Smooth Muscle and Cardiovascular Function

This set of flashcards covers the key concepts related to smooth muscle tissue and cardiovascular functions discussed in the lecture.

Metabolic Needs

The varying requirements of the body for energy and substances, which necessitate adjustments in cardiovascular function.

Cardiovascular System

The system that includes the heart and blood vessels responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.

Arterioles

Small blood vessels that regulate blood flow ( CO) and distribution among tissues by adjusting their diameter.

Veins

Blood vessels that return blood to the heart and can adjust their diameter to control how much blood flows back.

Smooth Muscle Tone

The continuous and passive partial contraction of smooth muscle, essential for organ function and stability.

Vascular Tone

The state of contraction of blood vessels that regulates blood flow and maintains blood pressure.

Vascular tone is..

Consistent, baseline level of activity and is regulated.

Actin and Myosin

The two primary proteins found in smooth muscle that interact to enable contraction.

Striations

Visible stripes found in skeletal and cardiac muscle, absent in smooth muscle, indicating the arrangement of fiber types. (smooth muscle arranged in angles to each other)

Basal Contractility

The baseline level of contraction within smooth muscle that is crucial for maintaining function.