PE GCSE Flashcards
What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?
A2: The heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries), and blood.
What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
The primary function is to transport nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body and remove metabolic wastes (carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes).
How does the heart contribute to the cardiovascular system?
The heart pumps blood through the blood vessels, maintaining the flow of blood throughout the body.
What are the four chambers of the heart?
The top 2 chambers are called the right atrium and left atrium. The bottom 2 chambers are called the right and left ventricles
What is the function of the left ventricle?
The pulmonary ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta and around the body
What are the main external structures of the heart?
The heart has a curved aorta and pulmonary arteries arising from the ventricles
How does blood flow through the heart
Blood flows from the inferior and superior vena cava into the right atrium, then to the right ventricle.
: What is the first step in the pathway of blood through the heart?
Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the superior and inferior vena cava
After the right atrium, where does the blood flow next?
Blood flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle.
What are the three main types of blood vessels?
Arteries, veins, and capillaries
What is the primary function of arteries?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart
What is the largest artery in the body?
The aorta
What are the four main components of blood?
Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
What is plasma and what is its function?
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that carries nutrients, hormones, and waste products. It also helps maintain blood pressure and volume
What is the primary function of white blood cells?
White blood cells are part of the immune system and help the body fight infections and other diseases
