Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?
Blood, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), heart
The cardiovascular system is essential for transporting substances throughout the body.
What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
Transport and deliver oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the body; remove waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid; protection against disease and infection; maintain body temperature
These functions are critical for overall health and homeostasis.
What type of circulatory system do humans have?
Closed circulatory system
In a closed circulatory system, blood is always contained within vessels.
What is plasma?
The liquid part of blood that transports dissolved substances such as nutrients, gases, and hormones
Plasma makes up about 55% of total blood volume.
What is the role of platelets in the blood?
Help the blood clot when blood vessels rupture
Platelets are crucial for preventing excessive bleeding.
What do white blood cells (leukocytes) do?
Responsible for the defense system in the body; fight infections and protect against harmful microbes
They are a key component of the immune system.
What is the function of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
Carry oxygen; contain hemoglobin which permits oxygen transport
Hemoglobin gives red blood cells their color and is essential for oxygen delivery.
What do arteries do?
Transport blood away from the heart
Arteries carry oxygenated blood to the body’s tissues, except for the pulmonary artery.
What do veins do?
Transport blood back to the heart
Veins carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.
What is the aorta?
The largest artery in the body, carries oxygenated blood away from the left ventricle to the body
The aorta is critical for systemic circulation.
What is the vena cava?
The largest vein in the body, carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart
There are two main venae cavae: superior and inferior.
What is the pulmonary artery?
Carries deoxygenated blood away from the right ventricle to the lungs
This is part of the pulmonary circulation.
What is the pulmonary vein?
Returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart
This vessel is crucial for reintroducing oxygen-rich blood into the systemic circulation.
What are the two main types of circulation in the cardiovascular system?
Pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation
These two circulatory routes are essential for oxygenating blood and delivering nutrients.
Fill in the blank: Blood always flows in the same ______ as it moves through the heart.
direction
This is important to ensure that oxygenated and deoxygenated blood do not mix.
What prevents blood from flowing backwards in the heart?
Valves
Heart valves are essential for maintaining unidirectional blood flow.
How are heart valves held in place?
Connected to the inner walls of the heart by tough tendons
Tendons prevent valve flaps from turning inside out.
What happens to an organism if the brain is deprived of blood?
It can lose consciousness within just a few seconds
This highlights the critical role of blood flow in brain function.
