Physiology Flashcards
What term describes
“Maintenance of steady states within our bodies by coordinated physiological mechanisms essential for function and survival of cells”?
Homeostasis
What types (2) of cells are influenced by changes to membrane potential?
Muscle and nerve cells
What are the 2 types of physiological controls to maintain homeostasis?
Intrinsic - local and inherent to organ
Extrinsic - accomplished by nervous and endocrine system
What is a response made in ANTICIPATION of change known as? Give an example.
Feedforward.
Exercise.
What is a feedback response?
Response AFTER change has been detected
What are the 2 types of feedback response?
Give an example for each
Positive - AMPLIFIES initial change (E.g. Uterine contraction during labour)
Negative - OPPOSES initial change (E.g. BP, Temp)
What are the 3 components in a feedback response? (Closed-loop)
Sensor - monitors MAGNITUDE
Control centre - COMPARES with a SET POINT
Effector(s) - RESPONSE to bring desired effect
What is the purpose of the baroreceptor reflex?
Short-term moment to moment control of MAP
What is blood pressure?
Outwards hydrostatic pressure exerted on arteries during cardiac contraction (Sytole) or relaxation (Diastole)
What is the cut-off for hypotension?
=/< 90/60mmHg
What is the normal pulse pressure range?
30-50mmHg
Is CO and SV based on both or 1 ventricle?
1 ventricle
What is the normal MAP range?
70-105mmHg
At least how much MAP is needed for vital perfusion?
60mmHg
What are the 3 components in a baroreceptor feedback response for MAP?
Sensor: Baroreceptor (Carotid sinus/ bifurcation via CN IX/ Hering’s nerve) & (Aortic arch via CN X)
Control centre: Medulla oblongata
Effectors: Heart (HR, SV) and Blood vessesls (SVR)
How does MAP affect the firing rate of the afferent neurons of the baroreceptors?
MAP rises - firing rate increases
MAP decreases - firing rate decreases
What is SVR?
Sum of all resistance of all vasculature in the systemic circulation
How much effect does CN X have on ventricular contractility?
Little
Mostly by sympathetic
What are the major resistance vessels? (Biggest change in pressure)
Arterioles
What regulates SVR?
Vascular smooth muscle - changes diameter thus resistance
Why are arterial smooth muscles partially contracted at rest?
Due to vasomotor/ sympathetic tone where there is tonic/continuous discharge and release of noradrenaline by sympathetic nerve
Parasympathetic innervation of arterial smooth muscle can be found in ONLY which body parts?
Penis and clitoris, otherwise no.
What happens when firing rate of afferent baroreceptor neurons decrease?
Reduced cardiac vagal efferent nerve fiber activity
Increased cardiac sympathetic efferent nerve fibre activity
Increased sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerve fibre activity
Sympathetic constrictor tone influences which vessels and what are the outcomes of each?
Veins - influences venous return hence SV
Arteries - influences SVR
What happens to the firing of baroreceptors in CHRONIC high BP?
Firing rate decreases
Only resets and fires again if there is an acute change above the NEW set point
How is MAP controlled in the long-term?
Control of blood volume (E.g. GI, Kidneys) - mainly endocrine
Does SV increase or decrease if cardiac contractility is increased?
Increase
Where does the medulla first synapse and what happens after that?
Nucleus tractus solitarius
Then relays information to other brain regions
Where is the vagal outflow for the heart relayed to in the CNS?
Nucleus ambigus in medulla
And regulation of spinal sympathetic neurons
If the baroreceptor reflex (autonomic nervous system) if an extrinsic control of SV then what governs the intrinsic control?
Frank-starling mechanism.
Direct relation between EDV and SV
How does blood flow in normal arteries? Any sound?
Smooth laminar fashion.
Inaudible.
What sound is heard when BP cuff exceeds SBP?
No sound as flow is blocked
What sound is heard when BP cuff is kept between SBP and DBP? Why?
Korotkoff sound.
Due to turbulent flow when BP intermittently exceeds cuff pressure.
What is the formula for MAP?
DBP + 1/3 (SBP-DBP)
How much longer is diastole compared to systole in a single cardiac cycle?
Twice longer
What is the normal pulse rate?
What else should you note for when taking a pulse? (3)
60-100bpm.
Rhythm, volume, character
What is the normal resp rate?
12-20/min
What is the normal capillary refill time?
<2s
How is consciousness recorded?
AVPU
or GCS
What is the normal O2 sat?
> 95%
At what temperature is the core body maintained at?
37.8
Increased body temp increases cell metabolism.
But what can overheating result in? (4)
Protein denaturation, nerve malfunction, convulsion, death
What can low body temp result in?
Slow down cell reaction and metabolism
What site is good for measuring body temp in hypothermia? (<35)
What is the normal range?
Rectal (more representative of core temp)
36.7 - 37.5
Other than rectal, what other sites can be used to measure body temp?
Tympanic - 35.5 - 37.5
Oral - affected by foods and drinks
Body temp shows slight diurnal variation.
When is body temp lowest?
Early morning
When is body temp higher in menstrual cycle?
2nd half from time of ovulation
What contributes to heat generation in the internal environment (3)?
- Brown fat
- Muscle activity (E.g. Shivering)
- Oxidation of metabolic fuel
What increases BMR?
Hormones such as adrenaline, noradrenaline, thyroxine
What contributes to heat generation from the external environment? (3)
Mostly radiation (50%). Convection, conduction
What contributes to heat loss to the external environment? (4)
Radiation, convection, conduction, evaporation