Cardiovascular System: Key Terms and Processes

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the role of troponin in muscle contraction?

It directly binds to actin, causing the filaments to shorten.
It provides the energy for the power stroke of the myosin head.
It blocks the active site on actin, preventing myosin from binding in a relaxed muscle.
It anchors tropomyosin to actin filaments and regulates myosin binding. (correct)

A patient is diagnosed with ventricular fibrillation. What is the primary issue occurring in the heart?

The ventricles are quivering erratically, resulting in ineffective blood pumping. (correct)
The ventricles are contracting too forcefully, leading to increased blood pressure.
The ventricles are contracting in a coordinated, but rapid, manner.
The ventricles are blocked, preventing blood from exiting the heart.

What is the fundamental difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle?

Cardiac muscle is under voluntary control, while skeletal muscle is involuntary.
Cardiac muscle cells are connected by intercalated discs, allowing for coordinated contraction, while skeletal muscle fibers are independent. (correct)
Cardiac muscle contains multiple nuclei per cell, while skeletal muscle contains only one.
Cardiac muscle uses only aerobic metabolism, while skeletal muscle uses only anaerobic metabolism.

If a patient's blood pressure is consistently high (hypertension), what long-term effect can this have on the heart?

Left ventricular hypertrophy due to increased afterload. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the baroreceptor reflex respond to a sudden drop in blood pressure?

By increasing heart rate and vasoconstriction. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the circle of Willis in the brain?

To provide an alternative route for blood flow to the brain if one of the major arteries is blocked. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of blood flow, what is the primary difference between laminar and turbulent flow?

Laminar flow is smooth and orderly, while turbulent flow is chaotic and irregular. (B) Signup and view all the answers

During cardiac muscle contraction, what is the role of the intrinsic conduction system?

To coordinate and synchronize the contraction of the atria and ventricles (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the angiotensin system in regulating blood pressure?

It raises blood pressure by promoting vasoconstriction and increasing sodium retention. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the three types of capillaries is characterized by having the leakiest structure, allowing for the passage of large molecules and even cells?

Sinusoidal capillaries (A) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fibrinogen to Fibrin

The conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin is the final step in the coagulation cascade, where soluble fibrinogen is converted into insoluble fibrin, forming a mesh that stabilizes a blood clot.

Clotting vs. Clumping

Clotting is the physiological process of forming a blood clot to stop bleeding, while clumping (agglutination) is the aggregation of cells or particles, often due to an immune response.

Increased Vascular Resistance

Increased resistance in a blood vessel leads to decreased blood flow and increased blood pressure, potentially causing hypertension and increased workload on the heart.

What is an ionotrope?

An ionotrope is an agent that alters the force or energy of muscular contractions. Negative ionotropes weaken the force of muscular contractions. Positive ionotropes increase the force of muscular contractions