Cardiovascular System and Public Health Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in cardiovascular systems, health, and immunology based on lecture notes.

Circulatory System

The system responsible for the transportation of blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes within an organism.

Cardiovascular Structures

Includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood; essential for circulating oxygen and nutrients.

Pathway of Blood

The route blood takes through the cardiovascular system: heart -> arteries -> capillaries -> veins.

Heartbeat

The rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart, crucial for pumping blood.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure in blood vessels when the heart beats and pumps blood.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats.

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

A test that detects electrical activity in the heart to monitor heart health.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where the exchange of gases and nutrients occurs.

Blood Pressure Measurement

Evaluating the pressure of blood in the circulatory system, reported in mmHg.

Open Circulation

A type of circulatory system where blood is not always contained within vessels.

Closed Circulation

A type of circulatory system where blood is confined to vessels.

Arteries

Vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to organs.

Veins

Vessels that return deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Gas Exchange

The process of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the body.

Muscular Pump

Refers to the heart's function in generating pressure to circulate blood.

Respiratory Surfaces

Locations in the body where gas exchange occurs, like lungs and gills.

Diffusion

The process by which substances move from areas of high concentration to low concentration.

Countercurrent Exchange

A mechanism that maximizes gas exchange efficiency by having two fluids flow in opposite directions.

Pulmonary Circuit

The pathway of blood flow between the heart and lungs.

Systemic Circuit

The pathway of blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body.

Two-chambered Heart

A heart structure found in fishes, consisting of one atrium and one ventricle.

Three-chambered Heart

A heart structure found in some amphibians and reptiles, consisting of two atria and one ventricle.

Four-chambered Heart

A heart structure found in birds and mammals, consisting of two atria and two ventricles.

Atrioventricular Node

The node responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

Sinoatrial Node

The natural pacemaker of the heart that initiates the heartbeat.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in one heartbeat, comprising diastole and systole.

Valvular Heart Disease

Condition where the heart valves do not function properly, affecting blood flow.

Heart Murmur

An abnormal sound during a heartbeat due to turbulent blood flow.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

Heart Rate

The number of heartbeats per minute, typically used as an indicator of fitness.

Hypertension

Elevated blood pressure, often leading to health complications.

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of plaque in arteries that can lead to heart disease.

Heart Attack

Damage to heart muscle due to reduced blood flow, often caused by blockage.

Stroke

An interruption of blood supply to the brain, often resulting in brain damage.

Electrolytes

Minerals in blood that help maintain electrical activity and fluid balance.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that regulate physiological processes in the body.

Adrenaline

A hormone that increases heart rate and blood flow during stress.

Natural Killer Cells

A type of lymphocyte that plays a role in the innate immune response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that specifically target and neutralize pathogens.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease, such as bacteria or viruses.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular disease.

Herd Immunity

When a large part of a community becomes immune to a disease, making its spread unlikely.

Allergy

An immune system reaction to a substance that is generally not harmful.

Antihistamines

Medications that counteract the effects of histamine during allergic reactions.

Phagocytes

White blood cells that engulf and digest foreign particles and pathogens.

Inflammation

The body's immune response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

T Cells

Lymphocytes that play a central role in cell-mediated immunity.

B Cells

Lymphocytes that are responsible for humoral immunity and antibody production.

Interferons

Proteins released by host cells in response to pathogens, which help to inhibit viral replication.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to stimulate an immune response.

Antigen

Any substance that can trigger an immune response.

Immune Memory

The ability of the immune system to quickly recognize and respond to pathogens it has encountered before.

Lymphatic System

A part of the circulatory system that supports immune function and fluid balance.

Capillary Exchange

The process of materials moving in and out of capillaries, crucial for nutrient and gas exchange.

Mucous Membranes

Tissues lining body cavities and passages that secrete mucus to trap pathogens.

Skin

The body's first line of defense against pathogens, acting as a physical barrier.

Intestinal Barrier

The protective lining in the gut that prevents pathogen entry and maintains gut health.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.

Oxygen Transport

The process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to the body cells, typically bound to hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen and carries it through the bloodstream.

Respiratory System

The organ system responsible for gas exchange, including the lungs and airways.

Spirometry

A common pulmonary function test used to measure lung capacity and airflow.

Lung Volume

The volume of air that can be inhaled and exhaled from the lungs.

Residual Volume

The volume of air left in the lungs after a forceful exhalation.

Vital Capacity

The total amount of air that can be exhaled after a maximum inhalation.

Breathing Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute.

Diaphragm

A muscle that plays a significant role in breathing by contracting and relaxing.

Alveoli

Tiny sac-like structures in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Surfactant

A substance that reduces surface tension in the lungs and prevents alveolar collapse.

Artificial Pacemaker

A device that sends electrical impulses to the heart to regulate heartbeat.

Defibrillator

A device that delivers electric shocks to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Platelets

Small cell fragments in the blood that are essential for clotting.

Atherosclerotic Plaque

Buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls.

Chemokines

Signaling proteins that direct the movement of immune cells.

Cytotoxic T Cells

T cells that kill cancer cells and cells infected with viruses.

Helper T Cells

T cells that assist other immune cells by releasing cytokines.

Immunodeficiency

A state where the immune system's ability to fight infections is compromised.

Autoimmune Disease

A condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells.

Monocytes

A type of white blood cell that differentiates into macrophages and dendritic cells.

Adenectomy

Surgical removal of an adenoma, usually of a gland.

Tumor

An abnormal mass of tissue that may be benign or malignant.

Pathophysiology

The study of the disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.

Sepsis

A life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that combat multicellular parasites and certain infections.

Lymphocytes

A subtype of white blood cells involved in the immune response.

Tissues

Groups of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment in the body.

Metabolic Rate

The rate at which the body expends energy or consumes calories.

Stress Response

The body's automatic response to a perceived threat or challenge.

Antigen-Presenting Cells

Cells that display foreign antigens on their surfaces to activate T cells.

Virulence

The degree of pathogenicity of an organism.

Immunology

The study of the immune system and its functions.

Nonspecific Defenses

General defenses of the immune system that do not target specific pathogens.

Specific Defenses

Targeted responses of the immune system against specific pathogens or antigens.

Infection Control

Methods to prevent and control the spread of infections.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.

Disease Surveillance

The continuous observation of disease occurrence to control outbreaks.

Health Promotion

The process that enables people to increase control over their health.