Cardiovascular System Revision

Question 1

Describe the functions of the cardiovascular system.

Answer 1

• Circulate blood to all parts of the body.
• Transport oxygen, water and nutrients to cells.
• Transport waste e.g., carbon dioxide away from cells.
• Maintain correct body temperature.
• Fight disease through white blood cells and antibodies in blood.

Question 2

Functions of each part of the heart.

Answer 2

Right Atrium: receives deoxygenated blood.
Right Ventricle: pumps deoxygenated blood to lungs.
Left Atrium: receives oxygenated blood.
Left Ventricle: pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
Valves: allow blood to travel in only one direction, preventing backflow of blood.
Septum: divides the heart into two pumps: left pump and right pump.

Question 3

Roles of the right and left side of the heart.

Answer 3

Right side receives deoxygenated blood to be sent to the lungs for removal of waste.

Left side received oxygenated blood to be sent to the body.

Question 4

Define Systole.

Answer 4

The heart contracts, forcing blood out of the heart via the ventricles into arteries.

Question 5

Define Diastole

Answer 5

The heart relaxes, filling with blood from veins.

Question 6

Define Heart Rate.

Answer 6

The number of contractions the heart makes per minute.

Question 7

Define Stroke Volume.

Answer 7

The volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle per contraction of the heart.

Question 8

Define Cardiac Output.

Answer 8

The total volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Q = HR x SV (L/min).

Question 9

Characteristics and Functions of Arteries.

Answer 9

Functions:
- Transports oxygenated blood to the body.
Characteristics:
- Has large, thick, elastic walls.

Question 10

Characteristics and Functions of Veins.

Answer 10

Functions:
- Transports deoxygenated blood to the heart.
Characteristics:
- Has thin walls with large diameter.
- Has one-way valves to prevent backflow.

Question 11

Characteristics and Functions of Capillaries.

Answer 11

Functions:
- Site of exchange for nutrients and waste between cells and the cardiovascular system.
Characteristics:
- Small, thin walls allow for diffusion.
- One cell thick.

Question 12

Functions of Blood.

Answer 12

• Transport gas, fuel and minerals around the body.
• Prevent dehydration.
• Thermoregulation.
• Carry cells and antibodies to fight infection.
• Maintain homeostasis through hormone and enzyme regulation.

Question 13

Characteristics and Functions of Red Blood Cells.

Answer 13

Functions:
- Carries oxygen to muscles and transports carbon dioxide away.
Characteristics:
- Makes up 99% of blood cells.
- Larger than platelets.

Question 14

Characteristics and Functions of White Blood Cells.

Answer 14

Functions:
- Fights disease, passing through capillary walls, absorbing and digesting harmful organisms.
Characteristics:
- Makes up 1% of blood cells.
- Larger than red blood cells and platelets.

Question 15

Characteristics and Functions of Platelets.

Answer 15

Functions:
- Causes blood to clot when a blood vessel is damaged.
Characteristics:
- Smaller than red and white blood cells.
- Produced in bone marrow.

Question 16

Characteristics and Functions of Plasma.

Answer 16

Functions:
- Carries blood cells around the body.
- Carries nutrients, oxygen, fats, proteins, salts.
Characteristics:
- Consists of 99% water.
- Clear, yellow fluid.

Question 17

Describe pathway of blood through Systemic Circulatory System.

Answer 17

Transports blood between the heart to the rest of the body:
- Carries oxygenated blood from left ventricle, through the arteries, to the capillaries in body tissues.
- Carries deoxygenated blood from body tissues, through veins, to the right atrium.

Question 18

Describe pathway of blood through Pulmonary Circulatory System.

Answer 18

Transports blood between the heart and the lungs:
- Blood enters the right atrium through the vena cava.
- Right atrium -> right ventricle -> pulmonary artery -> lungs and alveoli.
- Lungs -> pulmonary veins -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> aorta -> body.

Question 19

Name some acute cardiovascular responses to exercise.

Answer 19

• Increased heart rate
• Increased stroke volume
• Increased cardiac output

Question 20

Thermoregulation.

Answer 20

• Maintenance of core body temperature within a narrow range (36-37*C) , to maintain homeostasis.

Question 21

Cardiorespiratory responses to Hypothermia.

Answer 21

• Core body temperature falls below minimum temperature.
  Responses:
• Shivering: muscles shake in small movement s to create heat.
• Vasoconstriction: blood vessels constrict, decreasing blood flow, redirecting blood flow away from skin towards major organs to retain heat.

Question 22

Cardiorespiratory responses to Hyperthermia.

Answer 22

• Core body temperature rises above maximum (38*C).
  Responses:
• Sweating: cools body through heat evaporation.
• Vasodilation: blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow, redirecting flow to skin to aid sweating and evaporation.