Section 1: Applied Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis occurs when arteries harden and narrow as they become clogged up by fatty deposits(atheroma)
What are the two types of cholesterol?
Low density lipoproteins (LDLs)
High density lipoproteins (HDLs)
What are cilia?
Cilia are microscopic hair-like projections that help to sweep away fluids and particles
What are the effects of a stroke?
A stroke can lead to brain injury, disability and sometimes death
What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the blood vessel walls
What are the effects of smoking on the alveoli?
Smoking can damage the walls of the alveoli meaning they break down and join together forming larger air spaces than usual which reduces gaseous exchange efficiency. The risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also increased.
What are the benefits of exercise in terms of heart disease?
Benefits of regular exercise for reducing risk of heart attacks:
- helps to keep the heart in shape
- cardiac muscle bigger and stronger so increased stroke volume
- maintains the flexibility of blood vessels which ensures good blood flow
- low cholesterol levels
- normal blood pressure
What is the effect of exercise on cholesterol levels?
Regular exercise increases HDLs and lowers LDL levels
What do LDLs do?
LDLs transport cholesterol in the blood to the tissues and are considered ‘bad’ cholesterol because they increase the risk of heart disease
What is the effect of regular exercise on blood pressure?
Regular exercise can reduce blood pressure by:
Reducing the risk of heart attack by up to 20% because exercise lowers systolic and diastolic pressure by up to 5-10mmHg
How does a heart attack occur?
Heart attacks can occur when a piece of fatty deposit (atheroma) breaks off to cause a blood clot which results in a blockage that can cut off the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart
What are the effects of high blood pressure?
High blood pressure puts extra strain on the arteries and the heart. If left untreated high blood pressure increases risk of heart attack, kidney disease, heart failure, stroke or dementia
What is the effect of exercise on strokes?
Regular exercise can help lower your blood pressure and help you maintain a healthy weight which can reduce the risk of a stroke by 27%
What do HDLs do?
HDLs transport cholesterol in the blood to the liver where it is broken down. Classed as ‘good’ cholesterol
What are the causes of atherosclerosis?
- high blood pressure
- high levels of cholesterol
- lack of exercise
- smoking
What is the effect of smoking on the respiratory system?
- Smoking can cause irritation to trachea and bronchi. It damages the cells lining the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles which are lined with cilia.
- smoking reduces lung function and increases breathlessness caused by the swelling and narrowing of the arteries
How does smoking affect the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood?
Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke binds more readily to haemoglobin than oxygen which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, which increases breathlessness during exercise
What happens when cilia are damaged?
When cilia are damaged, excess muscle builds up in the lung passages which leads to a smokers cough trying to clear the excess mucus
What is angina?
Angina is the pain and discomfort that occurs as a result of the coronary arteries narrowing because they are unable to deliver enough oxygen to the heart
What are the 2 main types of stroke?
2 main types of stroke:
- Ischaemic (most common) when a blood clot stops blood supply
- Haemorrgaic occurs when a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is cut off
What is a motor unit?
A motor neurone and its muscle fibres
What are motor neurones?
Nerve cells which transmit the brain’s instructions as electrical impulses to the muscles
What is a neuromuscular joint?
Where the motor neurone and muscle fibre meet
What is the all or none law?
Where a sequence of impulses has to be of sufficient intensity (threshold) to stimulate all the muscle fibres in a motor unit for a contraction to occur (if not, none of them contract)
What is wave summation?
Where there is repeated nerve impulse with no time to relax so a smooth, sustained contraction occurs rather than twitches
What is a tetanic contraction?
A sustained muscle contraction caused by a series of fast repeating stimuli (calcium is released each time the nerve impulse reaches the cell and it is needed for a muscle to contract)
What is spatial summation?
When the strength of contraction changes by altering the number and size of the muscle’s motor units, it occurs when impulses are received at the same time at different places on the neurone