Cardio Physiology Basics Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

The primary function of the cardiovascular system is to support the fundamental processes of anabolism and catabolism at the macro level.

How does the cardiovascular system contribute to anabolism and catabolism at the macro level?

It delivers blood to tissues for anabolism and removes waste for catabolism.

What do the arteries carry? What do the veins carry? Regardless of what?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood toward the heart, regardless of oxygenation status.

What is systemic circulation? What is pulmonary circulation?

Systemic circulation is the flow of blood from the left heart to the tissues via the aorta; pulmonary circulation is from the right heart to the lungs via the pulmonary arteries. Signup and view all the answers

What is cardiac output? What is venous return? In the steady state, what is true about cardiac output from the right heart and from the left heart?

Cardiac output is the rate at which blood is pumped from the ventricles, and venous return is the rate blood returns to the atria; in steady state, cardiac output from the right heart equals that from the left heart. Signup and view all the answers

Blood flows from two ___ into the two _ through _______ .

atria, ventricles, atrioventricular valves. Signup and view all the answers

What are arteries? What is their function?

Arteries are the efferent conduits of the cardiovascular system, transporting oxygenated blood to the organs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the pulmonary artery? What is the largest artery in the body?

The pulmonary artery delivers deoxygenated blood to the lungs for reoxygenation; the largest artery is the aorta. Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of arteries and what do these features allow for?

Arteries have thick walls and significant amounts of connective and elastic tissue, allowing them to withstand high pressures. Signup and view all the answers

Arteries have significant amounts of ________ _ and _ ___ in arterial walls.

smooth muscle, elastic fibers. Signup and view all the answers

What are arterioles? Why are they significant?

Arterioles are the smallest branches of the arteries, significant for being the site of greatest resistance in the cardiovascular system. Signup and view all the answers

What innervates smooth muscle in arterioles? What does this result in?

Alpha-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors innervate smooth muscle in arterioles, resulting in a constant level of contraction. Signup and view all the answers

What does constriction of the arterioles produce?

Constriction of the arterioles produces increased resistance to blood flow. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the capillaries? Where does this occur in the lungs?

At the capillaries, nutrients, gases, and wastes are exchanged; this occurs between the alveoli and the blood in the lungs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiovascular System Functions

Supports anabolism and catabolism processes at the macro level.
Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues (anabolism); removes metabolic waste (catabolism).

Blood Flow Dynamics

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood towards the heart.
Blood flow direction is independent of oxygenation status in both arteries and veins.

Circulatory Pathways

Systemic circulation originates from the left heart, pumps blood to tissues via the aorta.
Pulmonary circulation moves blood from the right heart to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries.

Cardiac Output and Venous Return

Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped from the ventricles over time.
In a steady state, cardiac output from the right and left heart must be equal (CO = VR).
Venous return is the rate at which blood returns to the atria from veins.

Heart Structure and Function

The heart has four chambers; blood flows from the atria to the ventricles through atrioventricular valves.
Atrioventricular valves ensure one-way blood flow, preventing backward flow into atria.

Artery Characteristics

Arteries are efferent conduits delivering oxygenated blood; pulmonary arteries deliver deoxygenated blood to lungs.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, branching into smaller arteries.
Thick walls and elastic/connective tissue in arteries allow them to withstand high systemic pressure.

Arterioles and Resistance

Arterioles are the smallest branches before capillaries and are sites of greatest resistance in the cardiovascular system.
Smooth muscle in arterioles is innervated by adrenergic receptors, allowing adjustment of contraction based on sympathetic input.
Constriction of arterioles increases resistance to blood flow.

Capillary Exchange

Capillaries facilitate the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste between blood and tissues.
In lungs, gas exchange occurs between the alveoli and blood at capillaries.
Capillaries have thin walls, allowing free movement of substances according to concentration gradients; fenestrations permit selective passage.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the fundamental concepts of cardiovascular physiology with these flashcards. Explore the key functions and contributions of the cardiovascular system to metabolism at both macro and micro levels. Ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of this critical system.