BIOL 204 LECTURE EXAM 2 2026 PRACTICE
TEST PAPER METABOLISM AND CELLULAR
PROCESSES REVIEW SHEET FULL SOLUTIONS
◉ why is vessel radius more significant than length or viscosity in
determining resistance. Answer: resistance depends on the 4th
power of the radius, so even small cahnges in radius result in
exponential changes in resistance
◉ why does fetal circulation create strategic shortcuts (shunts)?.
Answer: because the fetus does not use lungs so blood must bypass
them and prioritize delivery to vital organs
◉ what is the primary characteristic of distributing (muscular)
arteries. Answer: distributing arteries have a thicker tunica media
with an abundant smooth muscle, allowing them to distribute blood
to specific organs and tissues
◉ how is blood pressure calculated. Answer: multiplying blood flow
by systemic vascular resistance
◉ how do arterioles differ from arteries in terms of function and
size. Answer: arterioles are smaller branches of arteries that
,regulate blood flow within organs, while arteries distribute blood to
various organs
◉ what is the role of pericytes in capillaries. Answer: Pericytes are
contractile cells that wrap around capillaries, providing structural
support and regulating blood flow.
◉ what causes vascular resistance. Answer: Vascular resistance
arises from friction between flowing blood and the inner lining of
the vessel (endothelium).
◉ what is capillary oncotic pressure (pic) and how does it affect
fluid movement. Answer: caused by plasma proteins like albumin
draws water into capillaries, favoring reabsorption
◉ how do increases in hematocrit impact both systemic and
vascular resistance and arterial pressure. Answer: higher hematocrit
raises blood viscosity, which increases systemic vascular resistance
and consequently elevates mean arterial pressure
◉ why does the tunica externa contain connective tissue like
collagen. Answer: collagen anchors blood vessels to surrounding
tissues and provides structural stability
, ◉ how do intrinsic factors differ from extrinsic factors in regulating
peripheral resistance. Answer: intrinsic factors regulate local blood
flow based on tissue needs, while extrinsic factors control systemic
vascular tone and arterial pressure
◉ what is blood flow. Answer: the volume of blood passing through
vessels per minute, measured in mL per min
◉ why does a larger pressure gradient increase blood flow. Answer:
a larger pressure difference creates a stronger driving force, pushing
more blood from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure
◉ what role does the lymphatic system play in capillary dynamics.
Answer: the lymphatic system collects excess fluid filtered out of
capillaries and returns it to the bloodstream
◉ what does high venous compliance mean. Answer: High
"compliance" in veins refers to their ability to expand significantly in
response to small increases in pressure, allowing them to hold large
volumes of blood at low pressure.
◉ which layer in elastic arteries allows them to stretch and recoil.
Answer: tunica media, rich in elastin, enables elastic arteries to
stretch during systole and recoil during diastole
TEST PAPER METABOLISM AND CELLULAR
PROCESSES REVIEW SHEET FULL SOLUTIONS
◉ why is vessel radius more significant than length or viscosity in
determining resistance. Answer: resistance depends on the 4th
power of the radius, so even small cahnges in radius result in
exponential changes in resistance
◉ why does fetal circulation create strategic shortcuts (shunts)?.
Answer: because the fetus does not use lungs so blood must bypass
them and prioritize delivery to vital organs
◉ what is the primary characteristic of distributing (muscular)
arteries. Answer: distributing arteries have a thicker tunica media
with an abundant smooth muscle, allowing them to distribute blood
to specific organs and tissues
◉ how is blood pressure calculated. Answer: multiplying blood flow
by systemic vascular resistance
◉ how do arterioles differ from arteries in terms of function and
size. Answer: arterioles are smaller branches of arteries that
,regulate blood flow within organs, while arteries distribute blood to
various organs
◉ what is the role of pericytes in capillaries. Answer: Pericytes are
contractile cells that wrap around capillaries, providing structural
support and regulating blood flow.
◉ what causes vascular resistance. Answer: Vascular resistance
arises from friction between flowing blood and the inner lining of
the vessel (endothelium).
◉ what is capillary oncotic pressure (pic) and how does it affect
fluid movement. Answer: caused by plasma proteins like albumin
draws water into capillaries, favoring reabsorption
◉ how do increases in hematocrit impact both systemic and
vascular resistance and arterial pressure. Answer: higher hematocrit
raises blood viscosity, which increases systemic vascular resistance
and consequently elevates mean arterial pressure
◉ why does the tunica externa contain connective tissue like
collagen. Answer: collagen anchors blood vessels to surrounding
tissues and provides structural stability
, ◉ how do intrinsic factors differ from extrinsic factors in regulating
peripheral resistance. Answer: intrinsic factors regulate local blood
flow based on tissue needs, while extrinsic factors control systemic
vascular tone and arterial pressure
◉ what is blood flow. Answer: the volume of blood passing through
vessels per minute, measured in mL per min
◉ why does a larger pressure gradient increase blood flow. Answer:
a larger pressure difference creates a stronger driving force, pushing
more blood from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure
◉ what role does the lymphatic system play in capillary dynamics.
Answer: the lymphatic system collects excess fluid filtered out of
capillaries and returns it to the bloodstream
◉ what does high venous compliance mean. Answer: High
"compliance" in veins refers to their ability to expand significantly in
response to small increases in pressure, allowing them to hold large
volumes of blood at low pressure.
◉ which layer in elastic arteries allows them to stretch and recoil.
Answer: tunica media, rich in elastin, enables elastic arteries to
stretch during systole and recoil during diastole
