The Cardio-Vascular System Flashcards
What is predominantly the purpose of arteries?
To carry oxygenated blood away from the heart and out into the body to provide our organs and muscles with red blood cells containing oxygen so we can function effectively and efficiently.
Excluding pulmonary artery that carries blood towards the heart.
What is predominantly the purpose of veins?
To carry de-oxygenated blood back towards the heart and to have the blood oxygenated again so the blood can be reused.
Excluding pulmonary vein which carries blood away from the heart.
Why do arteries have wide walls?
They have to cope with large amounts of pressure and blood running through them so they have to be large to cope with the pressure.
How wide are capillaries?
Capillaries are one cell thick.
What is the name of the valve on the left side of the heart?
The Bi-cuspid valve.
What is the name of the heart on the right die of the heart?
The Tri-cuspid valve.
What is the purpose of White Blood Cells?
White Blood Cells allow us to create anti-bodies to fight infections when they enter our body.
This is useful for athletes as when we exercise it suppresses our immune systems making us more vulnerable to infection so being able to fight illness more easily is very handy.
Why is the Left Ventricle so muscular?
The Left Ventricle is responsible for a large part of the hearts work and it pumps the blood for muscles and areas that need lots of oxygen to work, making it a vital part for the cardiovascular system.
What is special about the aorta?
It is the largest artery in the body and all the blood that leaves the heart goes from there. Making it the sort of epicentre of the heart.
If someone has problems with the aorta such as an aortic aneurysm it is an emergency and they require treatment fast.
Do arteries have valves?
Arteries don’t have valves except the semi-lunar valves and the bicuspid and tricuspid valves that exist within the heart.
What is the purpose of valves in the heart?
The semi lunar and bi and tri cuspid valves in the heart are very useful. They prevent blood back flow meaning the blood going into wrong areas of the heart and it being used incorrectly around the body.
What is Vasoconstriction?
When your veins shrink to retain heat and they retreat into the skin and this decreases the amount of blood flow that can occur.
What is Vasodilation?
It is when your veins expand usually when you’re warm and this increases the amount of blood that can flow around the body. Usually beneficial for this to occur during exercise.
What is the purpose of Platelets?
They flow around in the blood and cause it to clot so we don’t lose to much blood if we get cut. However it doesn’t cause damage to the body when it clots. Haemophiliacs don’t produce enough or any platelets and it can be bad if they get cut and begin to lose blood.
What kind of blood do arteries carry?
Oxygenated blood
