Physiology Quiz on Blood Flow and Heart Sounds

Local Blood Flow and Conditions Affecting It

• Local blood flow increases in response to various physiological conditions.
• Lack of vitamins does not stimulate an increase in local blood flow, unlike the other listed conditions.
• Conditions causing increased blood flow include:
  • Increased arterial pressure
  • High altitude, which can lead to physiological adaptations
  • Stretch-induced vascular depolarization, signaling the need for enhanced blood flow
  • Hyperpotassemia, which can affect vascular smooth muscle functioning

Heart Sounds Understanding

• Normal splitting of heart sounds primarily occurs during inspiration, not expiration.
• The 3rd heart sound is typically audible at the apex of the heart and indicates rapid ventricular filling.
• The 1st heart sound marks the beginning of ventricular systole rather than diastole.
• The 1st heart sound features two components attributed to the aortic and pulmonary valves, referred to as a split sound.
• Heart sounds can generally be heard using a stethoscope, but their clear audibility can vary based on several factors.

Pulse Pressure Insights

• Pulse pressure is not constant; it varies throughout the arterial tree based on various physiological factors.
• It is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, not an average.
• Pulse pressure increases with higher stroke volume, which reflects stronger heart contractions.

Blood Viscosity Influences

• Blood viscosity can be altered by the quantity of red blood cells and the content of plasma.
• The quantity of lymphocytes and vessel dimensions also impact blood viscosity.
• Blood flow rate does not significantly change blood viscosity.

Newtonian vs. Non-Newtonian Fluids

• Toothpaste, NaCl, and water are classified as Newtonian fluids, exhibiting constant viscosity regardless of flow conditions.
• Blood is categorized as a Non-Newtonian fluid due to its variable viscosity influenced by shear rate and cellular content.
• Plasma also displays Non-Newtonian characteristics, in contrast with Newtonian fluids.