B3.2 Transport Flashcards
(103 cards)
From where do capillaries receive their blood from?
They receive their blood from the smallest arteries called arterioles. Within body tissues and arteriole branches into what is called a capillary bed
What is a capillary bed?
This is a network of capillaries that all receive blood from the same arteriole. There are millions of arterioles and capillary beds in your body.
Draw a capillary bed, including the venule + arteriole
Where will the capillary bed drain it’s blood to?
It will drain its blood into the smallest of veins, called a venule
What is the lumen of a capillary?
The lumen is the inside diameter of a capillary, which is only large enough to accommodate one blood cell at a time
What is the structure of a capillary?
A capillary consists of a single-cell-thick inner tissue and a single-cell-thick outer tissue, making it highly permeable
Why are capillaries highly permeable?
Their thin, single-cell layers allow substances to pass through the membranes or between the membrane layers
What is highly vascular tissue?
Tissue that is enriched with capillary beds, often found in metabolically active parts of the body
What is the function of capillaries in tissues?
They exchange molecules between the blood and surrounding tissues. They also function like this in the lungs and gills
What are fenestrated capillaries?
These are capillaries with small slits or openings (fenestrations) that allow for increased permeability to larger molecules
Where are fenestrated capillaries commonly found?
In the kidneys + intestines, where rapid movement of molecules is necessary
How are capillaries adapted to their function?
- Having a small inside diameter
- Being thin walled
- Being permeable
- having a large surface area
- having fenestrations (in some)
How are arteries and veins identified?
They are identifies according to whether the vessel receives blood from the heart and takes that blood to a capillary bed (artery) or receives blood from a capillary bed and takes that blood back to the heart (vein)
Why are arteries lined with a thick layer of smooth muscle and elastic fibres?
This is because arteries receive blood directly from the heart and the blood is under relatively high pressure
Why are veins thin walled with a large lumen?
The lumen or arteries is relatively small compared to veins. Veins receive low pressure blood from capillary beds. They have this structure, with a large lumen to carry the slow-moving blood
What are arteries adapted to do?
This is to transport high pressure blood away from the heart.
How does the heart contribute to blood movement in arteries?
The heart contracts and relaxes rhythmically, sending surges of blood into arteries
What type of muscle is found in the walls of arteries?
Arteries contain a thick layer of smooth muscle
What controls the smooth muscle in arteries?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) which regulates involuntary body functions. ANS = a part of nervous system that controls involuntary body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiratory rate. It regulates smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands without conscious control
How does smooth muscle in arteries help regulate blood pressure?
It changes the lumen diameter of arteries, controlling blood flow and pressure
Which proteins contribute to arterial elasticity?
Elastic and collagen
How do elastin and collagen help arteries withstand blood pressure?
They allow arteries to stretch when blood is pumped in and recoil after the surge, maintaining continuous blood movement
Why do arteries need to maintain high pressure?
High pressure ensures continuous blood flow between heartbeats
Where can you measure your own heartbeat?
- The carotid artery -> this is on either side of your trachea in your neck
- The radial artery -> this is on your wrist
What is pulse rate, and how is it felt in an artery?
Pulse (heart) rate is the number of heartbeats per minute. It is felt as a surge of pressure in an artery each time the heart contracts and pumps blood