Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology > Ch26: The Heart And Blood Vessels > Flashcards

Ch26: The Heart And Blood Vessels Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Do small organisms have circulatory systems?
Why do we need a circulatory system?

A

-Small organisms (e.g. amoeba) have no circulatory systems, and use diffusion to transport nutrients instead

-Larger organisms need circulatory systems to supply cells with materials they require

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 2 types of circulation? Explain them

A

-Open blood system: heart pumps blood into open ended blood vessels, e.g. crabs, snails

-Closed circulatory system: blood remains in a continuous system of blood vessels, e.g. humans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the advantages of a closed system?

A

-Blood can be pumped around the body faster, which allows nutrients and oxygen to reach cells faster causing the animal to be more active

-Allows blood flow to different organs to be increased or decreased, e.g. more blood can be supplied to leg muscles when running

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the composition of the human circulatory system?

A

-Blood
-Heart
-Blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Explain arteries

A

-Carry blood away from the heart
-Carry blood under high pressure
-Have a thick muscle layer
-Have a narrow lumen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe arterial bleeding

A

-Spurting
-Bright red blood
-Can bleed to death in minutes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Explain veins

A

-Carry blood to the heart
-Carry blood under low pressure
-Have a thinner muscle layer
-Have a wide lumen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe venous bleeeding

A

-Steady flow
-Maroon coloured blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe and explain the layers in the walls of blood vessels

A
  1. Outer layer of tough, inelastic protein (collagen)
    -Prevents the walls from over-expansion
  2. Middle layer of muscle and elastic fibres
    -Allows vessels to expand during exercise or when we are hot
    -Elastic fibres return vessel to shape when muscle relaxes
  3. Inner single layer of cells called endothelium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is blood pressure?

A

The force of the blood exerts against the wall of the blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Explain blood pressure in arteries

A

-Blood pressure is highest in arteries when the heart contracts

-This pressure causes the artery to expand slightly and is detected as a pulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Explain blood pressure in veins

A

-Blood pressure in veins is low
-Blood flow is slow
-When skeletal muscles contract, they squeeze on the veins to push the blood along
-Valves prevent backflow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Name 3 smaller blood vessels

A

-Arterioles: connect arteries and capillaries

-Venules: connect capillaries and veins

-Capillaries: tiny vessels that link arteries and veins, made of a single layer of endothelial cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where is the heart located?

A

Between the 2 lungs, slightly to the left

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the heart made of?

A

-Made of cardiac muscle, surrounded by a double membrane called the pericardium

-Pericardial fluid between the membranes reduces friction during heartbeat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What type of muscle is cardiac muscle

A

Cardiac muscle is involuntary muscle, that is slow to fatigue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name the parts of the heart

A

-Pulmonary artery
-Pacemaker
-Right atrium
-Vena cava
-Tricuspid valve
-Right ventricle\
-Pericardium
-septum
-Semilunar valves
-Cardiac muscle
-Aorta
-Pulmonary vein
-Left atrium
-Bicuspid valve
-Left ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the structure of the atria

A

Atria have thin walls as they only pump blood a short distance to the ventricles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Where does each ventricle pump blood to?\

A

-Right ventricle to lungs
-Left ventricle to head and body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the structure of ventricles

A

Wall of left ventricle is thicker as blood travels further from left ventricle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What separates the atria and ventricles?

A

-Separated b valves which are held in place by tendons (chordae tendineae)

22
Q

Describe the overall function and individual function of valves

A

-Overall: prevent backflow in the heart

-Semi-lunar: prevent backflow into heart
-Tricuspid: prevent backflow into right atrium
-Bicuspid: prevent backflow into left atrium

23
Q

Describe the flow of deoxygenated blood in the heart

A

-Enters through the vena cava into the right atrium
-Then moves into the right ventricle
-Before leaving through the pulmonary artery

24
Q

Describe the flow of oxygenated blood in the heart

A

-Enters through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium
-Then moves into the left ventricle
-Before leaving through the aorta

25
Q

What are the two parts of the double circulation circuit? Where do they pump blood?

A

-Pulmonary circuit: to the lungs and back to the heart
-Systemic circuit: to the head and body and back to the heart

26
Q

Which part of the double circulation circuit is longer?

