The Cardiorespiratory System

What are the primary roles of the cardiovascular system?

1. Transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues. 2. Transport carbon dioxide from tissues to lungs. 3. Transport nutrients from the digestive system to other areas. 4. Transport waste products to excretion sites.

What are the four chambers of the heart?

Two ventricles (left and right) and two atria (left and right).

What is the function of the left ventricle?

Pumps oxygen-rich blood through the entire body.

What is the function of the right ventricle?

Pumps deoxygenated blood a short distance to the lungs.

Describe the pathway of blood flow through the heart.

Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium from the vena cava, moves to the right ventricle, is pumped to the lungs, then oxygenated blood returns to the left atrium, moves to the left ventricle, and is pumped to the body via the aorta.

What occurs during diastole?

The heart relaxes, and both atria fill with blood.

What occurs during systole?

The ventricles contract and push blood out into the body.

What is blood pressure?

An important measure of cardiac function with two components: diastolic (pressure when ventricles are relaxed) and systolic (pressure when ventricles contract).

What is the normal range of blood pressure during diastole and systole?

Diastole: about 80 mmHg; Systole: about 120 mmHg.

What is stroke volume?

The amount of blood pumped out of the left ventricle each time the heart beats, typically about 70 milliliters.

What is cardiac output?

The amount of blood pumped into the aorta each minute by the heart, calculated as stroke volume times heart rate.

How is heart rate measured?

By feeling the carotid pulse at the neck or the radial pulse at the wrist.

What is the resting heart rate range for adults?

40 bpm in trained athletes to 70 bpm in normal individuals.

What are arteries?

Vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

What are capillaries?

Small vessels that allow for the exchange of oxygen and nutrients from blood to muscles and organs.

What are veins?

Larger vessels that return blood to the heart, formed from venules.

What are red blood cells also known as?

Erythrocytes.

What is the primary function of red blood cells?

To transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and remove carbon dioxide.

What stimulates red blood cell formation?

Erythropoietin (EPO), which is secreted in response to low oxygen levels.

What is VO2max?

A measure of the maximal volume of oxygen that can be supplied to and consumed by the body.

What is the primary role of the respiratory system?

To deliver oxygenated air to blood and remove carbon dioxide from blood.

What components make up the respiratory system?

The lungs and several passageways leading from outside to the lungs.

What is hematocrit?

The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells, typically about 45 percent.

What happens to red blood cells as they age?

New red blood cells contain more hemoglobin and can carry greater amounts of oxygen.

What is the skeletal muscle pump?

A mechanism that helps blood flow toward the heart by opening valves and closing them when blood flows away.

What are the three meanings of respiration?

1. Ventilation (breathing), 2. Gas exchange (between air and blood in lungs), 3. Oxygen utilization by tissues for cellular respiration.

Where are the lungs located?

Within the thoracic cavity/chest.

Why is the right lung larger than the left lung?

Because the heart takes up more space on the left side.

What are the two functional zones of the air passages in the respiratory system?

1. The conduction zone, 2. The respiratory zone.

What is the conduction zone?

A set of anatomical structures through which air passes before reaching the respiratory zone.

What is the 'respiration tree'?

The branching system of bronchi and bronchioles inside the lungs.

What are the functional units of the lungs where gas exchange occurs?

Alveoli.

What is the process of ventilation?

The movement of air into (inspiration) and out of (expiration) the lungs.

What happens during inspiration?

The thoracic cavity expands, lowering air pressure inside, causing air to flow into the lungs.

What happens during expiration?

The thoracic cavity shrinks, increasing air pressure inside, causing air to flow out of the lungs.

What is diffusion in the context of gas exchange?

The movement of gases from a higher concentration to a lower concentration.

What is the role of the cardiovascular system during exercise?

To ensure an adequate blood supply to working muscles, the brain, and the heart.

What is capillarization?

The increase in the number of capillaries, providing greater surface area for gas exchange.

How does endurance training affect blood volume?

It increases total blood volume and the number of red blood cells through erythropoiesis.

What is the ACSM recommendation for cardiovascular exercise?

At least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity, 3-5 times per week.

How do you calculate Target Heart Rate?

(220 - age) = Max Heart Rate (MHR); MHR x .50 = Low Target HR; MHR x .85 = High Target HR.

What happens to ventilation during exercise?

It increases to meet the higher demand for gas exchange.

What is the maximum ventilation rate during maximal exercise?

Can exceed 150 L/min and more than 200 L/min during maximal voluntary breathing.

What adaptations occur in the lungs with endurance training?

The lungs become more efficient in gas exchange.

What is internal respiration?

Gas exchange between the blood and other tissues, along with oxygen utilization by tissues.

What is the diaphragm's role in ventilation?

It contracts to help expand the thoracic cavity during inspiration.

What is the role of intercostal muscles during expiration?

They help shrink the thoracic cavity, aiding in air expulsion.

What is the significance of understanding cardiovascular adaptations?

It helps health professionals promote better health and quality of life.