Cardiovascular System
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What are the 4 chambers in the heart?
Right atrium, Right ventricle Left atrium, Left ventricle
Function of the right atrium
Receives deoxygenated blood from the body (via vena cava)
Function of the right ventricle
Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs (via pulmonary artery)
Function of the left atrium
Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs (via pulmonary vein)
Function of the left ventricle
Pumps oxygenated blood into the body (via the aorta)
Why is the wall of the left ventricle thicker than the right ventricle wall ?
It must generate higher pressure to pump blood around the whole body
What are the 3 main types of blood vessels
Arteries, capillaries & veins
Structural features of arteries
Thick muscular walls Small lumen Elastic fibres
Main function of arteries
To carry blood away from the heart
How does the structure of arteries help them maintain blood pressure
Thick muscle and elastic fibres allow them to stretch and recoil
What is elastic recoil ?
The artery wall returning to its original shape after stretching, which helps maintain pressure
What are arterioles
Small branches of arteries that control blood flow into capillaries
How do arterioles control blood flow
Vasoconstriction (narrowing) Vasodilation (widening)
Structural features of veins
Thin walls Large lumen Valves
Main function of veins
To carry blood back to the heart
Why is blood pressure low in veins
Blood has already passed through capillaries, losing pressure
How do veins return blood to the heart at low pressure
Skeletal muscle contraction and valves prevent backflow
Main function of capillaries
Allows exchange of gases and nutrients between blood and tissue
Why are capillary walls only one cell thick
To allow diffusion
Why do red blood cells travel slowly through capillaries
Narrow lumen slows down the flow of red blood cells , which increases time for exchange (e.g diffusion)
What 2 substances diffuse out of capillaries into tissue ?
Oxygen and glucose
Which blood vessel has the thickest wall
Artery
Which blood vessel has valves
Vein
Which blood vessel has the thinnest wall
Capillary