A&P II Exam 3 Study Guide – Blood, Cardiovascular, and Respiratory Systems

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in the blood, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.

What does the circulatory system include?

Heart, blood vessels, and blood.

What are the three main functions of the circulatory system?

Transport, protection, and regulation.

What are the 7 types of formed elements of blood?

Erythrocytes (RBCs), Platelets, Leukocytes (5 types: Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils).

What are the layers of centrifuged blood?

Plasma (55%), Buffy coat (WBCs + platelets <1%), Erythrocytes (45%).

What are the major plasma proteins and their functions?

Albumins (osmotic pressure), Globulins (immunity, transport), Fibrinogen (clotting).

What is viscosity in blood?

Resistance to flow; high viscosity indicates sluggish flow, low viscosity indicates excessive flow.

What process describes the formation of blood cells?

Hemopoiesis.

How does carbonic anhydrase contribute to acid-base balance?

It catalyzes the reaction CO2 + H2O ↔ H2CO3 ↔ H+ + HCO3−.

What is the normal hematocrit range for men and women?

Men: ~45–52%; Women: ~37–48%.

What hormone stimulates RBC production when oxygen levels are low?

Erythropoietin (EPO) from the kidneys.

What is polycythemia?

An increase in RBC count, which can be primary (bone marrow disorder) or secondary (due to hypoxia).

What are the consequences of anemia?

Hypoxia, fatigue, pallor, reduced blood osmolarity and viscosity.

What defines the ABO/Rh blood typing system?

Antigens on RBCs and antibodies in plasma; agglutination occurs with mismatches.

What causes hemolytic disease of the newborn?

Maternal anti-Rh antibodies attack fetal RBCs, prevented with RhoGAM.

What is the difference between leukopenia and leukocytosis?

Leukopenia is a decrease in WBCs (risk of infection); leukocytosis is an increase in WBCs (indicates infection/inflammation).

What mechanisms are involved in hemostasis?

Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, coagulation.

What differentiates a thrombus from an embolus?

A thrombus is a clot in an unbroken vessel, while an embolus is a clot that travels through the bloodstream.

How do arteries differ from veins?

Arteries have thick walls and carry blood away from the heart; veins are thinner with valves and return blood to the heart.

What three types of capillaries exist?

Continuous, fenestrated, and sinusoids.

Why do most blood volumes reside in veins?

Veins are low-pressure, high-capacitance vessels.

What are venous sinuses?

Thin-walled veins without smooth muscle, examples include coronary sinus and dural venous sinuses.

What influences hemodynamics?

Flow is influenced by pressure difference (∆P) and resistance (R).

What factors determine peripheral resistance?

Viscosity, vessel length, and vessel radius.

What is vasomotion?

Change in vessel radius, controlled by the medulla’s vasomotor center.

What is the significance of blood pressure readings, such as 120/80 mmHg?

Systolic/Diastolic pressures for normal blood pressure.

What are the dangers of hypertension?

Vessel damage, aneurysm, stroke, heart failure, and renal failure.

Which hormones regulate blood pressure?

Angiotensin II (↑ BP), Natriuretic peptides (↓ BP), ADH (↑ BP), Epinephrine (↑ BP).

What are the functions of the respiratory system?

Gas exchange, communication, olfaction, pH regulation, blood pressure regulation.

What organs are included in the upper respiratory system?

Nose, nasal cavity, and pharynx.

What is the conducting division of the respiratory system?

The conducting division is responsible for airflow only.

What is the role of type I and type II alveolar cells?

Type I cells are involved in gas diffusion, while type II cells secrete surfactant.

What is the function of surfactant in the respiratory system?

Reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse.

What happens during pulmonary ventilation?

Inspiration involves diaphragm contraction, increasing volume and decreasing pressure; expiration involves diaphragm relaxation, decreasing volume and increasing pressure.

What is tidal volume?

Approximately 500 mL of air inhaled or exhaled in a normal breath.

Which gas laws are important in understanding respiratory mechanics?

Boyle’s law, Dalton’s law, and Henry’s law.

What is the difference between external and internal respiration?

External respiration is gas exchange in the lungs; internal respiration is gas exchange in tissues.

How is oxygen transported in the blood?

98.5% is bound to hemoglobin, and 1.5% is dissolved in plasma.

How is carbon dioxide transported in the blood?

70% as bicarbonate, 23% bound to hemoglobin, and 7% dissolved in plasma.

What is the Bohr effect?

Increased CO2 and decreased pH cause hemoglobin to release oxygen.

What is the Haldane effect?

Deoxygenated hemoglobin binds carbon dioxide more readily.

What areas of the brain regulate breathing?

The medulla (VRG and DRG) and Pons.

What types of hypoxia exist?

Hypoxemic, anemic, ischemic, and histotoxic.

What respiratory disorders are common?

COPD (chronic bronchitis, emphysema), pneumonia, and asthma.