Topic 6: Human Physiology Flashcards
Explain how circulation of the blood to the lungs and to other systems is separated in humans and what the advantages of this separation are. [8]
- double circulation
- heart is a double pump
- deoxygenated blood pumped into lungs, oxygenated blood pumped to other organs
- each side of the heart has an atrium and ventricle
- left ventricle pumps blood to the systems; right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs
- left atrium receives blood from the lungs; right atrium receives blood from systems
- left ventricle pumps blood via the aorta; right ventricle pumps blood via the pulmonary artery
- left atrium receives blood via the pulmonary vein; right atrium receives blood via the vena cava
- lungs require low pressure blood
- high pressure to pump blood
- oxygenated and deoxygenated blood kept separate
Describe the action of the heart in pumping blood. [5]
- atria collects blood from veins
- sinoatrial node sends impulses to muscle
- blood is pushed to ventricles by contraction of atria
- atrioventricular valves open
- semilunar valves are closed so ventricles fill with blood
- when ventricles relax, semilunar valves close to prevent backflow of blood
Distinguish between the composition of the blood of the renal artery and the blood of the renal vein.
Renal Vein
- less urea
- less oxygen
- more CO2
- less glucose
State four molecules transported by the blood.
- hormones
- antibodies
- urea
- O2
- CO2
- glucose
Outline control of the heartbeat [4]
- myogenic
- SA node
- stimulates atria to contract
- leading to contraction of ventricles
- nerves carry impulses from the brain to alter pace
- medulla monitors blood pressure
- secretion of adrenaline increases pace
- secretion of acetylcholine reduces pace
- adrenal gland release adrenaline
- carried by blood to heart to increase pace
Outline exchange of materials between capillaries and tissues [3]
- molecules move by diffusion down a conc gradient
- nutrients move into tissues
- gas exchange
- nitrogenous wastes move from cell tissues to blood
- hormones leave capillaries to target tissues/gland tissues release hormones into bloodstream
Explain the structures and functions of arteries and veins. [8]
- three layers in their wall
- pressure high in arteries, low in veins
- arteries carry blood away from heart
- lumen of artery is small to maintain high pressure
- arteries have thick walls to withstand pressure
- elastic fibres recoil in response to heart contractions
- veins receive blood from capillaries
- large lumen of veins, less resistance to blood flow
- valves in veins prevent backflow of blood
Explain how the small intestine moves, digests and absorbs food. [8]
- contraction/peristalsis moves food
- peristalsis mixes food with intestinal enzymes
- enzymes digest macromolecules into monomers
- amylase digests starch/lipase digests lipids
- bile secreted into small intestine creates favorable pH for enzymes
- bile emulsifies fat
- lining of small intestine with villi
- villi increases SA for better absorption
- villi absorbs products of digestion
- glucose enters blood via capillaries
- absorption involves active transport/diffusion
- different nutrients absorbed by different transport mechanisms
State the source, substrate, products and optimal pH condition for lipase in the human digestive system. [4]
- source: pancreas
- substrate: lipids
- product: glycerol and fatty acids
- optimal pH: 7-8
Describe the process of blood clotting. [4]
- clotting factor released by platelets
- series of reactions
- prothrombin activated to thrombin
- soluble fibrinogen to insoluble fibrin
- mesh of fibrin traps red blood cells
Explain how the direction of blood flow in the heart is controlled. [2]
- valves open/close due to pressure differences
- valves prevent backflow
- atrioventricular valves between ventricles and atria
- semilunar valves between arteries and ventricles
Blood transports molecules throughout the body. State where the blood absorbs hormones.
endocrine glands
Blood transports molecules throughout the body. State where the blood absorbs carbon dioxide.
tissues
Explain how the structure of capillaries relates to their functions. [3]
- one cell thick for better diffusion
- narrow lumen to fit in between cells
- small diameter for greater SA for molecular exchange
- pores between cells of the wall so plasma can leak out
- allows phagocytes to enter tissues
- only one red blood cell passes at a time for efficient oxygen uptake
The pumping of blood is a vital process. Explain the roles of the atria and ventricles in the pumping of blood. [4]
- atria collects blood from veins
- collects blood while ventricles contract
- atria pumps blood into ventricles
- ventricles pump blood into arteries
- at high pressure
- heart valves work with atria and ventricles to keep blood moving
- left ventricle pumps blood to systems; right ventricle pumps blood to lungs