08 Blood and the Cardiovascular System Free Online FlashCards

What are the three components of the cardiovascular system?

The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels. It transports materials and helps maintain homeostasis.

What is plasma, and what does it carry?

Plasma is the mostly water liquid portion of blood. It carries dissolved nutrients, hormones, salts, proteins, and wastes.

How do red blood cells carry oxygen and pass through capillaries?

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds oxygen. Their flexible, biconcave shape helps them pass through narrow capillaries.

What is a key role of white blood cells?

White blood cells help defend the body against infection and abnormal cells. Many can leave blood vessels and enter tissues where needed.

How do platelets help stop bleeding?

Platelets gather at a damaged vessel and work with plasma clotting proteins to form a clot that helps stop bleeding.

How do the roles of the atria and ventricles differ?

The atria receive blood, while the ventricles pump blood out of the heart.

Why is the left ventricle's muscular wall thicker?

The left ventricle has a thicker muscular wall because it must generate enough pressure to drive blood through the systemic circuit.

How are arteries and veins defined by blood-flow direction?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return blood to it. These terms describe direction, not oxygen content.

What do pulmonary arteries carry, and where do they take it?

Pulmonary arteries carry relatively oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs, despite being arteries.

What is the route of the systemic circuit?

The systemic circuit carries blood from the left ventricle through the aorta to the body, then returns it to the right atrium.

How do capillaries enable exchange between blood and tissues?

Capillaries have thin walls that allow substances to move between blood and nearby tissues. Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse down their concentration gradients.

How is much of the body's carbon dioxide transported to the lungs?

Much carbon dioxide is converted to bicarbonate in red blood cells and carried in plasma. In the lungs, carbon dioxide moves into the air spaces and is exhaled.