SEHS Test Chapter A.1.3 Transport Flashcards
(16 cards)
Explain gas exchange
Gas exchange is a vital process where oxygen is absorbed into the body and carbon dioxide is removed. This occurs mainly in the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs in the lungs surrounded by capillaries. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli, where its concentration is high, into the blood, where its concentration is lower. At the same time, carbon dioxide moves from the blood, where its concentration is high, into the alveoli to be exhaled. This movement of gases happens through diffusion, driven by concentration gradients. Gas exchange is essential for supplying oxygen to cells for respiration and removing the waste gas carbon dioxide to maintain homeostasis.
Explain the respiratory system
The respiratory system is responsible for the intake of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide from the body. It consists of structures including the nose, trachea, lungs, and alveoli, which are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. Air enters the body through the nose or mouth, passes down the trachea, and reaches the lungs. In the alveoli, oxygen diffuses into the bloodstream while carbon dioxide diffuses out to be exhaled. The diaphragm and other respiratory muscles control breathing by changing the volume of the chest cavity, allowing air to move in and out. Overall, the respiratory system is crucial for delivering oxygen to cells and removing waste gases to maintain homeostasis.
Explain the pulmonary gas exchange
Pulmonary gas exchange occurs in the lungs, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged between the air and the blood. This process takes place in the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs surrounded by capillaries. Oxygen from the inhaled air diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli into the blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli to be exhaled. The movement of gases happens due to differences in concentration, with oxygen moving from a high concentration in the alveoli to a lower concentration in the blood, and carbon dioxide moving in the opposite direction. This exchange is essential for supplying oxygen to the body’s cells and removing carbon dioxide, a waste product. Without pulmonary gas exchange, the body would not be able to maintain proper cellular function and homeostasis.
Discuss ventilation during exercise
During exercise, ventilation increases in both rate and depth to meet the body’s elevated oxygen demands. Muscles consume more oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide, which is detected by chemoreceptors in the brain and blood vessels. In response, the respiratory system increases breathing rate and tidal volume to supply more oxygen and remove excess carbon dioxide. This adjustment helps maintain the proper gas balance in the blood, supporting enhanced energy production through aerobic respiration. Additionally, deeper and faster breaths aid in cooling the body by increasing airflow over the moist surfaces of the lungs. Overall, ventilation rapidly adapts during exercise to ensure the body functions efficiently.
Discuss the Cardiovascular System (blood)
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels, which work together to transport oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. Oxygen-rich blood is carried from the lungs to the body’s cells, while carbon dioxide is transported back to the lungs to be exhaled. Blood also delivers essential nutrients and hormones, and plays a key role in immune defense. The heart pumps blood through arteries, veins, and capillaries, ensuring it reaches all body tissues. During exercise, blood flow increases to meet the higher oxygen demands of muscles and to remove metabolic waste. Overall, the cardiovascular system is vital for maintaining health and supporting physical activity.
Describe circulation
Circulation is the continuous movement of blood throughout the body, driven by the heart and blood vessels. It consists of two main pathways: pulmonary circulation, which moves blood between the heart and lungs, and systemic circulation, which transports blood between the heart and the rest of the body. In pulmonary circulation, blood gains oxygen and releases carbon dioxide in the lungs. During systemic circulation, oxygen-rich blood is delivered to body tissues while waste products are collected for removal. The heart’s pumping action maintains this flow, ensuring that cells receive the oxygen and nutrients they require. Efficient circulation is essential for maintaining overall health and proper body function.
Describe the difference between pulmonary circulation and systematic circulation
Pulmonary circulation is the process that moves blood between the heart and the lungs. It transports oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs, where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. The oxygen-rich blood then returns to the heart. In contrast, systemic circulation carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues. It also returns oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Both circulatory systems work together to ensure continuous blood flow and maintain oxygen supply throughout the body.
