Human Blood Circulatory System and Life Processes Flashcards

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering human blood components, heart anatomy, blood circulation pathways, cardiac procedures, and related metabolic conditions from the SEE 2082 Science lecture notes.

Blood Circulatory System

The system in the human body that transports blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes to and from different organs, with the heart as its chief organ.

Blood

A red-coloured connective tissue that is alkaline with a pH of 7.35-7.45; a healthy adult contains about $5.5\,\text{litres}$ of blood.

Plasma

The pale yellow liquid part of blood that makes up about 55% of total blood volume and contains 80-90% water and 10-20% dissolved substances.

Serum

Plasma from which the clotting protein fibrinogen has been removed, used to diagnose diseases.

Fibrinogen

A specific plasma protein that plays an essential role in blood clotting.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Red-coloured, biconcave, round blood cells without a nucleus that contain haemoglobin and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide, with a lifespan of 90-120 days.

Anaemia

A disease or abnormal condition caused by a deficiency in the number of red blood cells.

White Blood Cells (Leucocytes)

Colourless, irregular-shaped nucleated cells numbering 4,000-11,000 per cubic mm that protect the body against disease-causing germs and boost immunity.

Leukemia

A disease caused by an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells.

Leukopenia

A condition caused by a sudden decrease or deficiency in white blood cells.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Very small, non-nucleated blood cells numbering 2-4 lakhs per cubic mm that form fibre-like structures to assist in blood clotting during injury.

Haemophilia

A medical condition or disease caused by a deficiency of platelets, leading to excessive bleeding and clotting issues.

Heart

The central muscular organ of the circulatory system made of cardiac muscle, weighing about $300\,\text{g}$, located in the thoracic cavity between the lungs.

Pericardium

The double-layered protective membrane surrounding the heart.

Septum

The muscular wall dividing the heart chambers that prevents the mixing of pure (oxygenated) and impure (deoxygenated) blood.

Pulmonary Artery

The blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

Pulmonary Vein

The blood vessel that carries pure (oxygenated) blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

Aorta

The main blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to all parts of the body.

Myocardial Infarction

Also known as a heart attack, a serious emergency condition that occurs when blood supply to heart muscles is suddenly reduced or blocked.

Angiography

An X-ray imaging technique that uses an injected contrast medium dye into the blood to visually detect blockages or narrowing in blood vessels.

Coronary Angioplasty

A procedure to open blocked coronary arteries using a thin catheter tube and inserting a metal mesh tube called a stent to keep the artery open.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)

An open-heart surgery where a healthy blood vessel from the leg is grafted to bypass a blockage and restore blood flow to heart muscle.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate, below the normal resting range of 60-100 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

An abnormally fast heart rate, above the normal resting range of 60-100 beats per minute.

Pulse

The pressure felt in the arteries caused by the rhythmic flow of blood pumped by the heart.

Arteries

Thick-walled blood vessels without valves that carry blood away from the heart to various body tissues.

Veins

Thin-walled blood vessels containing internal valves that transport blood from body parts back toward the heart.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels that connect arteries and veins, facilitating the exchange of materials between blood and cells.

Systemic Circulation

The pathway of circulation in which oxygenated blood flows from the left ventricle to body tissues and deoxygenated blood returns to the right auricle.

Pulmonary Circulation

The pathway of circulation in which deoxygenated blood moves from the right ventricle to the lungs and oxygenated blood returns to the left auricle.

Blood Pressure

The force or pressure exerted by circulating blood against the inner walls of the arteries.

Systolic Pressure

The blood pressure recorded during ventricular contraction, normally between 90 and 130 mmHg.

Diastolic Pressure

The blood pressure recorded during ventricular relaxation, normally between 60 and 90 mmHg.

Sphygmomanometer

The medical instrument used to measure arterial blood pressure.

Hypertension

A condition defined by persistently high blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.

Diabetes (Hyperglycemia)

A metabolic condition characterized by excessive glucose in the blood, often caused by insufficient insulin secretion.

Uric Acid

A metabolic waste product formed during the breakdown of purine substances in food and body cells.

Hyperuricemia

A condition characterized by an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood.