Exam 1 Review - Blood, Heart, and Circulation

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the exam review sheet related to blood, heart anatomy and physiology, and the cardiovascular system.

What are the functions of blood?

Transportation, regulation, and protection.

What is the composition of whole blood?

Whole blood consists of plasma and formed elements: erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Why is blood classified as connective tissue?

Because it has a common origin in mesoderm and consists of cells suspended in a matrix (plasma).

What is the pH of blood?

Approximately 7.35 to 7.45.

What comprises plasma?

Water, electrolytes, proteins, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

What are the functions of plasma?

Transportation of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products; regulation of pH and osmotic pressure.

What is the structure of erythrocytes?

Biconcave discs that are anucleate and contain hemoglobin.

What is the function of erythrocytes?

To transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What is hemoglobin composed of?

Globin (protein) and heme (iron-containing pigment).

What is a disorder caused by abnormalities of erythrocytes?

Anemia, which occurs when there are insufficient erythrocytes or hemoglobin.

What are leukocytes?

White blood cells involved in the immune response.

What are the classes of leukocytes?

Granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) and agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes).

How are leukocytes produced?

In bone marrow through hematopoiesis.

What is an example of a leukocyte disorder?

Leukemia, characterized by the production of abnormal white blood cells.

What are platelets and their function?

Cell fragments that play a key role in hemostasis (blood clotting).

What is the process of hemostasis?

The process of stopping bleeding through vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

What factors limit clot formation?

Antithrombotic substances like antithrombin, healthy endothelium, and adequate blood flow.

What is an example of a hemostatic disorder?

Hemophilia, caused by a deficiency in clotting factors.

What are the ABO blood groups?

Blood groups A, B, AB, and O, determined by the presence of antigens on erythrocytes.

What is the Rh blood group?

A blood group that is positive if the Rh factor is present and negative if absent.

What is the basis of transfusion reactions?

Reactions that occur when the recipient's immune system attacks transfused blood that has incompatible antigens.

What fluids are used to replace blood volume?

Crystalloids like saline and colloids like albumin.

What is the diagnostic importance of blood testing?

It helps identify blood disorders, infections, and other diseases.

What tests might be helpful in diagnosing blood disorders?

Complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry tests, and blood typing.

What are the effects of changes outside the normal blood pH?

Acidosis or alkalosis can disrupt physiological processes and impair function.

What is the size and shape of the heart?

Approximately the size of a fist, shaped like an inverted cone.

Where is the heart located in the thorax?

In the mediastinum, between the lungs.

What are the coverings of the heart?

The fibrous pericardium and serous pericardium.

What are the three layers of the heart wall?

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

What are the four chambers of the heart?

Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

What is the function of the heart valves?

To ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart.

What are the great vessels associated with the heart?

Aorta, pulmonary trunk, superior and inferior vena cava, and pulmonary veins.

What is the pathway of blood through the heart?

From the body to the right atrium, right ventricle, lungs, left atrium, left ventricle, and out to the body.

What are the coronary arteries?

The arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself.

What is the difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle?

Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated, and has intercalated discs, while skeletal muscle is voluntary.

What is excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle?

The process of electrical stimulation leading to muscle contraction.

What are the action potentials in cardiac pacemaker cells?

Initiate heartbeats and regulate heart rhythm.

What are the components of the conduction system of the heart?

Sinoatrial (SA) node, atrioventricular (AV) node, bundle of His, and Purkinje fibers.

What does an electrocardiogram (ECG) tracing represent?

Electrical activity of the heart during the cardiac cycle.

What are normal heart sounds?

Sounds produced by the closure of heart valves; 'lub' and 'dub'.

What are heart murmurs?

Abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow.

What factors regulate stroke volume?

Preload, afterload, and contractility.

What role does the autonomic nervous system play in cardiac output?

It modulates heart rate and contractility.

How do you calculate cardiac output?

Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume.

What is vascular anastomoses?

Connections between blood vessels that provide alternative pathways for blood flow.

What distinguishes the systemic circuit from the pulmonary circuit?

Systemic circuit carries oxygenated blood to the body, while the pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What are the layers of a blood vessel wall?

Tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica externa.

What is vasoconstriction?

Narrowing of blood vessels due to muscle contraction.

What is vasodilation?

Widening of blood vessels due to muscle relaxation.

What are the three types of arteries?

Elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles.

What is the function of a capillary bed?

Facilitates exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes between blood and tissues.

What are the differences between veins and arteries?

Veins carry blood toward the heart and have thinner walls; arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thicker walls.

What is blood flow?

The volume of blood moving through a vessel, organ, or the entire circulation in a given period.

What is blood pressure?

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

What is resistance in the context of blood circulation?

The opposition to blood flow within vessels.

How does blood pressure vary in different vessels?

Highest in arteries, lower in capillaries, and lowest in veins.

What factors influence blood pressure?

Cardiac output, blood volume, resistance, and vessel elasticity.

What is hypertension?

Chronic high blood pressure.

What is capillary exchange?

The process of exchanging materials between blood and tissues through capillary walls.

What is the pulmonary circuit?

The pathway through which deoxygenated blood is sent to the lungs for oxygenation.

What are the general functions of the systemic circuit?

To deliver oxygenated blood to tissues and return deoxygenated blood to the heart.

What is MALT?

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, a component of the immune system found in mucosal sites.

What is the thymus?

A lymphoid organ that produces T-cells for the immune system.