Introduction to CVRS

Question 1

Describe the structure of a blood vessel.

Answer 1

Tunica advetitia, tunica media (smooth muscle), tunica intima (endothelium)

Question 2

Where are smooth muscles present in a blood vessel?

Answer 2

Tunica media

Question 3

What can alter the vessel diameter and therefore blood flow through a vessel?

Answer 3

Contraction and relaxation.

Question 4

What is contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle controlled by?

Answer 4

Neuronal input and hormonal input released from the endothelium.

Question 5

True or false: abnormalities in smooth muscle regulation can restrict blood flow.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Why do the endothelial cells release bioactive substances?

Answer 6

To prevent accidental thrombus formation (by releasing mediators that inhibit platelet activation) and cause relaxation/ contraction of smooth muscle.

Question 7

Eqn. for blood pressure?

Answer 7

BP= CO x PVR (peripheral vascular resistance).

Question 8

Name the internal pressure receptors.

Answer 8

Baroreceptors.

Question 9

What can high blood pressure lead to?

Answer 9

Hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy.

Question 10

What do drugs that reduce BP do?

Answer 10

Target mechanisms/receptors that modulate BP e.g. ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors (captopril) or beta-blockers (propranolol)

Question 11

Describe 4 stages of respiration.

Answer 11

Air alternately inspired into and expired out of lungs.
O2 and CO2 exchange between air in lung and capillary blood.
O2 and CO2 transport by blood between lungs and tissues.
O2 and CO2 exchange between blood and tissues.

Question 12

What factors make breathing easy?

Answer 12

Properties of lung tissue: compliance and elasticity.
Surfactants
Pleural membranes

Question 13

True or false: normal breathing is involuntary.

Answer 13

True, and involves lower levels of the brain.

Question 14

What sensory inputs help to control breathing rhythm and respond to changes in the internal environment.

Answer 14

Peripheral and central chemoreceptors.

Question 15

Missing words: breathing depends on respiratory muscle…. of the …. and …. muscles by their …. neurones.

Answer 15

Excitation, diaphragm, intercostal, motor.

Question 16

Where does neuronal control of breathing reside?

Answer 16

Medulla respiratory centre (neurones in medulla of brain).

Question 17

Name respiratory system routes of administration.

Answer 17

Oral (cough linctus), inhalation, aerosols, nasal route (sprays)

Question 18

Name 3 respiratory disorders.

Answer 18

Asthma, bronchitis and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Question 19

Name a drug which targets receptors (in the lungs) to improve airway smooth muscle relaxation and an anti-inflamm. drug which does the same.

Answer 19

Salbutamol (beta 2 agonist).

AID: predisolone

Question 20

How can drugs which aim to therapeutically target drugs be administered?

Answer 20

Via inhalation, orally, IV or IM route

Question 21

Name the organs associated with the respiratory system.

Answer 21

Nose, mouth?, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs (alveoli)