D2- Functions of the Cardiovascular system

Question 1

What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 1

• deliver nutrients and oxygen
• removal of waste products (CO & lactate)
• thermoregulation
• fighting infection
• clotting blood

Question 2

Delivery of nutrients and oxygen …

Answer 2

• carbon dioxide and lactate
• carries CO2 back to the lungs for gaseous exchange to occur
• carries other waste products to the liver and kidneys (lactate)
• in exercise more by-products will be produced so it’s essential they are removed
• CO2 will travel around the body in the CS, passing through the heart (in the body) and transported to the lungs where it is removed through gaseous exchange

Question 3

Carbon dioxide is transported in the blood in two ways …

Answer 3

• attaches to haemoglobin creating carbaminohaemoglobin
• dissolves in plasma

Question 4

Thermoregulation …

Answer 4

• process of distribution and redistribution of heat within the body, maintaining a constant temperature
• average human body temp is 37 degrees
• in exercise chemical reactions occurring when creating energy create heat (aerobic and anaerobically)
• to stop the body overheating and causing mutations of cells your CS effectively regulates body temperature

Question 5

Vasodilation …

Answer 5

• blood vessels that have vasodilated near the surface of the skin regulates body temperature
• allows more blood to flow freely through the vessels, heat can be carried to the skins surface
• the relaxation of the muscles in the vessels resulting in a large diameter, meaning more blood can travel through the vessel

Question 6

Vasoconstriction …

Answer 6

• when the muscles in the vessels temporarily contract meaning less blood can be transported through
• this then leads to an increase in body temperature as blood is moved further away from the surface of the skin

Question 7

Frighting infection …

Answer 7

• white blood cells fight infection and are produced inside the bone marrow
• stored in the blood, transported around through the vessels
• can surround and ingest pathogens destroying them
• white blood cells also create antibodies that will also destroy pathogens and produce antitoxins which also neutralise pathogens

Question 8

Clotting blood …

Answer 8

• at the site of damage (a cut), white blood cells along with platelets form a plug (by the use of fibrin)
• this stops excessive bleeding and controls bacteria entering the blood stream