Explain the cardiac cycle
The cardiac cycle is the series of events that occur with each heartbeat, involving two main phases: diastole and systole. During diastole, the heart muscles relax, allowing the atria and ventricles to fill with blood. Then, during systole, the heart muscles contract, forcing blood out of the ventricles into the arteries, the pulmonary artery to the lungs and the aorta to the rest of the body. This process ensures continuous circulation of blood throughout the body. The timing of these contractions is controlled by electrical signals that coordinate the heart’s activity. Overall, the cardiac cycle is essential for maintaining efficient blood flow and supplying oxygen to tissues.
Explain how blood pressure functions
Blood pressure is the force that blood applies to the walls of blood vessels as the heart pumps it throughout the body. It reaches its highest point during systole, when the heart contracts and pushes blood into the arteries, and is lowest during diastole, when the heart relaxes between beats. Blood pressure is crucial for circulating blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues. Baroreceptors, which are pressure sensors, detect changes in blood pressure and send signals to the brain to regulate heart rate or adjust the diameter of blood vessels. If blood pressure becomes too high or too low, the body activates mechanisms to restore it to a healthy level. Maintaining stable blood pressure is essential for cardiovascular health and proper body function.
Explain how blood flow distribution functions
Blood flow distribution refers to how the body directs blood to different organs and tissues according to their needs. At rest, most blood is sent to the digestive system and organs responsible for basic bodily functions. However, during exercise, blood flow is redirected primarily to the muscles, skin, and heart to provide extra oxygen and nutrients. This process is controlled by the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, which are regulated by the nervous system and chemical signals in the body. The body can rapidly adjust blood flow to respond to changing demands, such as physical activity or temperature variations. Effective blood flow distribution is essential for ensuring organs function properly and maintaining overall balance in the body.
Describe cardiac output
Cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute and is calculated by multiplying the heart rate by the stroke volume, which is the amount of blood pumped with each beat. During exercise, both heart rate and stroke volume increase, causing cardiac output to rise and deliver more oxygen to the working muscles. This increase allows the body to meet higher energy demands efficiently. The heart automatically adjusts cardiac output depending on the body’s needs at any given time. Maintaining a healthy cardiac output is essential for overall cardiovascular health and optimal physical performance.
Explain the difference between arteries, veins and capillaries
The three main types of blood vessels in the body are arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body and have thick, muscular walls to withstand high pressure. Veins return oxygen-poor blood back to the heart and contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backward. Capillaries are very small and have thin walls that allow oxygen and nutrients to pass from the blood into the body’s cells, while waste products move from the cells into the blood. They connect arteries to veins and enable the exchange of materials between blood and tissues. Each type of blood vessel plays an essential role in circulation and maintaining overall health.
Describe stroke volume
Stroke volume is the amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle with each heartbeat. It is influenced by the volume of blood filling the heart before contraction and the strength of the heart’s contraction. During exercise, stroke volume increases to deliver more oxygen-rich blood to the working muscles. Factors such as cardiovascular fitness, heart health, and total blood volume affect stroke volume. A higher stroke volume indicates that the heart is pumping more efficiently. Stroke volume, together with heart rate, determines cardiac output, which is crucial for meeting the body’s oxygen demands.
Explain the difference between static and dynamic exercise
Static exercise involves muscle contractions where the muscle length does not change, such as holding a plank position. This type of exercise is effective for building muscular strength and endurance but can cause an increase in blood pressure because the contracting muscles compress blood vessels. In contrast, dynamic exercise includes repeated muscle movements and joint motion, like running or cycling, which enhances cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. During dynamic exercise, blood flow increases to deliver more oxygen to the working muscles. Both static and dynamic exercises are important for overall fitness but affect the body in different ways. Static exercise primarily improves strength, while dynamic exercise mainly benefits endurance and cardiovascular health.
Explain the distribution of blood during exercise
During exercise, blood flow is redirected to meet the body’s increased demands for oxygen and nutrients. A greater volume of blood is sent to the working muscles to support their heightened activity. At the same time, blood flow to less active areas, such as the digestive system, is temporarily reduced. The heart responds by pumping faster and with more force to increase overall circulation. Additionally, blood vessels near the skin dilate to help dissipate heat and regulate body temperature. This efficient redistribution of blood supports both enhanced physical performance and thermal balance during exercise.
