How Does The Circulation Work? Flashcards
What happens to arteries when the heart contracts? (Systole)
Blood is forced into arteries and their elastic walls stretch to accommodate the blood.
Smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels allow them to…
…constrict and dilate.
What is it called when the heart contracts?
Systole.
What is called when the heart relaxes?
Diastole.
What happens to arteries when the heart relaxes?
The elasticity of the artery walls causes them to recoil behind the blood and so allows the blood to be pushed forward.
What does a capillary network ensure?
Rapid diffusion between the blood and surrounding cells by lying very close to every cell.
What does systole mean?
Cardiac muscle contracts and the heart pumps blood out through the aorta and pulmonary arteries.
What does diastole mean?
Cardiac muscle relaxes and the heart fills with blood.
