Cardiovascular system Flashcards
Main functions of the Respiratory system
Transport air in and out of the lungs, Protect against inhaled particles, Exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, Supplies oxygen to the bloodstream, Removes carbon dioxide (waste product), Enables breathing for energy production, Facilitates speech and the sense of smell.
Breathing process
- Air enters through the nose or mouth: Nose filters, humidifies, and removes foreign particles using tiny hairs (cilia).
- Air passes through the pharynx and enters the trachea Epiglottis: Allows airflow when breathing but folds down during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea.
- Air moves through the trachea into the bronchi: Trachea splits into two bronchi, leading to the lungs. Air then travels into smaller bronchioles and finally reaches the alveoli.
- Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli: Oxygen enters the alveolar sacs, where capillaries absorb oxygen enters the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide is expelled from the body.
Role of the diaphragm
- Contracts during inhalation to expand the lungs.
- Relaxes during exhalation to push air out.
- Breathing is automatic and controlled by the respiratory system.
Nasal cavity, pharynx and epiglottis function
Warms, moistens, and filters incoming air using cilia.
Passage for both air (to the trachea) and food (to the esophagus).
Prevents food from entering the airway during swallowing.
Larynx, trachea and bronchi function
Produces sound; located at the top of the trachea.
12cm tube kept open by cartilage rings; lined with cilia to remove foreign particles.
Branch from the trachea into the left and right lungs.
Bronchioles, lungs, alveoli function
Smaller airways that lead air deeper into the lungs.
Contain bronchioles and alveoli; expand and contract for breathing.
Tiny air sacs where oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.
Effect of exercise on the respiratory system
- Increased oxygen demand → faster and deeper breathing.
- Greater gas exchange efficiency to supply muscles with oxygen.
- Strengthens respiratory muscles like the diaphragm and intercostal muscles
Inspiration
(‘breathing in’): air movement from the atmosphere into the lungs. During the process the diaphragm contracts and flattens as the external intercostal muscles lift the ribs outwards and upwards. This movement increases the volume of the chest cavity and pulls the walls of the lungs outwards which in turn decreases the air pressure within the lungs creating a vacuum that causes air to rush into the lungs.
Expiration
(‘breathing out’): air movement from the lungs to the atmosphere. During the process the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward, intercostal muscles allow ribs and other structures to return to resting position. The volume of chest cavity compresses and decreases increases air pressure inside the lungs forcing air out to achieve equilibrium.
Influence of air pressure in breathing
Influence of air pressure in breathing: Air wants to travel from high pressure to low pressure to create equilibrium. When diaphragm pulls down it sucks the air down (high pressure to low pressure) and when it relaxes, they go from high pressure to low pressure.
Ventilation rate
the number of times we breath in and out: physical change in exercise
* Normal conditions: approx. 12 to 18 breaths per minute
- This rate can increase with physical activity: low exercise = low VR, medium exercise = moderate VR, vigorous exercise = high VR
- It also changes w age higher in babies and young children
Circulatory system and its role
The circulatory system is a network of the heart, arteries, veins, and blood that transports oxygen and nutrients while removing waste.
Role: is to deliver oxygenated blood to muscles and organs and return deoxygenated blood to the lungs for re-oxygenation. Regulate body temperature. Protects us from blood loss and infections.
Blood and its functions
Blood: complex fluid circulated by the pumping action of the heart that provides organs, tissues and cells with everything they need to survive, function and thrive.
Functions: transport oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, remove carbon dioxide and wastes, protect body via the immune system and by clotting to prevent blood loss, regulate the body’s temp and the fluid content of the body’s tissues.
4 main components = plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Red blood cells:
most important role in relation to movement responsible for carrying oxygen to working muscles and carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled. Contain a protein haemoglobin (gives them red appearance): oxygen—carrying component of the blood. Carries it from the lungs to the cells and working muscles so that movement can occur.
Plasma
the fluid that carries blood cell, nutrients, hormones and waste products
Platelets
fragments of cells that form clots to stop bleeding
white blood cells
detect and fight foreign substances in the body
Blood vessels
Blood vessels: network of tubes that transport blood around the body. 3 types: arteries, veins and capillaries
Arteries
A blood vessel w thick, strong, elastic muscular walls and narrow lumen (small hole) (sustain pressure). Contain smooth muscle to withstand the pressure of blood forced through them.
ROLE: Transport blood away from the heart under high pressure. Largest artery; aorta. High pressure blood is pushed out of the out of the heart Has no valves
Veins
A blood vessel with thin muscular walls and large lumen (big hole). Carry deoxygenated blood from body tissues back to the right atrium of the heart. Low pressure: blood flows mainly against gravity thus valves- same as heart help push back up prevent back flow. Largest vein=vena cave
Capillaries
Small blood vessels with thin walls consisting of a single layer of flattened cells
ROLE: Exchange oxygen and nutrients for waste thin walls allow oxygen, nutrients and hormones to pass from the blood easily into the cells of body’s tissues. Connect arteries to veins
Heart
muscular pump that contracts rhythmically providing the force to keep the blood circulating throughout the body. Located in the chest cavity between the lungs and above the diaphragm and is protected by the ribs and sternum.
Function: pump blood and transport oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones and nutrients to the lungs and tissues of the body. Made up of connective tissue and cardiac muscle that allow it to contract and create the force required for blood flow
Structure of the heart
- Outer tissue made up of cardia muscle (myocardium)
- 4 chambers: right and left atrium (upper, thin-walled chambers that receive blood coming back to heart and the right and left ventricle (lower, thick-walled chambers that pump blood from the heart to the body.
