Cardiovascular System- Components of blood Flashcards
Please complete the following:
Blood vessels transport blood to the body?s tissue and organs.
Arteries always ?
Veins transport ?
Capillaries are the smallest ?
Arteries always transport blood away from the heart.
Veins transport blood towards the heart.
Capillaries are the smallest of the blood vessels found around the body?s tissues. This is where gaseous exchange takes place.
Identify the 3 layers of arteries and veins
Tunica externa ? the outermost layer made of connective tissue.
Tunica media ? the middle layer made of elastic fibres. This is bigger in arteries than it is in veins.
Tunica intima ? the innermost layer made of a single layer of endothelium. (single layer of cells)
Identify 3 characteristics for an artery
Always carry blood away from the heart.
They have thick muscular walls.
The thick muscular walls help to carry blood at higher pressures.
They do not have valves
They have a small diameter
Arteries have elasticity.
Arteries have contractility.
Identify 3 characteristics for a vein?
Veins facilitate venous return
They return blood towards the heart
They have thin walls
They have a large diameter
They carry blood at a lower pressure
They have valves to prevent backflow of blood
Identify 3 characteristics for a capillary?
Capillaries connect the arterioles and the venules.
They are the smallest of all blood vessels and only one cell thick.
Capillaries are where gaseous exchange takes place
What are arterioles responsible for?
Arterioles are most responsible for controlling blood distribution. Arterioles enable blood to pass to the capillary and they are able to constrict or dilate to control blood flow to certain areas.
What is the main function of red blood cells and what do they contain
Lastly why are they biconcave is shape?
Their main function is to carry oxygen to all living tissue (muscles).
A red blood cell contains a protein called haemoglobin. This gives the blood its red colour.
Red blood cells are biconcave in shape which gives them a large surface area
State the responsibility of plasma and it?s 3 functions?
Plasma has a responsibility for transportation. It helps transport:
Nutrients CO2 RBCs WBCs hormones & protein.
Plasma also helps maintain blood pressure and homeostasis (37).
Plasma balances electrolytes.
Plasma maintains blood volume.
Identify the responsibility of white blood cells
To fight infection
Identify the function of platelets?
They clot blood to prevent blood loss.
They are disc shaped cell fragments that are produced in the bone marrow.
