Unit 6 - Cardiovascular Physiology Flashcards
(294 cards)
why do we have a cardiovascular system?
- diffusion is not adequate to exchange nutrients/ waste to cells because the distance is too large
- circulation provides a steep concentration gradient in close proximity to every cell allowing for RAPID exchange of materials
what are hemodynamics?
looks at the laws that govern blood flow
what is the equation for flow?
F = (delta)P / R
where:
- F = flow
- (delta)P = pressure difference between two fixed points
- R = resistance to flow
true or false: to have flow, pressure must be greater than resistance
true
pressure exerted by a fluid
hydrostatic pressure
what happens if there is no pressure difference?
there will not be any flow. it is the pressure difference, not the absolute pressure, that creates flow
what creates blood flow?
a pressure gradient
cardiovascular pressure is created from:
contraction of heart chambers and pressure of blood on walls of blood vessels and heart chambers
friction between molecules of a flowing fluid
viscosity
determines the amount of contact between moving blood and stationary wall of vessel
length and diameter
in small blood vessels, there is less blood in the _______ and on the ________
center, vessel wall
in large blood vessels, there is more blood in the ______, which creates ______
center, less friction
what is poiseuilles equation?
R = (8nl) / (pi*r^4)
where:
- R = resistance to blood flow
- n = viscosity of blood
- l = length of vessel
- r = radius of vessel
true or false: poisseuilles equation applies to all types of blood flow
false, it only applies to laminar (smooth) blood flow
in fluid dynamics, __________ is characterized by fluid particles following smooth paths in layers, with each layer moving slowly
laminar flow
at forks in the blood vessels, is flow more laminar or turnbulent?
turbulent
what are the four main functions of the cardiovascular system?
1) delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products
2) fast chemical signalling to cells by circulating hormones and neurotransmitters
3) thermoregulation
4) mediation of inflammatory and host defense responses against invading microorganisms
what are the three main components of the cardiovascular system?
1) the heart
2) blood vessels
3) blood
small branching vessels with high resistance
arterioles
transport blood between small arteries and venules; exchange of materials
capillaries
carries blood with a mostly high oxygen content away from the heart
arteries
carries blood with mostly low oxygen content towards the heart
veins
what does it mean to have a closed circulatory system?
blood never leaves the vessels/ chambers of the heart
how many chambers are in the heart?
four. two atria, two ventricles