The Circulatory System Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is pulmonary circulation?
The path of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart, where blood becomes oxygenated
What is systemic circulation?
The path of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues
What is the function of the aorta?
The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body
What is the vena cava?
The largest veins in the body that return deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart. Superior (above neck) and inferior (below neck)
What are pulmonary arteries?
Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
What are pulmonary veins?
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart
What is the function of the right atrium?
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cava
What is the function of the right ventricle?
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through pulmonary arteries
What is the function of the left atrium?
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through pulmonary veins
What is the function of the left ventricle?
Pumps oxygenated blood to the body through the aorta
What is the function of heart valves?
To ensure one-way blood flow through the heart chambers and prevent backflow
What is cellular respiration?
The process by which cells break down glucose using oxygen to produce energy (ATP). Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + ATP
What are arteries?
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, usually oxygenated (except pulmonary arteries)
What are veins?
Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart, usually deoxygenated (except pulmonary veins)
What are capillaries?
Tiny blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues
What is vasoconstriction?
The narrowing of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure and reduces blood flow
What is vasodilation?
The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure and increases blood flow
What are red blood cells?
Blood cells that contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen throughout the body
What are white blood cells?
Blood cells that help fight infection and are part of the immune system
What are platelets?
Cell fragments in blood that help with blood clotting when injury occurs
What is plasma?
The liquid portion of blood that carries blood cells, nutrients, hormones, proteins, and waste
What is hemoglobin?
The protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and gives blood its red color
What is heart rate?
The number of times the heart beats per minute, typically 60-100 beats in adults at rest
What is the function of the circulatory system?
To move nutrients, hormones, oxygen and other gases to your body’s organs, muscles and tissues, to use for energy, growth and repair
