Cardiovascular System Flashcards
Name the three main functions of the cardiovascular system
Transport
Protection
Thermo regulation/body temperature regulation
Name the three main components of the cardiovascular system
Heart
Blood vessels
Blood
Explain transportation in the cardiovascular system
Using red blood cells/RBCs and blood plasma to transport oxygen and nutrients such as glucose.
The system also helps in the removal of waste before it reaches toxic levels.
The haemoglobin in RBCs bind to the oxygen in hue he lungs and carry it to functioning cells.
Explain protection in the cardiovascular system
White blood cells/WBCs produced in the bone marrow fight off pathogens.
Explain thermo regulation in the cardiovascular system
Shunt valves can be used to redirect blood closer to the body during cold weather.
Blood vessels near the skin can constrict or dilate to radiate off more or less heat.
Describe the parts that make up the heart
Atrium Ventricle Vena cava Pulmonary vein Pulmonary artery Aorta Tricuspid valve Bicuspid valve Semilunar valves Septum
Name the two different circuits of blood flow and describe their routes
Pulmonary circuit:
Carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs where it picks up oxygen and then returns back to the left side of the heart.
Systemic circuit:
Carries oxygenated blood via the aorta, to capillaries around the body where it becomes deoxygenated and returns to the heart via the veins.
Name the three types of blood vessels
Arteries
Capillaries
Veins
Characteristics of an artery
- carries blood away from the the heart
- thick, flexible muscular walls
- small lumen
- high pressure
Characteristics of a capillary
- one cell thick walls
- very low blood pressure
- very small
- where gas exchange takes place/ semi permeable
Characteristics of a vein
- thin walls
- carry blood to the heart
- large lumen
- low pressure
- have valves to prevent back flow
Name and describe the four components of the blood.
Platelets:
Forms clots to stop bleeding
Blood plasma:
The fluid that suspends all the other components of the blood.
Mainly made up of water.
Nutrients dissolve into the plasma to be transported.
RBCs:
Made in bone marrow and transport oxygen by containing haemoglobin.
WBCs:
Part of the immune system that fights off pathogens.
Made in bone marrow
Name the four places you can take a pulse
Temporal- temples
Carotid- neck
Radial- wrist
Femoral- groin
Define heart rate
Number of times your heart beat per minute
Define blood pressure
The force of circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels
