Cardiovascular System

Question 1

What is the Cardiovascular System?

Answer 1

The cardiovascular system (CVS) is made up of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. Its job is to transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and remove waste (like carbon dioxide)

Question 2

Structure of the heart
4 chamberss

Answer 2

Top: Right atrium, Left atrium

Bottom: Right ventricle, Left ventricle

Valves: Stop backflow of blood (e.g. tricuspid, bicuspid)

Question 3

Structure of the heart 4 chamber 2

Answer 3

Wall: Made of cardiac muscle (works non-stop!)

Right side: Sends blood to lungs

Left side: Sends blood to body (stronger side)

Question 4

Cardiac cycle (heart beat)
It has 3 steps

Answer 4

1 heartbeat = one cardiac cycle
Steps:
1. Atria contract – push blood into ventricles

2. Ventricles contract – push blood to lungs/body
3. Heart relaxes – refills with blood

Question 5

Heart Rate, Stroke Volume, Cardiac Output-1

Answer 5

Heart Rate (HR): Beats per minute (bpm)

Stroke Volume (SV): Amount of blood pumped per beat

Cardiac Output = HR × SV (blood pumped per minute)

Question 6

Heart regulation

Answer 6

Controlled by nervous system and hormones (like adrenaline)

Increases with exercise or stress

Question 7

5. Blood Pressure (BP)

Answer 7

The pressure of blood on artery walls

Measured in mmHg (e.g. 120/80)

Systolic = during heart contraction

Diastolic = during heart relaxation

Question 8

Blood vessels- Arteries

Answer 8

Carry blood away from the heart

Thick, muscular, and elastic walls

Blood under high pressure

No valves (except in pulmonary artery and aorta)

Question 9

Blood vessels-Arterioles

Answer 9

Smaller branches of arteries

Control blood flow into capillaries

Have smooth muscle to adjust diameter

Question 10

Blood vessels- capillaries

Answer 10

• Tiny, one-cell thick walls

Allow exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste

Connect arterioles to venules

Very narrow – blood cells pass through one at a time

Question 11

Blood vessels- venules

Answer 11

Small veins that collect blood from capillaries

Carry blood towards larger veins

Question 12

Blood vessels-veins

Answer 12

Carry blood towards the heart

Thinner walls than arteries

Have valves to prevent backflow

Blood under low pressure

Question 13

Pulmonary circulation

Answer 13

Heart → Lungs → Heart (for gas exchange)

Other option:

right ventricle → lungs → left atrium

Question 14

Systemic circulation

Answer 14

Heart → Body → Heart (delivers oxygen and nutrients)

left ventricle → body → right atrium

Question 15

Blood structure and function

Answer 15

Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Carry oxygen (contain haemoglobin)

White Blood Cells (WBCs): Fight infection

Platelets: Help blood clot

Plasma: Carries hormones, nutrients, CO₂(carbon dioxide) waste

Question 16

Disorders of Cardiovascular system- CHD-Coronary heart disease

Answer 16

Caused by blocked coronary arteries (due to fat build-up/plaque)

Reduces oxygen supply to the heart muscle

Can lead to chest pain (angina) or heart attacks

Question 17

Disorders of Cardiovascular system-
Stroke

Answer 17

Caused by a blocked or burst artery in the brain

Stops oxygen reaching part of the brain

Can lead to brain damage, problems with speech, movement, or memory

Question 18

Disorders of Cardiovascular system- anaemia

Answer 18

Caused by too few red blood cells or low haemoglobin

Less oxygen is carried in the blood

Symptoms: tiredness, dizziness, pale skin

Question 19

Disorders of Cardiovascular system-Hypertension

Answer 19

Blood pressure is consistently too high

Puts strain on the heart and blood vessels

Increases risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage