Cardiovascular Physiology 1
Dr. Susan Pyner
Generation of the Heart Beat
1. Overview of Cardiovascular System
Purpose
• Transport system for material which cells depend upon
• Transports = O2, CO2, Hormones, Heat
• Requires flow to your organs
• Remove CO2 and replace with oxygen
• Important aspects: Make sure there’s blood flow in pumping vessels
• These process maintain homeostasis and therefore survive
Components:
Blood:
Plasma - Fluid which cells and pallets are suspended containing solutes (electrolytes and proteins)
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) - Contains haemoglobin, carrying O2 and CO2
Leukocytes (white blood cells) - Participates in immune and defence related
functions
Platelets - Participates in Blood Clotting
Blood Vessels:
Arteries - Carry blood away from heart (oxygenated)
Arterioles - Carry blood towards capillaries, regulate blood flow
Capillaries - Allow exchange of materials between blood and interstitial fluid
Venules - Carry blood away from capillaries participate in some exchange of materials
Veins - Carry blood towards heart (deoxygenated)
Heart:
Right Atrium - Receives blood returning from systemic circuit
Right Ventricle - Pumps blood to pulmonary circuit (pulmonary artery)
Left Atrium - Receives blood from pulmonary circuit
Left Ventricle - Pumps blood to systemic circuit (via Aorta)
Organisation
Dr. Susan Pyner
Generation of the Heart Beat
1. Overview of Cardiovascular System
Purpose
• Transport system for material which cells depend upon
• Transports = O2, CO2, Hormones, Heat
• Requires flow to your organs
• Remove CO2 and replace with oxygen
• Important aspects: Make sure there’s blood flow in pumping vessels
• These process maintain homeostasis and therefore survive
Components:
Blood:
Plasma - Fluid which cells and pallets are suspended containing solutes (electrolytes and proteins)
Erythrocytes (red blood cells) - Contains haemoglobin, carrying O2 and CO2
Leukocytes (white blood cells) - Participates in immune and defence related
functions
Platelets - Participates in Blood Clotting
Blood Vessels:
Arteries - Carry blood away from heart (oxygenated)
Arterioles - Carry blood towards capillaries, regulate blood flow
Capillaries - Allow exchange of materials between blood and interstitial fluid
Venules - Carry blood away from capillaries participate in some exchange of materials
Veins - Carry blood towards heart (deoxygenated)
Heart:
Right Atrium - Receives blood returning from systemic circuit
Right Ventricle - Pumps blood to pulmonary circuit (pulmonary artery)
Left Atrium - Receives blood from pulmonary circuit
Left Ventricle - Pumps blood to systemic circuit (via Aorta)
Organisation
