L08a: Arterioles And Vascular Resistance Flashcards
What are the factors that determine resistance
Viscosity of blood
Length of tubules
Radius
What happens to the resistance as length of tubules increase
Increase
What happens to the resistance in vessels as blood viscosity increases
Increases
What happens to the resistance in vessels as radius increases
Decreases
Which factors affecting the resistance has the biggest effect
Radius
What are arterioles also known as
Resistance vessels
How can arterioles increase the radius
By vasodilation
How can arterioles decrease their radius
By vasoconstriction
What happens to the blood flow when vasodilation occurs
Blood flow increases
What happens to the blood flow when vasoconstriction occurs
Blood flow decreases
What is vasodilation and vasoconstriction controlled by
Endothelial factors (associated with the blood vessels) Local mechanism Central neural mechanism Hormonal mechanism
Why is a parallel arrangement beneficial in terms of blood flow of a particular organ
If an arteriole changes it diameter by vasoconstriction or vasodilation the blood flow of that organ is only affected, the other organs do not have their blood flow altered.
Where are endothelial cells found
Walls of vessels
What substances do endothelial cells produce
Vasoactive substances
Which muscle cells do vasoactive substances affect
Smooth muscle cells
What are the triggers that cause the release of vasoactive substances from endothelial cells
Sheer stress
Paracrine hormones
Circulating hormones
Hypoxia
How do we get sheer stress
Increase in blood flow
What is the role of vasoactive substances
To cause vasodilation or vasoconstriction
Name vasoactive substances that cause vasodilation
Nitrous oxide
Prostaglandins
Endothelium derive hyperpolarisation factor
What enzyme synthesises nitrous oxide in the endothelial cells
Nitric oxide synthase
Describe the activity that occurs when nitrous oxide is produced
Lead to a decrease in calcium in smooth cells so vasodilation occurs by relaxation of smooth muscle cells
This increases blood flow
What happens to nitrous oxide in coronary heart disease
Nitrous oxide is not produced and this leads to a decreased blood flow.