heart and blood vessels Flashcards
what is the circulatory system made of? (4 things.)
-Arteries
-Veins
-capillaries
-The heart
What are arteries specialised with?
Thick elastic walls and a small lumen
How thick are capillary walls? Why is this good?
One cell thick, short distance for diffusion
How thick are capillary walls? Why is this good?
One cell thick, short distance for diffusion
What are veins specialised with?
valves, thinner and less elastic walls and a larger lumen
what does the main structure of the heart include? (7 things)
-aorta
-vena cava
-pulmonary artery
-pulmonary vein
-valves
-atria
-ventricles
What is heart rate controlled by?
A group of cells that act as a pacemaker
where are the pacemaker cells located?
In the right atrium
What four things does blood contain?
-Red blood cells
-White blood cells
-platelets
-Plasma
What do red blood cells do?
Carry oxygen
What do white blood cells do?
Destroy pathogens
What do platelets do?
Clot the blood
What is plasma?
The liquid part of the blood
