Cardiovascular system Flashcards
What causes arrhythmias?
abnormal electrical impulses giving irregular pulse
What two factors influence cardiac output?
Age
body surface area
What is the role of the blood?
Transport - O2 and nutrients Removal of waste - CO2 Coagulation Distribution of drugs pH and temperature regulation
What are the four components in the blood?
Plasma
leukocytes
erythrocytes
platelets/thrombocytes
What is the role of plasma in the blood?
Dissolves substances
Transport medium - glucose, lipids, hormones etc
Contains proteins - maintain oncotic pressure, transport drugs
What is the most abundant plasma protein in the blood?
Albumin
Does albumin bind acid, basic or neutral drugs?
Acidic and neutral drugs
does a1 acidic glycoprotein bind acidic or basic drugs?
basic
The levels of albumin are constant at all ages. True or false?
False - the levels of albumin vary with age
Variation of drug binding is independent of the concentration of alpha-acid glycoprotein. True or false?
False - it depends on the conc
Where are leukocytes produced?
bone marrow
What are the three cell types of leukocytes?
neutrophils -
monocytes/macrophages
lymphocytes
What is the function of neutrophils?
phagocytosis, destruction of bacteria - first responders to infection
What is the function of monocytes/macrophages?
Phagocytosis
What is the function of lymphocytes?
Immune response
What is neutropenia?
A low neutrophil count which is a common side effect of chemotherapy
What is thrombocytopenia?
low number of thrombocytes - can lead to excessive bleeding
What is thrombocytosis?
A high number of thrombocytes - increased formation of blood clots - can lead to myocardial infarction/stroke
What is the function of platelets/thrombocytes?
Blood clotting
What is the function of erythrocytes?
maintenance of blood flow and vascular tonus
role in respiration - O2 and CO2
Which component in the blood contains haemoglobin and carbonic anhydrase?
erythrocytes
carbonic anhydrase in erythrocytes is important in the elimination of _______
CO2
What is the lymphatic system?
a network of lymphnodes, ducts and vessels - produces and transports lymph
What are the functions of the lymphatic system?
produces immune cells - lymphocytes and monocytes
role in the absorption of monoclonal antibodies
return excess fluid to blood circulation
What are HDLs?
carry cholesterol from tissues to liver for metabolism or excretion
What are LDLs?
carry cholesterol to cells where build up can occur e.g. artery walls
What can cause hypercholesterolemia?
Genetic factors
Environmental factors - obesity
Secondary causes - type 2 diabetes
What are the consequences of hypercholesterolemia?
Increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischaemic attack (TIA), peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
How can hypercholesterolemia be treated?
Statins and lifestyle changes (diet, exercise)
What are the roles of the circulatory system?
Allow cells to exchange substances with each other and the environment (O2 and CO2)
Regulation of blood pressure and flow
Produce immune cells - lymphatic system
What are the four determinants of blood pressure?
Cardiac output
expansion/retraction of blood vessels
peripheral resistance
blood volume
Which has a thicker muscular wall and why, arteries or veins?
Arteries because the pressure in them is much higher
All arteries carry oxygenated blood. True or false?
False - the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood
All veins carry blood with low levels of oxygen. True or false?
False - the pulmonary vein carrys oxygen rich blood
What is the role of valves?
Prevent back flow of blood
Which organs are highly perfused?
Kidneys
Liver
Brain
Lungs
Which organs are poorly perfused?
Adipose
Skin
Is blood flow equal to all organs?
No
What is vasoconstriction?
Blood vessels constrict so they have a reduced diameter so more blood is available to other sites
What is vasodilation?
Blood vessels dilate so there is a decrease in blood presssure and vascular resistance
What is the RAAS?
Plays a role in the pathology of cardiovascular disease. Under normal conditions, it is stimulated in response to threats that compromise the stability of blood pressure
What is cardiac output?
The volume of blood pumped by the heart
What does the right side of the heart do?
Collects deoxygenated blood from body and pumps it to the lungs via the right ventricle
What does the left side of the heart do?
Collects oxygenated blood from the lungs into the left atrium to the left ventricle and supplies it to the body via the aorta
How does venous blood (low in O2, high in CO2) move through the heart?
It moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle via the tricuspid valve. It exits to the lungs via the pulmonary artery
How does blood rich in O2 and low in CO2 move through the heart?
Leaves the lungs and enters heart via pulmonary vein. Moves through to left atrium and then left ventrical via the mitral valve. It is then pumped out to body via the aorta
What is the name of the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle?
mitral valve
What is the name of the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle?
tricuspid valve
What is systole?
Contraction
What is diastole?
Relaxation
