Cardiovascular System

Question 1

What type of circulatory system do humans have?

Answer 1

Closed system

In a closed circulatory system, blood is contained within the heart and blood vessels at all times.

Question 2

What are the large, muscular vessels that carry blood away from the heart called?

Answer 2

Arteries

Arteries have thick walls that consist of three layers.

Question 3

What are the three layers of artery walls?

Answer 3

• Inner endothelial layer
• Middle layer of smooth muscle
• Outer layer of connective tissue

Question 4

What does blood pressure measure?

Answer 4

The force that blood exerts against the inside walls of a blood vessel

Blood pressure is highest in the arteries that leave the heart.

Question 5

What is systolic pressure?

Answer 5

The pressure of the blood when the ventricles contract

Normal systolic pressure is about 120 mm of Hg for males and 110 mm of Hg for females.

Question 6

What indicates diastolic pressure?

Answer 6

The disappearance of sound during blood pressure measurement

Normal diastolic pressure is about 80 mm of Hg for males and 70 mm of Hg for females.

Question 7

What is hypertension?

Answer 7

High blood pressure

Hypertension is a leading cause of death and puts strain on artery walls.

Question 8

What is the body’s largest artery?

Answer 8

Aorta

Blood from the left ventricle is forced into the aorta.

Question 9

What are the smaller arteries that branch from the aorta called?

Answer 9

Arterioles

Arterioles further divide into capillaries.

Question 10

What are capillaries?

Answer 10

Tiny blood vessels that facilitate the exchange of substances

Capillaries connect arterioles to veins.