The Circulatory System Flashcards
What are the 3 functions of blood?
Transport
Defence against disease
Keep body temperature constant
What is the function of the plasma?
The function of the plasma is to transport substances and heat
What is the function of the red blood cells?
To transport oxygen
What is the function of the white blood cells?
To fight disease
What is the function of platelets?
To clot the blood
What are the three types of blood vessel?
Arteries, veins and capillaries
Describe an artery
- Thick wall and small lumen
- Blood carried under high pressure from the heart
- No valves
- Carry blood AWAY from the heart
- Usually contains oxygen rich blood
Describe a vein
- Thin wall with large lumen
- Blood flow not under pressure
- Have valves to prevent backflow of blood
- Carry blood TO the heart
- Usually contain oxygen-poor blood
Describe a capillary
- Very thin wall (one cell wide) and tiny lumen
- Blood flow under low pressure
- No valves
- Connect the arteries to the veins
What is the function of the heart?
To pump blood around the body
What is the function of the aorta?
Carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to the main organs of the body
What is the function of the pulmonary artery?
The vessel carries deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs
What is the function of the vena cava?
This vessel carries deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart from the body organs
What is the function of the pulmonary vein?
This vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart
