SOC 15 - The Cardiovascular System Flashcards
(13 cards)
What makes up the cardiovascular system?
The cardiovascular system is formed by our heart and blood vessels. (Cardio = heart / vascular = blood vessels)
What are the three main functions of the cardiovascular system?
• transport oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients
• it helps blood to clot
• controls the body’s temperature
What is cardiovascular fitness?
“The ability to exercise the whole body for long periods of time”.
What is vascular shunting?
Process that increases blood flow to active areas during exercise by diverting blood away from inactive areas; achieved by vasodilation and vasoconstriction
Explain vascular shunting:
Exercise makes your body work harder. As a result, your muscles require more oxygen. To meet the demand your heart rate increases.
To bring about a change in your heart rate, your body releases a hormone called adrenaline. It makes the heart beat faster and diverts blood away from the organs and to the muscles (vascular shunting)
Explain how the cardiovascular system transports oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients around the body:
The heart pumps oxygen around the body, which is
used in respiration and the production of energy in
the cells.
How does the cardiovascular system help blood to clot?
Blood contains platelets which help clots our blood and form scabs which help stop bleeding and healing. In some sports small cuts are common and so this is important.
How does the cardiovascular system help to control the body’s temperature?
If you get too hot the blood vessels close to the skin
get bigger (vasodilation). Blood is diverted to the
surface to allow more heat to radiate out.
If you become too cold your vessels get smaller
(vasoconstriction) to avoid heat being lost.
What is the cardio-respiratory system?
the interaction of the heart and lungs to supply oxygen to muscles during exercise
What is vasodilation?
when veins swell up or dilate; widening of the internal diameter (lumen) of the blood vessel to allow increased blood flow.
What is vasoconstriction?
when veins shrink down; narrowing of the internal diameter (lumen) of the blood vessel to decrease blood flow.
What does cardio mean?
The heart
What does vascular mean
Blood vessels
