circulatory system Flashcards
What is the circulatory system?
A system of blood vessels with a pump and valves to ensure one-way flow of blood.
What type of circulatory system do fish have?
A two-chambered heart and a single circulation.
What type of circulatory system do mammals have?
A four-chambered heart and a double circulation.
What does the right side of the mammalian heart do?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs.
What does the left side of the mammalian heart do?
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the body.
What is the function of the septum in the heart?
Separates the two sides of the heart.
What are coronary arteries responsible for?
Supplying blood to the heart muscle.
How is heart activity monitored?
Using an ECG, measuring pulse rate, or listening to valve sounds with a stethoscope.
What is the unit for measuring heart rate?
Beats per minute (bpm).
True or False: Blood is pumped towards the heart in arteries.
False.
What happens to heart rate during exercise?
It increases.
What is angina?
Severe chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to cardiac muscle cells.
What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?
A condition caused by partial or complete blockage of coronary arteries.
Fill in the blank: The buildup of _______ in coronary arteries can lead to CHD.
Plaque.
What are the risk factors for developing coronary heart disease?
Diet, exercise, smoking.
What is one way to reduce the risk of developing coronary heart disease?
Quit smoking.
What effect does regular exercise have on coronary heart disease risk?
It decreases the risk.
What is the role of blood vessels in the circulatory system?
Transport blood throughout the body.
What is the importance of double circulation in mammals?
It allows blood to be pumped at higher pressure, supplying oxygen and glucose more efficiently.
What is the function of valves in the circulatory system?
Ensure one-way flow of blood.
How does blood pressure change in the capillaries of the lungs?
It loses pressure.
What happens when a coronary artery is completely blocked?
It can lead to a heart attack.
What is the main function of white blood cells?
To fight infections.
What is blood clotting?
The process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured.
Fill in the blank: The heart is made of _______ tissue.
Muscle.
What dietary changes can help reduce cholesterol levels?
Reduce animal fats and eat more fruits and vegetables
This will also help with weight loss if overweight.
What is the effect of regular exercise on health?
Helps with weight loss, decreases blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reduces stress
Regular exercise is critical for overall health.
What is the first step in the heart’s functioning with deoxygenated blood?
Deoxygenated blood flows into the right atrium via the vena cava
What valve does blood pass through from the right atrium to the right ventricle?
Tricuspid (atrioventricular) valve
What happens to the blood in the right ventricle?
The walls contract and push the blood into the pulmonary artery through the semilunar valve
What is the role of the semilunar valve in the heart?
Prevents blood flowing backwards into the heart
Where does the blood travel after being pushed into the pulmonary artery?
To the lungs for gas exchange
How does oxygen-rich blood return to the heart?
Via the pulmonary vein to the left atrium
What valve does the oxygen-rich blood pass through to enter the left ventricle?
Bicuspid (atrioventricular) valve
What is the function of the left ventricle’s thicker muscle walls?
To contract strongly and push blood forcefully into the aorta
What prevents blood from flowing back down into the heart from the aorta?
Semilunar valve
What are the two main types of blood vessels?
Arteries and veins
True or False: Arteries carry deoxygenated blood.
False
Arteries carry oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery.
What is the primary function of veins?
Carry blood at low pressure towards the heart
What unique feature do veins have to prevent backflow?
Valves
What is the function of capillaries?
Carry blood at low pressure within tissues
Fill in the blank: Capillaries have walls that are ______ thick.
one cell
What are the main blood vessels in the body that carry blood away from the heart?
Arteries
Which blood vessel carries blood from the heart to the lungs?
Pulmonary artery
Which blood vessel carries blood from the lungs to the heart?
Pulmonary vein
What are the components of blood?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma
What is the shape of red blood cells?
Concave disc shape with no nucleus
True or False: White blood cells are usually round in shape and have a nucleus.
True
What is the primary function of plasma?
Transport of carbon dioxide, nutrients, urea, mineral ions, hormones, and heat energy
What do red blood cells transport around the body?
Oxygen
How do red blood cells carry oxygen?
In the form of oxyhaemoglobin
What is the role of white blood cells?
Defend the body against infection by pathogens
What is the function of platelets in blood?
Help in blood clotting
Fill in the blank: The narrow vessels that connect arteries to capillaries are called ______.
Arterioles
Fill in the blank: The narrow vessels that connect capillaries to veins are called ______.
Venules
What is the primary function of aerobic respiration?
To produce energy in the presence of oxygen
Aerobic respiration is crucial for energy production in living organisms.
How do red blood cells carry oxygen?
In the form of oxyhaemoglobin
Oxyhaemoglobin is formed when oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
What role do white blood cells play in the immune system?
Defend the body against infection by pathogens
White blood cells are essential for the body’s defense mechanism.
What are the two main types of white blood cells?
Phagocytes and lymphocytes
Each type has a distinct function in the immune response.
What process do phagocytes use to eliminate pathogens?
Phagocytosis
Phagocytosis involves engulfing and digesting pathogens.
What do platelets do?
Help the blood to clot
Platelets are crucial for stopping bleeding and forming scabs.
What is the significance of scab formation?
Seals the wound to prevent blood loss and entry of microorganisms
Scabs protect the underlying tissue during healing.
What is the main function of lymphocytes?
Produce antibodies to destroy pathogenic cells and antitoxins to neutralise toxins
Lymphocytes are key players in the adaptive immune response.
Fill in the blank: Phagocytes have a sensitive cell surface membrane that can detect _______ produced by pathogenic cells.
chemicals
This ability allows phagocytes to locate and respond to infections effectively.
True or False: Phagocytes can be easily recognized under the microscope by their multi-lobed nucleus.
True
The distinct structure of phagocytes aids in their identification in laboratory settings.
What visual characteristic helps identify lymphocytes under a microscope?
Large round nucleus that takes up nearly the whole cell and clear, non-granular cytoplasm
This morphology distinguishes lymphocytes from other blood cells.
What does blood clotting prevent?
Continued/significant blood loss from wounds
Blood clotting is vital for maintaining homeostasis after injury.
What happens to the scab once new skin has grown underneath it?
It remains in place until the new skin has sealed the skin again
This process is part of natural wound healing.