- System of four one way valves: allow blood to flow in only one direction through the heart: atrium to ventricles (via atrioventricular values) and from the ventricles into the main arteries taking blood away from the heart (via arterial valves)
Process of circulatory system
Deoxygenated blood goes through the Vena Cava into the Right Atrium. From the right atrium, the blood passes through the Tricuspid Valve and enters the Right Ventricle. From here, it goes through the Pulmonary Valve into the Pulmonary Artery and enters the lungs to be reoxygenated. After being reoxygenated, the blood returns to the Left Atrium via the Pulmonary Vein. From here, it passes through the Mitral Valve into the Left Ventricle. It is from here that the oxygenated blood passes through the Aortic Valve and the Aorta to then go throughout the body.
Gaseous exchange
occurs in the alveoli, where oxygen enters the blood, and carbon dioxide is removed.
1. Inhalation: Fresh air, rich in oxygen, enters the lungs and fills the alveoli.
2. Diffusion: Gases move from high to low concentration through the thin alveolar walls and surrounding capillaries. Their large surface area and moist lining facilitate gaseous exchange, enabling oxygen and carbon dioxide to move efficiently:
- Oxygen enters the blood and binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells.
- Carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
3. Alveoli Function:
o Inhalation (Inspiration): Alveoli expand as air fills the lungs.
o Exhalation (Expiration): Alveoli contract as air is expelled.
During Exercise: Increased oxygen demand for working muscles, Faster breathing and heart rate to improve oxygen delivery and remove carbon dioxide, Helps maintain energy levels and reduce fatigue.
Altitude
the height of an object or point in relation to sea level or ground level.
At higher altitudes, the air becomes thinner, reducing available oxygen and making physical activity more challenging. This can lead to acute hypoxia, a condition where oxygen levels in the blood drop, impairing cardiovascular efficiency and causing symptoms ranging from shortness of breath to severe complications.
However, acclimatisation over weeks or months triggers physiological adaptations. The body increases red blood cell production, enhancing oxygen transport, ventilation, and heart function. This adaptation improves endurance and cardiovascular efficiency, which is why athletes often use altitude training to enhance performance at sea level
example of altitude training
e.g. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has developed the Altitude House to support the “live high, train low” principle, enabling athletes to sleep at simulated altitudes while training at sea level. Additionally, the AIS uses a hypobaric chamber to replicate high-altitude conditions, promoting adaptations like increased red blood cell production to enhance endurance and athletic performance.
Haemoglobin levels
Haemoglobin: oxygen carrying component of the blood.
Higher levels of haemoglobin levels increase amount of oxygen that can be absorbed from the lungs and delivered to the muscles and organs at rest and during exercise positive impact on the efficiency of the cardiovascular system benefit endurance athletes: allowing them to exercise at greater intensities for longer periods of time before fatigue = desirable physiological adaptation.
Lower levels of haemoglobin mean the cardiovascular system doesn’t work efficiently because the heart has to work harder to ensure that the muscles and organs get the oxygen they require. During heavy exercise: lower HL = inadequate oxygen being delivered to body’s needs unwell and exhausted.
Iron deficiency (lack of iron in the body) and anaemia (low red blood cell count) reduce the levels of haemoglobin in the blood) negative impact
Vascular disease
Caused by number of conditions that affect the blood vessels of the circulatory system.
Negative impact: blood vessels can’t perform their role effectively insufficient oxygen and nutrient delivery + poor waste removal.
Main cause: atherosclerosis- the build-up of fatty and fibrous plaque on artery walls, which narrows the arteries and hinders blood flow Symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, angina (chest pain), and blood clots. Atherosclerosis reduces the supply of oxygenated blood to muscles, impairing aerobic performance. Regular exercise helps prevent atherosclerosis and lowers the risk of vascular disease
Interrelationship of the cardiovascular system
Cells require oxygen for energy production, where it reacts with glucose to generate movement. The respiratory system (lungs and airways) supplies oxygen, while the circulatory system (heart and blood vessels) delivers oxygenated blood to muscles and organs while returning deoxygenated blood to the lungs for waste removal. Together, they:
Distribute nutrients.
Remove metabolic waste (e.g., CO₂).
Regulate temperature and fluid balance to prevent dehydration.
Example of the cardiovascular system working together
When jogging, the respiratory system diaphragm contracts allowing lungs to expand to increases breathing rate and oxygen intake, while the circulatory system heart rate rises boosting blood flow meaning more oxygen-rich blood is pumped to muscles. This synergy ensures efficient muscle function during exercise.
Pulmonary circulation
Moves blood between the heart and lungs. Transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation and returns oxygenated blood to the heart. PURPOSE: Facilitates External respiration: by exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen in the lungs
Pulmonary circulation working w respiratory system
Pulmonary circulation allows deoxygenated blood to absorb oxygen from the alveoli in the lungs and release carbon dioxide to be exhaled
PC influence on efficient movement
Efficient pulmonary circulation ensures a steady supply of oxygen to the blood, improving endurance and recovery. e.g. a runner relies on efficient oxygen uptake to sustain performance in a long-distance race.
Systemic circulation
Moves blood between the heart and the rest of the body. Delivers oxygenated blood to cells and returns deoxygenated blood to the heart. Facilitates Internal respiration: by delivering oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and removing waste products
How S circulation works w respiratory + influence on movement
Systemic circulation delivers oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and removes carbon dioxide for transport back to the lungs. systemic circulation ensures oxygen and nutrients reach working muscles, preventing fatigue and improving energy production e.g. a sprinter needs rapid oxygen delivery to leg muscles for explosive power during a race
