Your Heart & Circulatory System Quiz

Study Notes

The heart beats approximately 60 to 100 times per minute, functioning as a pump to circulate blood.
Blood carries oxygen to body cells and returns to the heart after delivering oxygen.
The heart sends blood to the lungs to refill with oxygen, repeating this cycle continuously.

Composed of blood vessels that transport blood to and from the heart.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return blood to the heart.
Circulatory system delivers oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells, removing waste such as carbon dioxide.
Blood flows in one direction within this system to ensure proper circulation.

The heart has four chambers: two atria (upper) and two ventricles (lower).
Right ventricle and left ventricle are responsible for pumping blood out of the heart.
Right atrium and left atrium receive blood entering the heart.
Interventricular septum separates the ventricles, and interatrial septum separates the atria.

Atrioventricular valves separate the atria from the ventricles:
- Tricuspid valve between right atrium and right ventricle.
- Mitral valve between left atrium and left ventricle.
Outflow valves separate the ventricles from large blood vessels:
- Pulmonic valve between right ventricle and pulmonary artery.
- Aortic valve between left ventricle and aorta.

Two primary circulatory pathways emerge from the heart:
- Pulmonary circulation involves a short loop to the lungs and back to the heart.
- Systemic circulation carries oxygen-rich blood to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the heart.
In pulmonary circulation, blood travels via the pulmonary artery, exchanges carbon dioxide for oxygen in the lungs, and returns through pulmonary veins.
In systemic circulation, oxygenated blood leaves the heart through the aorta, branching off to supply the entire body.

Capillaries connect small arteries to small veins, enabling nutrient and oxygen delivery to cells.
Waste products are collected by capillaries, leading into small veins.
Blood flows through progressively larger veins towards the heart, equipped with valves to maintain proper blood direction.
Superior vena cava brings blood from above the heart, while inferior vena cava brings blood from below.

The heart adjusts its pumping rate based on body signals for oxygen demand.
During restful states, the heart pumps less; during physical activity, it increases blood flow to meet heightened oxygen needs.