SOC 15: Flashcards
(8 cards)
What makes up the cardiovascular system?
The cardiovascular system is formed by our heart and blood vessels. Cardio means the heart and vascular means blood vessels
What are the three main functions of the cardiovascular system?
Transports oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients
Clots blood
Controlling the body’s temperature
What is the significance of the cardiovascular system when transporting oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients?
The heart pumps oxygen around the body which is used in respiration and the production of energy in the cells
The harder the muscles work the harder the heart has to work
What is the significance of the cardiovascular system clotting blood?
Blood contains platelets which help clot our blood and form scabs which help stop bleeding.
What is vascular shunt?
Process that increases blood flow to active areas during exercise by diverting blood away from inactive areas, achieved by vasodilation and vasoconstriction
Blood is diverted from areas of the body to others
Usually from organs to the working muscles
What is the significance of the cardiovascular system controlling the body’s temperature?
If you get too hot the blood vessels close to the skin and get bigger ( vasodilation )
Blood is diverted to the skin to radiate heat out
If you become too cold your vessels get smaller ( vasoconstriction ) to avoid heat being lost
Vasodilation
A response to being too hot
Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels due to the relaxation of the blood vessel’s muscular walls
Vasoconstriction
A response to being too cold
Vasoconstriction is the narrowing (constriction) of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls
