6 The Cardiovascular System Free Online FlashCards

What structures make up the cardiovascular system, and what does it do?

The heart, blood vessels, and blood circulate materials, carry wastes away, help regulate internal conditions, and support defense and clotting.

What is the role of the atria?

The atria are the heart’s upper chambers; they receive blood entering the heart.

What is the myocardium?

The myocardium is the heart’s contracting muscle.

How do heart valves help direct blood flow?

Heart valves help keep blood moving forward by closing to limit backward flow.

How do arteries and veins differ in blood-flow direction?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood toward it. These terms describe direction, not necessarily oxygen content.

How do arterioles help regulate blood flow?

Arterioles are small arteries whose smooth muscle can narrow or widen them, helping regulate blood flow to tissues.

What happens across capillary walls?

Capillaries have very thin walls and are the main sites where gases, nutrients, and wastes pass between blood and tissues.

What is the purpose of pulmonary circulation?

Pulmonary circulation carries blood between the heart and lungs. Blood releases carbon dioxide and takes up oxygen in the lungs.

What is the purpose of systemic circulation?

Systemic circulation carries blood between the heart and the rest of the body, delivering it to tissues and returning it to the heart.

What is plasma, and what does it transport?

Plasma is blood’s liquid portion, made mostly of water; it transports blood cells and substances such as nutrients, hormones, proteins, and wastes.

What is the role of the ventricles?

The ventricles are the lower chambers; they pump blood out of the heart.

What is the main transport role of red blood cells?

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries most oxygen from the lungs to tissues and helps transport some carbon dioxide toward the lungs.