of waste food products from the body
What is the buccal cavity
Where we put food (mouth area), where food is chewed to break it down. Also known as the oral cavity
What are the salivary glands
Produce saliva, which helps moisten food and make it easy to swallow