Overview of the Function of the Cardiovascular System

Question 1

What is the function of the CVS (4)

Answer 1

Bulk flow system for
O2 and CO2
Nutrients
Hormones
Heat
Pump can vary output
Vessels can redirect
Vessels can store blood

Question 2

How is the CVS structured

Answer 2

Pumps are in a series

Vascular beds are parallel

Question 3

What does the vascular beds being parallel mean

Answer 3

All tissues get oxygenated blood

Allows regional redirection of blood

Question 4

Why is the cardiac output of the kidneys higher than the oxygen consumption

Answer 4

Blood is redirected to the kidneys to be filtered

Question 5

Why is the cardiac output of the skin higher than the oxygen consumption

Answer 5

Blood is redirected to the skin for thermoregulation to release heat

Question 6

Pressure difference is calculated by

Answer 6

Mean Arterial Pressure - Central Venous Pressure

Question 7

Resistance =

Answer 7

Radius to the power of 4 and selectively redirects flow

Question 8

Function of arterioles

Answer 8

act as taps that control the resistance and therefore the flow

Question 9

Flow =

Answer 9

Pressure/ Resistance

Question 10

Features of Aorta (3)

Answer 10

Elastic wall
Wide lumen
Damp pressure variations

Question 11

Features of Arteries (4)

Answer 11

Muscular
Wide lumen
Strong non-elastic wall
Low resistance conduit

Question 12

Features of Arterioles (4)

Answer 12

Narrow lumen
Thick contractile wall
Control resistance and therefore flow
Allow regional redirection of blood

Question 13

Features of Capillaries (3)

Answer 13

Exchange vessels
Narrow lumen
Thin wall

Question 14

Features of Venules and Veins

Answer 14

Capacitance vessels
Low resistance and reservoir
Allows fractional distribution of blood between veins and rest of circulation (esp. heart)