Overview of the Function of the Cardiovascular System

Question 1

The bulk flow system includes transport of what?

Answer 1

• Metabolites
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide
• Nutrients
• Hormones
• Heat

Question 2

Because pumps are in series (one path), this means output…

Answer 2

Must be equal (to avoid accumulation of blood in pulmonary or systemic circulation

Question 3

Most vascular beds are in series/parallel.

Answer 3

Parallel

Question 4

Describe the benefit of vascular beds being in parallel.

Answer 4

All tissues to get oxygenated blood simultaneously, as well as allowing regional redirection of blood

Question 5

State the vascular beds that are in series (the exceptions).

Answer 5

Anterior pituitary and hypothalamus

Liver and gut

Question 6

State the organ with the highest cardiac output.

Answer 6

Abdominal organs (24%)

Question 7

State the organ with the lowest cardiac output.

Answer 7

Heart (4%)

Question 8

State the organ with the highest oxygen consumption.

Answer 8

Abdominal organs (30%)

Question 9

State the organ with the lowest oxygen consumption.

Answer 9

Skin (2%)

Question 10

Explain the function of elastic arteries.

Answer 10

This includes the aorta which expands when the left ventricle contracts

Question 11

Explain the function of muscular arteries.

Answer 11

This includes the other arteries and draws blood from elastic arteries and distributes blood into resistance vessels

Question 12

Explain the function of resistance vessels

Answer 12

These include arterioles which act as ‘taps’ and control resistance and therefore flow to each vascular bed and allow regional redirection of blood

Question 13

Explain the function of capacitance vessels

Answer 13

These include veins/venules which allow for the fractional distribution of blood between veins and the rest of the circulation (especially the heart)