The Circulatory System Flashcards
what are the three parts of the circulatory system
blood, heart, blood vessels
what are the 2 systems in the circulatory system
pulmonary circulation - sends blood from heart to lungs and back
systemic circulation - sends blood to rest of body and back to heart
what are the 4 parts of blood
red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma
what are red blood cells
the most plentiful of blood cells, they contain hemoglobin which transports oxygen through the body
what are white blood cells
the infection fighting cells that make up less than 1% of blood and are the only blood cells with a nucleus
what are platelets
the blood cells that help with clotting and make up less than 1% of blood
what is plasma
the protein rich liquid that carries blood along and makes up half of blood volume
what are the three types of blood vessels
arteries, veins, and capillaries
what are arteries
blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and have thick walls to withstand pressure
what are veins
blood vessels that carry blood towards heart
what are capillaries
blood vessels that link arteries and veins and have thin walls to allow substances to diffuse between blood, other fluids, and tissues
what are the 4 chambers of the heart
right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle
what do valves do
control blood flow by opening and closing, allows blood to flow in one direction
what are some common diseases of the circulatory system
atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (heart attack), prolapsed valves, arrhythmia, high blood pressure
what is atherosclerosis
the hardening of arteries due to plaque
