BIOL 117 Exam 1 Study Guide

What structures are involved in the exterior of the heart?

Auricles, Great Vessels (Superior and Inferior Vena Cavae, Pulmonary Trunk, Pulmonary Veins, Aorta)

What is the function of the Superior and Inferior Vena Cavae?

They drain deoxygenated blood into the right atrium.

What is the role of the Aorta?

The aorta pumps oxygenated blood to the body from the left ventricle.

What chambers compose the heart?

Right Atrium, Right Ventricle, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle.

What separates the right atrium from the right ventricle?

The Right Atrioventricular (AV) Valve.

What are the layers of the heart?

Endocardium, Myocardium, Epicardium.

What is the primary function of the myocardium?

To contract for pumping blood.

What does the fibrous skeleton do?

Acts as an electrical insulator between the atria and ventricles, preventing simultaneous contraction.

What is cardiac output and how is it calculated?

The amount of blood pumped by one ventricle per minute; calculated by CO=HRxSV.

What influences stroke volume?

Venous return (preload), inotropic agents, and afterload.

What is the main difference between arteries and veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins bring blood towards the heart.

What are the three tunics of blood vessels?

Tunica intima, Tunica media, Tunica externa.

What role do baroreceptors play in blood pressure regulation?

They detect changes in blood pressure and help regulate cardiovascular responses to maintain BP.

What is the function of the vasa vasorum?

They supply blood to the walls of larger blood vessels.

What is net filtration pressure (NFP) in capillaries?

It is the balance of hydrostatic pressure (blood force out) and osmotic pressure (fluid drawn in) across the capillary wall.

What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node?

It initiates the electrical conduction for the heart's rhythm.

What happens during the isovolumetric contraction phase of the cardiac cycle?

Both AV and semilunar valves are closed while ventricles contract without pumping blood.

What is the difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation?

Pulmonary circulation transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while systemic circulation carries oxygenated blood to the body.

What is angiogenesis?

The process of growing new blood vessels in tissues requiring more perfusion.

What is the meaning of preload in relation to stroke volume?

Preload refers to the degree of stretch of the ventricles at the end of diastole, influencing stroke volume.

How do chemical signals affect heart rate?

Positive chronotropic agents increase heart rate, while negative chronotropic agents decrease heart rate.

What is the significance of precapillary sphincters in capillary beds?

They regulate blood flow into capillaries, allowing bypass through thoroughfare channels when closed.