Animal transport Flashcards
What is the aorta?
The artery that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
What is an artery, how is the structure?
A type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the tissues, under high pressure. The walls of the arteries contain thick layers of smooth muscle and elastic fibres
Define Atrioventricular (AV) valves. What function do they have?
The valves found between the atria and the ventricles. They prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria. There are two types of valves mitral ( left) triscupid (right)
What does blood contain?
A tissue containing red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
What is blood clotting
A defence mechanism that prevents excessive blood loss and entry of harmful microorganisms. It involves platelets and the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin to form a mesh over the wound.
What are capillaries
Thin, narrow blood vessels that connect the arteries and veins. They are the site of exchange of substances between blood and the tissues
Define circulatory system
The transport system in mammals consisting of a pump, blood vessels and valves
What are coronary arteries
The arteries that supply the heart muscle with nutrients and oxygen
Coronary heart disease
A disease caused by the build up of fatty deposits inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow to the heart tissue
What are the causes of coronary heart disease?
A diet high in saturated fats, lack of exercice, smoking, age, genetic predisposition and gender
What is a double circulatory system
a circulatory system found in mammals in which the blood flows through the heart twice in two circuits. Blood is pumped from the heart to the lungs before returning to the heart. It is then pumped around the body, after which it returns to the heart again.
What is an electrocardiogram (ECG)?
A technique used to measure the spread of electrical acitivity through the heart by measuring tiny changes in the skin’s electrical conductivity. This produces a trace which is used to detect abnormalities in the rhythm.
Lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies specific to a particular antigen
Phagocyte
A type of white blood cell that engulf pathogens and digests them in a process known as phagocytosis
Plasma
The main component of the blood that carries red blood cells. It is a yellow liquid containing blood cells, soluble nutrients, ions, carbon dioxide and hormones
Pulmonary arteries
The arteries that carry deoxygenated blood away from the heart
Pulmonary veins
The veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart
Pulse rate
The number of pulses felt in the artery (eg. radial artery) per minute
What is a red blood cell?
A type of blood cell that is anucleate and biconcave. It contains haemoglobin which allows the transport of oxygen and CO2 to and from tissues
Renal arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys
Renal veins
deoxygenated blood leaves the kidneys through the renal vein, moves up the inferior vena cava, and returns to the heart.
Septum
The wall of muscle separating the left side from the right side of the heart. It prevents oxygenated and deoxygenated blood from mixing
Single circulatory system
A circulatory system in which the blood travels one circuit. Blood flows through the heart and is pumped around the body before returning to the heart. It is found in fish
Valves
Structures in heart that prevent backflow of blood
