B IO 202: Car diovascu lar System
Qu estions and an sw er s w ith
accu r ate r ationales(PASSED)
What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?
Why is the cardiovascular system important to maintain homeostasis? -
answer The main function of the cardiovascular system is to circulate
blood through a network of vessels throughout the body to provide
individual cells with oxygen and nutrients, as well as help dispose of
metabolic wastes.
What structures make up the cardiovascular system? Briefly describe
each function. - answer The cardiovascular system is made up of only
the heart and blood vessels. The heart is a double pump, so it pumps
blood into the pulmonary circuit & the systemic circuit. The pulmonary
circuit is on the right side of the heart. It carries blood to the lungs for
gas exchange. The systemic circuit is on the left side of the heart. It
supplies blood to all organs of the body. The blood vessels are in charge
of circulating the blood.
What are the different layers of the heart wall?
What is the function of each layer? - answer EPICARDIUM (VISCERAL
PERICARDIUM): serous membrane that covers the heart
,MYOCARDIUM: thick muscular layer of the heart; fibrous skeleton -
network of elastic fibers → provides structural support, attachment for
cardiac muscle, & electrical insulation
ENDOCARDIUM: smooth inner lining
What are the different layers of the wall of blood vessels?
What is the function of each layer? - answer TUNICA EXTERNA:
outermost connective tissue layer
TUNICA MEDIA: middle smooth muscle layer
TUNICA INTERNA: smooth layer that repels blood cells platelets (coated
with prostacyclin which inhibit clotting)
Describe the flow of blood through the body, lungs, and heart. - answer
Deoxygenated blood enters through the superior and Inferior Vena Cava
→ Right atrium → Tricuspid AV valve → Right ventricle → Pulmonary
semilunar valve → Pulmonary trunk → Lungs = Gas exchange of oxygen
and CO2
, Oxygenated blood enters through pulmonary veins → Left atrium →
Mitral AV valve → Left ventricle → Aortic semilunar valve → Aorta
Why is dynamic and parallel blood flow through the systemic circuits
important? - answer Blood flow is dynamic & is catered to one's body's
current needs.
A parallel arrangement of vessels greatly reduces resistance to blood
flow.
How does blood flow through the systemic circuit change during
activity? Why? - answer During exercise, there is increased perfusion of
lungs, myocardium, and skeletal muscles. There is also decreased
perfusion of kidneys and digestive tract. This is because blood flow is
dynamic & is catered to one's body's current needs.
Explain the significance of the intercalated discs connecting the
cardiomyocytes.
What two different types of intercellular junctions are found within
intercalated discs?
What do these junctions do? - answer Intercalated disks are specialized
connections that join myocytes end to end.
Qu estions and an sw er s w ith
accu r ate r ationales(PASSED)
What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?
Why is the cardiovascular system important to maintain homeostasis? -
answer The main function of the cardiovascular system is to circulate
blood through a network of vessels throughout the body to provide
individual cells with oxygen and nutrients, as well as help dispose of
metabolic wastes.
What structures make up the cardiovascular system? Briefly describe
each function. - answer The cardiovascular system is made up of only
the heart and blood vessels. The heart is a double pump, so it pumps
blood into the pulmonary circuit & the systemic circuit. The pulmonary
circuit is on the right side of the heart. It carries blood to the lungs for
gas exchange. The systemic circuit is on the left side of the heart. It
supplies blood to all organs of the body. The blood vessels are in charge
of circulating the blood.
What are the different layers of the heart wall?
What is the function of each layer? - answer EPICARDIUM (VISCERAL
PERICARDIUM): serous membrane that covers the heart
,MYOCARDIUM: thick muscular layer of the heart; fibrous skeleton -
network of elastic fibers → provides structural support, attachment for
cardiac muscle, & electrical insulation
ENDOCARDIUM: smooth inner lining
What are the different layers of the wall of blood vessels?
What is the function of each layer? - answer TUNICA EXTERNA:
outermost connective tissue layer
TUNICA MEDIA: middle smooth muscle layer
TUNICA INTERNA: smooth layer that repels blood cells platelets (coated
with prostacyclin which inhibit clotting)
Describe the flow of blood through the body, lungs, and heart. - answer
Deoxygenated blood enters through the superior and Inferior Vena Cava
→ Right atrium → Tricuspid AV valve → Right ventricle → Pulmonary
semilunar valve → Pulmonary trunk → Lungs = Gas exchange of oxygen
and CO2
, Oxygenated blood enters through pulmonary veins → Left atrium →
Mitral AV valve → Left ventricle → Aortic semilunar valve → Aorta
Why is dynamic and parallel blood flow through the systemic circuits
important? - answer Blood flow is dynamic & is catered to one's body's
current needs.
A parallel arrangement of vessels greatly reduces resistance to blood
flow.
How does blood flow through the systemic circuit change during
activity? Why? - answer During exercise, there is increased perfusion of
lungs, myocardium, and skeletal muscles. There is also decreased
perfusion of kidneys and digestive tract. This is because blood flow is
dynamic & is catered to one's body's current needs.
Explain the significance of the intercalated discs connecting the
cardiomyocytes.
What two different types of intercellular junctions are found within
intercalated discs?
What do these junctions do? - answer Intercalated disks are specialized
connections that join myocytes end to end.
