CB8 Circulation Flashcards
(25 cards)
What are the 4 components of blood?
Red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma
What is plasma?
The liquid component of the blood in which the other components travel in.
What is the function of a red blood cell?
Transport oxygen in the blood.
What shape are red blood cells?
biconcave
What is the function of a white blood cell?
Remove pathogens in the blood.
Why are red blood cells biconcave?
To increase their surface area to increase the rate of diffusion of oxygen
What is the function of a platelet?
Clotting/ stopping bleeding
What is the function of an artery?
Transport blood away from the heart at high pressure.
What are the 2 specialisations of arteries?
Narrow lumen (hole for blood to flow though), thick muscular and elastic wall
What is the function of a vein?
Transport blood back to the heart at low pressure.
What are the 3 specialisations of veins?
Wide lumen, thin muscular and elastic wall, valves
What are the purpose of valves in veins?
To prevent blood flowing backwards
What is the function of a capillary?
Exchange substances between the blood and cells
What are the 2 specialisations of capillaries?
Wall is one cell thick, very narrow lumen
What are the 2 chambers of the heart?
Atria, ventricles
What are the 4 blood vessels attached to the heart?
Vena cava, aorta, pulmonary vein, pulmonary artery
When the atria contract, blood is forced into the…
Ventricles.
When the ventricles contract, blood is forced into the…
Pulmonary artery and aorta.
What is the equation for calculating cardiac output?
Cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate
What is cardiac output?
The volume of blood pushed into the aorta over a period of time.
What is the unit for cardiac output?
litres per minute (l/min)
What is the stroke volume?
The volume of blood pushed into the aorta in each beat of the heart.
What is the unit for stroke volume?
Litres (l)
What is the heart rate?
The number of times the heart beats in a minute.
