Lab 7: Cardiovascular Physiology

Question 1

What is the difference between diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and what happens to each during exercise?

Answer 1

Diastolic = Minimum pressure experienced in arteries when the heart is relaxed, refilling
-Constant during exercise

Systolic = Maximum pressure experienced in arteries when the heart contracts
-Increases during exercise

Question 2

Why does blood pressure not skyrocket during exercise?

Answer 2

Arterioles dilate, reducing resistance to blood flow = Lowered total peripheral resistance = Eased blood flow

Question 3

What is the role of CO2 in the human body? How is it produced?

Answer 3

CO2 regulates the blood pH and the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.

it is produced via metabolism in the muscles, aka cellular respiration - the breakdown of glucose.

Question 4

What is the pathway of CO2, from a leg muscle in the body, where it is produced, to its exiting point?

Answer 4

Cell in leg muscle
Capillary 
Venuole
Vein
Inferior vena cava
Right atrium
Right ventricle
Pulmonary artery
Capillary in lunch
Breathed out

Question 5

How do determine the cross-sectional area to measure blood flow?

Answer 5

Published data relates height to cross-sectional area. This is used as a proxy since we are not measuring it in the individual.

Question 6

Why does the resting heart rate in an athlete lower?

Answer 6

Increased stroke volume!