Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

MCAT Biology > The Cardiovascular System > Flashcards

The Cardiovascular System Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
MCAT flashcards AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
0
Q

Describe the atria and ventricles of the heart

A

Atria are Thin-walled, ventricles are muscular

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Describe the pathway of blood

A

Right heart=pulmonary circulation
Left heart=systemic circulation
Arteries➡️arterioles➡️capillaries➡️venules➡️veins

Right atrium receives DEOX blood from the inferior/superior vena cava➡️Right ventricle➡️pulmonary artery➡️lungs➡️pulmonary vein➡️left atrium receives OX blood➡️left ventricle➡️aorta➡️body➡️superior vena cava

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does the hepatic portal system connect?

A

The vasculature of the digestive tract and the liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the hypophyseal portal system connect?

A

The vasculatures of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What forms the base of the heart?

A

The exterior wall of the right atrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which side of the heart is more muscular?

A

The left side, because it must operate at higher pressures as it pumps blood to all parts of the body.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the difference between the amount if blood passing through the left side and right side of the heart?

A

The volumes are the same (~5 liters/min)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Atrioventricular valves (AV valves) names:

A

Right AV valve=tricuspid
Left AV valve=bicuspid/mitral

Prevent backflow of blood between ventricles and atria during systole (contraction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Semilunar valve names:

A

Right semilunar valve=pulmonic
Left semilunar valve=aortic

Prevents backflow of blood into ventricles during diastole (ventricular relaxation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe Systole

A

Ventricular contraction: blood is pumped out of the ventricles, closure of AV valves. Characterized by high pressures.

(Atrial relaxation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe diastole

A

Ventricular relaxation: blood from atria is filling the ventricles, semilunar valves close. Characterized by low pressures.

(Atrial contraction)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Arterial walls are…

A

Elastic, strong, thick walled. Offer high resistance to the flow of blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Define cardiac output (CO)

A

Total blood volume pumped by the ventricle in a minute.

CO= HR x SV

HR=beats/min
SV=volume of blood pumped/beat

~5 liters/min

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the pathway of an electrical impulse to the heart.

A

Impulse receives by sinoatrial node (SA node) which causes atrial contraction (inc. pressure). The signal is then received by the Atrioventricular node (AV node). The signal is delayed here to allow the ventricle to fill completely. The signal then travels down the bundle of HIS and to the Purkinje fibers, which cause ventricular contraction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What division of the nervous system controls the heart?

A

The autonomic division: parasympathetic slow the heart via the vagus nerve, sympathetic speed up the heart.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What do beta-blockers do for a person who has suffered a heart attack?

A

They block sympathetic beta-receptors, which reduce HR and BP, decreasing cardiac workload and it’s need for O2.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Fetal umbilical arteries carry…

A

DEOX blood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Veins are…

A

Inelastic and thin walled. Carry large amounts of blood-3/4 of our blood may be in venous circulation at any time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Why do varicose veins develop?

A

Failure of the venous valves resulting in backflow. *Happens in pregnant women because there is increased blood flow, which increases pressure in the lower limb.

19
Q

Capillaries are…

A

Delicate, Single endothelial cell layer. Allows for exchange of nutrients and gases.

20
Q

Define blood pressure

A

A measure of force per unit are that is exerted on the wall of blood vessels. Systolic/diastolic. Pressure gradually drops from arterial to venous circulation.

21
Q

What is the liquid portion of blood?

A

Plasma-contains nutrients, salts, respiratory gases, hormones, and proteins.

22
Q

3 cellular components to blood Are:

A

Erythrocytes: RBCs
leukocytes: WBCs
Platelets: clotting

23
Q

Describe erythrocytes

A

contain hemoglobin to bind 4 O2. Shaped as a biconcave disc to aid in transport along capillaries and to increase surface area for better gas exchange. NO MEMBRANE BOUND ORGANELLES, NOT NUCLEATED, NO MITOCHONDRIA.

24
Q

RBCs are phagocytized and recycled in the…

A

Liver and spleen

25
Q

Describe leukocytes

A

Crucial part of immune system-broken down into granulocytes and Agranulocytes.

