Exam 1 Review on Blood, Heart, and Circulation

These flashcards cover key concepts from Chapter 17 through Chapter 20 regarding blood, the heart, and circulation, aiding in exam preparation.

What are the functions of blood?

Transportation, regulation of pH, and protection against disease.

What is the pH range of normal blood?

Typically between 7.35 and 7.45.

What connects blood as a connective tissue?

Contains cells (formed elements) suspended in a non-living matrix (plasma).

What are the major components of plasma?

Water, electrolytes, proteins, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

What is the primary function of erythrocytes?

Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What is hemoglobin?

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Name a disorder caused by abnormalities of erythrocytes.

Anemia - a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin.

What are leukocytes?

White blood cells involved in the immune response.

How are leukocytes produced?

Through hematopoiesis in the bone marrow.

What is a leukocyte disorder?

Leukemia - a cancer of the bone marrow affecting white blood cell production.

What is the function of platelets?

Involved in blood clotting to prevent bleeding.

Describe hemostasis.

The process of stopping bleeding, involving vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

What factors limit clot formation?

Antithrombotic substances like prostacyclin and antithrombin.

What is the ABO blood group system?

Classification of blood based on the presence of A and B antigens.

What is a transfusion reaction?

An immune response to incompatible blood types during transfusion.

What fluids are used to replace blood volume?

Crystalloids and colloids such as saline or albumin.

Why is blood testing diagnostically important?

It helps in diagnosing blood disorders and other diseases.

What is the size and shape of the heart?

The heart is roughly the size of a fist, cone-shaped.

What coverings protect the heart?

The pericardium (fibrous and serous layers).

What are the three layers of the heart wall?

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

Name the four chambers of the heart.

Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

What is the function of heart valves?

To prevent the backflow of blood during contractions.

Trace the pathway of blood through the heart.

Right atrium -> right ventricle -> lungs -> left atrium -> left ventricle -> body.

What are the major branches of the coronary arteries?

Left coronary artery and right coronary artery.

How does cardiac muscle differ from skeletal muscle?

Cardiac muscle is involuntary, striated, and has intercalated discs.

What occurs during excitation-contraction coupling?

Electrical signals trigger calcium release, leading to muscle contraction.

What is the cardiac cycle?

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

What do heart murmurs indicate?

Abnormal blood flow patterns, often due to valve issues.

What factors regulate stroke volume?

Preload, afterload, and contractility.

What defines cardiac output (CO)?

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute (CO = SV x HR).

What is vasoconstriction?

The narrowing of blood vessels to increase blood pressure.

What distinguishes arteries from veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood toward the heart.

What is hypertension?

Abnormally high blood pressure.

What is the function of capillaries?

Exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste.

What is MALT?

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, part of the immune system.

What is the function of the thymus?

Site of T-lymphocyte maturation.