Circulation Flashcards
Adaptations of Red Blood Cells
Transports oxygen with biconcave disc shape for large surface area to volume ratio
no nucleus for room for haemoglobin which binds to oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin
What side of the heart does oxygenated blood enter?
Left side
What side of the heart does deoxygenated blood enter?
Right side
What type of blood vessel pumps blood towards the heart?
VeIN. IN to the heart
Which blood vessel pumps blood away from the heart?
Artery. Away from the heart.
What are the purpose of valves?
To prevent backflow of blood that is travelling at a low pressure.
Describe the structure of veins
Thin outer wall, thin elastic and muscle tissue.
Blood travels at low pressure.
Contains valves (semi-lunar) to prevent backflow of blood.
Large lumen.
Usually carries deoxygenated blood into the heart.
Which ventricle wall is thicker and why? Left or right?
Left because it needs to pump the blood around the body at a higher pressure and it needs to pump the blood further around the body.
What does the right side of the heart do?
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
What does the left side of the heart do?
Pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
What is the left and right side of the heart separated by?
The septum.
What is the function of the circulatory system?
To transport substances around the body.
Name of valve between right atrium and right ventricle
Tricuspid valve
Name of valve between left atrium and left ventricle
Bicuspid valve
Name of valve between right ventricle and pulmonary artery
Semi-lunar valve
Name of valve between left ventricle and aorta
Semi-lunar valve
What are the names of the artery(s) and vein(s) involving the liver?
Hepatic vein, hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein (leads to stomach and intestines)
What are the names of the artery(s) and vein(s) involving the kidneys?
Renal vein and renal artery
Generally, what type of blood do veins carry and what is the exception?
Deoxygenated blood (they are blue) except the pulmonary vein which carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
Generally what type of blood do arteries carry and what is the exception?
Oxygenated blood (they are red) except the pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
What are phagocytes?
Larger cells with a multi-lobed nucleus that engulf and digest pathogens. A type of white blood cell.
What are lymphocytes
Cells with a very large nucleus that make and release antibodies, which bind to and destroy pathogens.
What are platelets?
Cell fragments that help clot blood and form scabs.
What is plasma?
Straw coloured liquids that transports blood cells and many other substances including:
dissolved nutrients (glucose, amino acids…) dissolved waste products (CO2 and Urea) and hormones, heat energy and proteins.
What are red blood cells?
Small red cells that carry oxygen around the body and contain haemoglobin (oxygen binds to hameoglobin).
How are red blood cells specialised for their job?
No nucleus - more room for haemoglobin so more oxygen can be transported.
Biconcave disc - increases SA:V and decreases distance. Increases diffusion.
Contain haemoglobin - a protein that combines with oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin. Transports oxygen to respiring cells.
Describe the structure of arteries
Thick outer wall
Thick layer of muscle and elastic tissue
Blood flows at a high pressure
Small lumen
Usually carries oxygenated blood away from heart.
Describe the structure of capillaries
Walls are once cell thick.
How does the structure of a vein link to its function?
Valves prevent blood flowing backwards.
Blood travels at a low pressure so thick walls aren’t needed.
Layer of muscle and elastic tissue means that wall can contract to keep blood flowing.
How does the structure of an artery link to its function?
Thick outer wall means it can transport blood at a high pressure without bursting.
Thick layer of elastic tissue allows artery to stretch and recoil to keep blood flowing at a high pressure.
Thick layer of muscular tissues means helps to control flow of blood by dilatating and constricting.
Small lumen and thick outer wall means that blood travels at a high pressure to travel all around the body.
How does the structure of a capillary link to its function?
Wall is one cell thick so short distance for diffusion of substances from blood into tissues.
Factors that increase the risk of coronary heart disease
Obesity - increases blood pressure
Smoking - increases blood pressure and risk of fatty deposits forming
High blood pressure - increases risk of fatty deposits forming and damages artery lining
Lack of exercise - High blood pressure
Diet - High consumption of saturated fats leads to fatty deposits as it increases cholesterol.
