Bio - The Heart Flashcards
What is the purpose of the circulatory system?
To carry food and oxygen to every cell in the body
Which ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood through the heart?
Right (on the left)
What are the walls of the heart made up of?
Muscle tissue
What is the purpose of the heart valves
To make sure blood flows in the right direction
How many chambers are there in the heart
Four
What are pacemaker cells
Cells which send out small electrical signals to the heart keeping it at an even pace - artificial pacemakers also exist
What are arteries
Blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart - high pressure so thick walls
What are capillaries
Tiny blood vessels involved in the exchange of materials
What are veins
Blood vessels carrying blood to the heart - lower pressure so thinner walls
What is the centre hollow part of a blood vessel called?
The lumen
What is the purpose of the red blood cell
To carry oxygen through the blood
Why are red blood cells shaped as a concave disc
To give them a large surface area for absorbing oxygen
Why are red blood cells red
They have a red pigment called haemoglobin
What is the purpose of white blood cells
To defend against infection
What is the purpose of platelets
To make the blood clot at a wound
What is the purpose of plasma
To carry everything in the blood
What are stents
Tubes inserted into arteries to keep them open
What is coronary heart disease
Where arteries are blocked by layers of fatty material
What could be the results of heart disease if left untreated
A heart attack as there is a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle
What are the advantages to stents
They are effective for a long time and the recover time is quick
What are some disadvantages to stents
Theres a risk of complications and a risk of infection
What are statins
Drugs that can reduce the amount of cholesterol which would otherwise lead to heart disease
What are some advantages to statins
They reduce the risk of strokes, heart disease and heart attacks
What are some disadvantages to statins
They’re a long term drug which must be taken regularly and they can cause negative side effects
