Heart and blood vessels Flashcards
What is the circulatory system made of ?
Arteries, veins, capillaries and the heart
What are arteries specialised with?
Thick elastic walls and a small lumen
What are capillary walls like?
Only one cell thick, so there is a short distance for diffusion
What do veins have?
Valves, thinner and less elastic walls and a larger lumen
What is the main structure of the heart?
The aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, valves, atria and ventricles
What is the heart rate controlled by?
A group of cells that act as a pacemaker
Where are the pacemaker cells located?
In the right atrium
What does blood contain?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma
What do red blood cells do?
Carry oxygen
What do blood cells do?
Destroy pathogens
What do platelets do?
Clot the blood
What is plasma?
The liquid part of the blood
