the heart

Question 1

partial pressure of CO2 and O2

Answer 1

allows exchange

Question 2

CHD risk factors

Answer 2

• risk factors: age, smoking, gender, stress, exercise, diet, genes

Question 3

heart attack

Answer 3

blockage in a coronary artery > prevents flow of O2 > blood to that area > tissue dies, no O2 reaching it > heart cannot work effectively

Question 4

what is the process of blood flowing through the heart?

Answer 4

• blood enters from left and right atrium
• atria contract and blood goes to ventricles
• ventricles contract and force blood out of the heart

Question 5

where does the left pump blood?
what adaptation does it have for this?

Answer 5

around the entire body.
this is why it has thick muscular walls

Question 6

where does the right pump blood?

Answer 6

to the lungs

Question 7

adaptations of arteries (2)

Answer 7

• thick muscular walls
• elastic fibres stretch when blood surges through. they recoil between surges

Question 8

what do arteries do?

Answer 8

carry very high pressure blood from the heart to the lungs

Question 9

capillaries adaptations

Answer 9

very thin walls- short diffusion path.

Question 10

what do capillaries do?

Answer 10

when blood flows through them, substances like glucose and oxygen diffuse into bodily cells. CO2 diffuses from the cells into the blood

Question 11

what do veins do?

Answer 11

carry blood from the organs to the heart (at low pressure)

Question 12

veins adaptations

Answer 12

• thin wall because of low blood pressure
• many contain valves that open and close to prevent the backflow/stopping of blood.

Question 13

what are statins?

Answer 13

drugs which reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood

this slows down the rate of fatty materials building up in the arteries

Question 14

pros of statins

Answer 14

proven to reduce the risk of CHD

Question 15

cons of statins

Answer 15

cause liver problems

Question 16

what is a stent?

Answer 16

a metal tube inserted into the artery to keep blood flowing normally

Question 17

cons of a stent

Answer 17

• does not prevent other areas of the artery from narrowing
• does not treat underlying causes of CHD

Question 18

mechanical valves pros and cons

Answer 18

• risk of blood clots, anti clotting drugs are needed
• can last a lifetime :)

Question 19

pros and cons of animal valves

Answer 19

• may need to be replaced
• drugs not needed :)

Question 20

donated heart cons

Answer 20

• not enough hearts for every patient :(
• patient must take drugs to prevent rejection

Question 21

artificial heart cons

Answer 21

• risk of blood clotting
• can only be used in short term :(