The Blood, Heart, and Blood Vessels Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the blood, heart, and blood vessels in the human circulatory system.

Circulatory System

A system in humans that transports nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and metabolic wastes.

Blood

A connective tissue composed of liquid plasma and cells.

Heart

A muscular pump that moves blood throughout the body.

Blood Vessels

Arteries, capillaries, and veins that deliver blood to all tissues.

Closed Circulatory System

A system where blood is always enclosed in vessels and does not fill body cavities.

Hemoglobin

A molecule in red blood cells that binds oxygen, causing blood to turn red when oxygenated.

Cardiovascular System

The human closed circulatory system comprising the heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic Circulation

A secondary circulatory system that collects fluid and cells and returns them to the cardiovascular system.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart where blood enters.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out through arteries.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Capillaries

Thin-walled blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.

Blood Pressure

The pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels, measured in mm of mercury.

Systole

The contraction phase of the heart cycle.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the heart cycle.

SA Node

The sinoatrial node, the heart's natural pacemaker that initiates the heartbeat.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart to detect heartbeat patterns.

Cardiac Muscle

The muscle type that makes up the heart and enables it to pump blood.

Coronary Arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself.

Angina Pectoralis

Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Hypertension

Consistently high blood pressure, often referred to as the silent killer.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood, making up about 60% of its volume.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that carry oxygen and make up for 40% of blood's volume.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in the immune response.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Fibrin

A protein that forms a meshwork to stabilize blood clots.