A

Systemic circuit is longer so the walls of the left ventricle are thicker

27
Q

What are the advantages of double circulation?

A

-Allows separation of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood

-Ensures blood pressure is high enough to reach all parts of the body

28
Q

What is the portal system?

A

A blood pathway that begins and ends in capillaries

29
Q

What does the hepatic portal vein connect?

A

The stomach and the intestines to the liver

30
Q

Where do the coronary arteries branch from?

A

Branch from the aorta just above the semi-lunar valves

31
Q

What do the coronary arteries do?

A

-Supply heart with blood
-Drains blood from heart muscle
-Return blood directly to the right atrium

32
Q

What does blockage of coronary arteries cause?

A

-Chest pain called angina and sometimes heart attack

33
Q

What is pulse?

A

THe alternate expansion and contraction of arteries

34
Q

What causes a pulse?

A

When the left ventricle contracts a wave of expansion, followed by contraction by the elastic walls, passes along all the arteries

35
Q

Where can pulse be best felt?

A

-Wrist (radial pulse)
-Neck (carotid pulse)

36
Q

What is the average adult pulse, and the normal range?

A

-Average adult pulse is 72bpm
-Normal range 60-100bpm

37
Q

What is blood pressure?

A

The force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels (mainly arteries)

38
Q

How does blood pressure change?

A

-As blood passes from the aorta to capillaries and veins, the pressure drops

39
Q

How is blood pressure measured?

A

By recording the pressure required to stop the blood flow in the major artery of the upper arm

-the higher value records the pressure as a pulse passes through the artery (systolic pressure)
-The lower value records the pressure in between pulses (diastolic pressure)

40
Q

What causes high blood pressure?

A

Blockages in blood vessels

41
Q

What is a diastole?

A

When the heart chambers relax

42
Q

What is a systole?

A

When the heart chambers contract

43
Q

How does smoking effect the circulatory system?

A

-Nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure, which increases workload on the heart

-Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen carried by the blood, which reduces energy levels

-Other chemicals increase the likelihood of blood clots, lung cancer, bronchitis etc.

44
Q

How does diet effect the circulatory system?

A

-Fats increase cholesterol levels which can cause blockages in blood vessels and lead to heart attacks and strokes

-High salt intake causes high blood pressure

-Being overweight contributes to high blood pressure and heart attacks

45
Q

How does exercise effect the circulatory system?

A

-ENlarges and strengthens heart
-Improves overall circulation and reduces body weight
-Aerobic exercises increases the amount of oxygen we transport

46
Q

Pacemaker
1. Function
2. Location
3. How it works

A
  1. Controls heartbeat
  2. Right atrium
  3. The pacemaker sends a signal to the atria, which contracts and further causes the ventricles to contract
    The brain can cause the pacemaker to speed up or slow down
47
Q

Explain a detailed description of heartbeat control

A
  1. The pacemaker (SA Node) signals to the atria to contract
  2. THe signal from the SA node stimulates the AV node (located further down the right atrium)
  3. AV node sends a signal down the septum
  4. The signal passes out the walls of the ventricles, causing them to contract
48
Q

What influences heart rate?

A

-Exercise, temperature and emotion increase heartrate

-Relaxation, sleep and alcohol decrease heart rate

49
Q

What are the 3 stages of heartbeat?

A
  1. Blood enters the heart
  2. Blood is pumped from atria to ventricles
  3. Blood leave the heart
50
Q

Explain the 1st stage of a heartbeat

A

-Atria and ventricles are relaxed
-Blood enters atria
-All valves are closed

51
Q

Explain the 2nd stage of a heartbeat

A

-Electrical impulses from pacemaker causes atria to contract

-Blood is pumped into ventricles

-Bicuspid and tricuspid valves open

-Vena cava and pulmonary veins close to stop blood from entering atria

-Semilunar valves remain closed

52
Q

Explain the 3rd stage of a heartbeat

A

-Atria relax
-Impulses from AV node contract ventricles
-Blood is forced out of the heart into the pulmonary artery and aorta
-The semi-lunar valves open
-The pressure closes the bicuspid and tricuspid valves
-Ventricles relax
-Semi-lunar valves close
-Vena cava and pulmonary veins open and the cycle repeats

Biology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions