Unit Two - Key Area 5

Question 1

Describe the blood circulation from the heart?

Answer 1

Blood circulates from the heart through arteries to the capillaries then to the veins and back to the heart. There is a decrease in pressure as blood moves away from the heart.

Question 2

What is the lumen?

Answer 2

the central cavity or space of blood vessels

Question 3

What is the endothelium?

Answer 3

the layer of cells which lines the lumen

Question 4

What is the connective tissue?

Answer 4

outer layer of tissue containing elastic fibres and a thick middle layer containing smooth muscle

Question 5

What is vasodilation?

Answer 5

relaxation of the smooth muscle surrounding the heart (increasing blood flow)

Question 6

What is vasoconstriction?

Answer 6

contracting of the smooth muscle surrounding the heart (decreasing blood flow)

Question 7

What is pressure filtration?

Answer 7

process which causes plasma to pass through the capillary walls into the tissue fluid surrounding the cells