Granulocytes: toxic to invading microbes, involved in inflammatory responses, allergies, destruction of bacteria etc…

  1. Neutrophils
  2. Eosinophils
  3. Basophils

Agranulocytes:

  1. Lymphocytes-specific immune response
  2. Monocytes-phagocytize foreign matter (macrophages/microglia)
26
Q

Describe the specific immune response

A

The body’s targeted fight against particular pathogens (viruses/bacteria). Immediate fight against infection, long term memory bank.

B cells-mature in spleen of lymph, responsible for memory
T cells- Mature in thymus, kill virally infected cells

27
Q

Describe platelets

A

Megakaryocytes in marrow:clot blood

28
Q

What is an antigen?

A

Surface proteins that my initiate an organisms immune response.

29
Q

Describe Type A blood

A

A-Antigen

Anti-B antibodies produced

30
Q

Describe type B blood

A

B - antigens

Anti-A antibodies produced

31
Q

Describe type AB blood

A

universal recipient!
A and B antigens
No antibodies produced!

32
Q

Describe type O blood

A

UNIVERSAL DONOR!
No antigens!
Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies produced

33
Q

What is the Rh factor protein?

A

Surface protein expressed in RBCs. Indicated by a + or -. Rh+ express it, Rh- don’t. *if a fetus is Rh+ and the mother is -, she will begin to make antibodies against the fetus, which won’t affect the first baby but will affect subsequent babies-attacks fetal blood cells resulting in hemolysis (erythroblastosis fatalis).

34
Q

Describe Cooperative binding of hemoglobin

A

Once one O2 binds to 1 of the 4 heme groups, there is a conformational shift of hemoglobin from taut to relaxed, increasing it’s affinity to bind with more O2. The affinity decreases as the O2 molecules separate, to make it easier for the others to separate.

35
Q

What is the primary waste product of cellular respiration?

A

CO2

36
Q

How is CO2 carried in the blood?

A

As the bicarbonate ion HCO3-.

Once it reaches the alveolar capillaries, the reaction is reversed and bicarbonate is reformed into CO2 in the lungs and is breathed out:

CO2 (g) + H2O (l) ↔️ H2CO3 (aq) ↔️H+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq)

37
Q

What is the Bohr Effect? And when would we see it’s effects?

A

It is an increased concentration of protons in the blood, lowering the pH and shifting the hemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve to the right. We see this when we have high energy demands, resulting in increased respiration, increased O2 supply, and the higher rates of cellular metabolism result in increase P CO2 and the accumulation of lactose acid. Both of these things lower pH and signal to Hb that the tissue needs more O2. Thus, Hb will experience a decreased affinity for O2 as it constantly is distributing it to the active muscles.

38
Q

What is a buffer?

A

A solution with a weak acid and it’s conjugate base in equal concentrations, which helps to minimize dramatic shifts in pH.

39
Q

What is he most important buffers stem in the blood?

A

Carbonic acid-bicarbonate ion pair.

Blood pH must be maintained at 7.4 (alkaline).

40
Q

How will respirations change according to acidosis or alkalosis?

A

Acidosis-there is a lowered pH, so respirations will increase to decrease SYSTEMIC P CO2.

Alkalosis-there is a higher pH, so respirations will decrease to increase systemic P CO2.

41
Q

Where is hydrostatic pressure highest?

A

At the arteriole of be capillaries. Capillaries are leaky so fluid is forced out of the bloodstream into the interstitial space between tissues, lowering hydrostatic pressure.

42
Q

Where is hydrostatic pressure the lowest?

A

At the venule end of the capillaries, where it is below the onconic/osmotic pressure.

43
Q

What is an important clotting factor and how does it work?

A

Thromboplastin: converts prothrombin into thrombin. Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which aggregates into a woven structure, capturing RBCs and allowing for clotting.

44
Q

What is hemophilia?

A

A recessive disorder that malfunctions the cascade of clotting

MCAT Biology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions