Transport in Humans (Blood and Heart) - Flashcards

A set of practice questions covering blood components, blood groups, transfusion, blood vessels, the heart, cardiac cycle, heart rate, and coronary heart disease based on the lecture notes.

What is the universal solvent in blood plasma?

Water.

Name two components of blood plasma.

Water and dissolved plasma proteins.

What soluble nutrients are transported in plasma for body use?

Glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids + glycerol.

Which waste products are transported by plasma for excretion?

Carbon dioxide and urea.

What is one function of plasma besides transport?

Transports substances around the body and helps maintain a constant environment for blood cells (glucose, amino acids, minerals).

What is the function of red blood cells in oxygen transport?

To carry oxygen from the lungs to respiring tissues as oxyhaemoglobin.

Name two adaptations of red blood cells that aid oxygen transport.

Biconcave shape for increased surface area and absence of nucleus to house more haemoglobin.

What is the primary role of white blood cells?

To protect the body against disease; some phagocytose pathogens and others produce antibodies.

What is the function of platelets?

Initiate blood clotting to prevent excessive blood loss.

What determines a person's blood group?

Antigens on the surface of red blood cells and antibodies in plasma.

Which blood type is the universal donor and why?

Type O; has no antigens on red blood cells, so it is unlikely to be attacked by recipient's antibodies.

Which blood type is the universal recipient?

Type AB; has both A and B antigens and no corresponding antibodies in plasma.

What happens if donor and recipient blood types are incompatible?

Agglutination (clumping) due to antibodies reacting with donor antigens, potentially blocking vessels and causing harm.

Name three types of blood vessels and their primary functions.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart; capillaries link arteries to veins and allow exchange; veins carry blood back to the heart.

What structural features help arteries withstand high pressure?

Thick muscular walls and elastic fibres that allow stretching and recoil.

What are capillaries and their key feature?

Very small vessels with walls one cell thick to enable diffusion between blood and tissues.

What feature do veins have to prevent backflow?

Valves along their length to ensure one-way blood flow back to the heart.

What is the oxygenation status of blood in the aorta and in the pulmonary artery?

Aorta carries oxygenated blood; pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood.

Name the four chambers of the heart.

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

What are the atrioventricular valves and what do they do?

Tricuspid (right) and bicuspid (left) valves; they prevent backflow from ventricles to atria during ventricular contraction.

What are the semilunar valves and what do they do?

Aortic and pulmonary valves; they prevent backflow into the ventricles after blood is ejected.

What is the function of chordae tendineae?

Prevent atrioventricular valves from turning inside out during ventricular contraction.

What is the role of the coronary arteries?

Supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscles.

What is the median septum and its function?

A wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart to prevent mixing of deoxygenated and oxygenated blood.

Name the stages of the cardiac cycle.

Atrial systole, ventricular systole, and diastole.

What occurs during atrial systole?

Atria contract; blood moves into ventricles; AV valves are open.

What occurs during ventricular systole?

Ventricles contract; blood is ejected into the aorta and pulmonary artery; semilunar valves open.

What occurs during diastole?

Heart muscles relax; ventricles fill; arteries have higher pressure as the semilunar valves close.

Why does heart rate increase during exercise?

To deliver oxygen and glucose faster to muscles for aerobic respiration and energy release.

What causes coronary heart disease (CHD) as described in the notes?

Saturated fats and cholesterol deposit on coronary arteries forming atheroma, narrowing the arteries.

Name preventive measures for coronary heart disease.

Reduce intake of saturated fats and cholesterol; quit smoking; regular exercise; stress management.

What does blood maintain for the environment around cells?

A constant concentration of glucose, amino acids and mineral salts.

What is haemoglobin’s role in oxygen transport?

Haemoglobin binds and releases oxygen reversibly in red blood cells.