STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:
Cardiovascular= cardio means heart, vascular means circulatory networks of the red blood cells
The cardiovascular system is known as the
double-circulatory system, it includes the
systemic system and the pulmonary system. Right
side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, left
side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Thick
muscular wall called septum separates the 2
sides.
Pulmonary system:
-this involves the transportation of blood
between the lungs and the heart
-there are 2 main vessels in this system:
-pulmonary artery:
o takes deoxygenated blood
o from the right ventricle
o to the lungs
-pulmonary vein:
o takes oxygenated blood
o from lungs
o to the left atrium of the heart
Systemic system:
-blood is transported to the rest of the body via arteries then returns the deoxygenated blood back to the
heart
-there are 2 main vessels in this system:
-aorta:
o pumps blood
o out of the heart
o to the body
-vena cava
o returns blood
o from the body
o to the heart
Red blood cells are also called erythrocytes:
o they transport oxygen cells around the body and transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be
breathed out
Blood vessels:
-veins:
o bring deoxygenated blood into the heart
o carry blood @ low pressure
o return blood to the heart
o contain pocket valves that prevent
backflow of blood
o walls are less muscular but get thicker as
they approach the heart
o vena cava is the largest vein
, o venules are the smallest type of veins that transport blood from the capillaries
-arteries:
o take oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
o carry blood @ high pressure
o walls contain smooth muscle which increases and decreases in diameter
o aorta is the largest artery
o controls the blood flow and blood pressure by changing diameters
o arterioles are the smallest type of artery which have a very small diameter
-capillaries:
o connect blood with tissues
o have a single layer of cell in their walls
o allow the exchange of gas around muscles
o so thin that waste and nutrients pass through
them
Vasodilation= when artery walls increase in their diameter
Vasoconstriction= when artery walls decrease their
diameter
ARTERIES-VEINS-CAPILLARIES (largest to smallest)
Heart rate:
o bpm, average 75bpm (70/80)
o fitter people have lower resting hr
o bradycardia= if athletes heart rate falls below 60bpm
o hr starts with an electrical impulse from the sinoatrial node which is the pacemaker of the heart
Stroke volume:
o the volume of blood pumped out of the heart by each ventricle during 1 contraction
o SV is measured in ml
o SV is dependent on:
- contractibility of ventricles
Cardiovascular= cardio means heart, vascular means circulatory networks of the red blood cells
The cardiovascular system is known as the
double-circulatory system, it includes the
systemic system and the pulmonary system. Right
side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, left
side pumps oxygenated blood to the body. Thick
muscular wall called septum separates the 2
sides.
Pulmonary system:
-this involves the transportation of blood
between the lungs and the heart
-there are 2 main vessels in this system:
-pulmonary artery:
o takes deoxygenated blood
o from the right ventricle
o to the lungs
-pulmonary vein:
o takes oxygenated blood
o from lungs
o to the left atrium of the heart
Systemic system:
-blood is transported to the rest of the body via arteries then returns the deoxygenated blood back to the
heart
-there are 2 main vessels in this system:
-aorta:
o pumps blood
o out of the heart
o to the body
-vena cava
o returns blood
o from the body
o to the heart
Red blood cells are also called erythrocytes:
o they transport oxygen cells around the body and transport carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be
breathed out
Blood vessels:
-veins:
o bring deoxygenated blood into the heart
o carry blood @ low pressure
o return blood to the heart
o contain pocket valves that prevent
backflow of blood
o walls are less muscular but get thicker as
they approach the heart
o vena cava is the largest vein
, o venules are the smallest type of veins that transport blood from the capillaries
-arteries:
o take oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body
o carry blood @ high pressure
o walls contain smooth muscle which increases and decreases in diameter
o aorta is the largest artery
o controls the blood flow and blood pressure by changing diameters
o arterioles are the smallest type of artery which have a very small diameter
-capillaries:
o connect blood with tissues
o have a single layer of cell in their walls
o allow the exchange of gas around muscles
o so thin that waste and nutrients pass through
them
Vasodilation= when artery walls increase in their diameter
Vasoconstriction= when artery walls decrease their
diameter
ARTERIES-VEINS-CAPILLARIES (largest to smallest)
Heart rate:
o bpm, average 75bpm (70/80)
o fitter people have lower resting hr
o bradycardia= if athletes heart rate falls below 60bpm
o hr starts with an electrical impulse from the sinoatrial node which is the pacemaker of the heart
Stroke volume:
o the volume of blood pumped out of the heart by each ventricle during 1 contraction
o SV is measured in ml
o SV is dependent on:
- contractibility of ventricles
