CARDIO AND GI PHYSIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
| COMPLETE EXAM PREP, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,What accounts for the equal blood flow (Q) in the pulmonary Compared with the systemic circulation, pulmonary circulation receives 100% cardiac
and systemic circulatory systems? output (Q), but with proportionately lower resistance (R) and arterial pressure (P) so
blood flow (Q) remains the same
Systemic circulation has _____ resistance, so ______ pressure is high; high
needed to maintain blood flow
What type of muscle cells are joined end-to-end by Cardiac Muscle Cells
intercalated discs?
What in intercalated discs allow ion flow and fast action Gap Junctions
potential propagation throughout cells?
(This enables coordinated cardiac contractions)
Which cardiac valve is located between the right atrium and Tricuspid Valve
right ventricle?
Describe the structure of the Tricuspid Valve? It has three leaflets (or cusps) made of thin, flexible tissue. These leaflets are connected
to chordae tendineae, which anchor them to the papillary muscles within the ventricle.
What is the function of the Tricuspid Valve? Prevents backflow of blood from right ventricle into the right atrium
What cardiac valve is located between the right ventricle and Pulmonary Valve
the pulmonary artery?
Describe the structure of the Pulmonary Valve? It consists of three semilunar cusps (half-moon-shaped) that do not have chordae
tendineae
What is the function of the Pulmonary Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle
What cardiac valve is located between the left atrium and left Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve
ventricle?
Describe the structure of the Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve? It has two leaflets and is also connected to chordae tendineae and papillary muscles
What is the function of the Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium
,What cardiac valve is located between the left ventricle and Aortic Valve
aorta?
Describe the structure of the Aortic Valve? Like the pulmonary valve, it has three semilunar cusps
What is the function of the Aortic Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? SA Node Cells
Located in the right atrium. Pacemaker cells that initiate the
electrical impulse for each heartbeat
What node is located near the entrance of the SVC? SA Node
What triggers depolarization of the AV node? SA Node
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? AV Node Cells
Situated between the atria and ventricles. Receive the
electrical signal from the SA node and delay it before
transmitting it to the ventricles, allowing the atria to complete
their contraction before ventricular contraction
What node is located at base of the right atrium near tricuspid AV Node
AV valve?
What triggers depolarization of the Bundle of His? AV Node
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Bundle of His
Facilitates the rapid conduction of action potentials from the
AV node to the apex of the heart
Where is the Bundle of His located? interventricular septum
, What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Purkinje Fibers
Specialized extensions of cells that rapidly distribute the
electrical impulse, ensuring a coordinated and near-
simultaneous contraction of the left and right ventricular
muscle fibers
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Bachmann's Bundle
Also known as the interatrial band, connects the right atrium
to the left atrium
_______ resistance is the primary mechanism for regulating the Arteriolar
vascular resistance and distribution of blood flow among the
organ systems
_______ are responsible for the exchange of gases, nutrients, Capillaries
wastes, and fluid
Ventricular Myocytes or Atrial Myocytes? Ventricular Myocytes
These cells are larger and have a more robust contractile
machinery to handle the high-pressure pumping
Ventricular Myocytes or Atrial Myocytes? Atrial Myocytes
Are smaller and have a weaker contractile force, but sufficient
for propelling blood into the ventricles
What main type of cardiomyocyte makes up 99% of all heart Contractile Cardiomyocytes
cells?
What main type of cardiomyocyte makes up only about 1% of Conductive Cardiomyocyte
all heart cells?
What does SNS Postganglionic fibers release to increase Norepinephrine
heart rate, contractility, and conduction velocity?
| COMPLETE EXAM PREP, PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep
,What accounts for the equal blood flow (Q) in the pulmonary Compared with the systemic circulation, pulmonary circulation receives 100% cardiac
and systemic circulatory systems? output (Q), but with proportionately lower resistance (R) and arterial pressure (P) so
blood flow (Q) remains the same
Systemic circulation has _____ resistance, so ______ pressure is high; high
needed to maintain blood flow
What type of muscle cells are joined end-to-end by Cardiac Muscle Cells
intercalated discs?
What in intercalated discs allow ion flow and fast action Gap Junctions
potential propagation throughout cells?
(This enables coordinated cardiac contractions)
Which cardiac valve is located between the right atrium and Tricuspid Valve
right ventricle?
Describe the structure of the Tricuspid Valve? It has three leaflets (or cusps) made of thin, flexible tissue. These leaflets are connected
to chordae tendineae, which anchor them to the papillary muscles within the ventricle.
What is the function of the Tricuspid Valve? Prevents backflow of blood from right ventricle into the right atrium
What cardiac valve is located between the right ventricle and Pulmonary Valve
the pulmonary artery?
Describe the structure of the Pulmonary Valve? It consists of three semilunar cusps (half-moon-shaped) that do not have chordae
tendineae
What is the function of the Pulmonary Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle
What cardiac valve is located between the left atrium and left Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve
ventricle?
Describe the structure of the Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve? It has two leaflets and is also connected to chordae tendineae and papillary muscles
What is the function of the Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium
,What cardiac valve is located between the left ventricle and Aortic Valve
aorta?
Describe the structure of the Aortic Valve? Like the pulmonary valve, it has three semilunar cusps
What is the function of the Aortic Valve? Prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? SA Node Cells
Located in the right atrium. Pacemaker cells that initiate the
electrical impulse for each heartbeat
What node is located near the entrance of the SVC? SA Node
What triggers depolarization of the AV node? SA Node
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? AV Node Cells
Situated between the atria and ventricles. Receive the
electrical signal from the SA node and delay it before
transmitting it to the ventricles, allowing the atria to complete
their contraction before ventricular contraction
What node is located at base of the right atrium near tricuspid AV Node
AV valve?
What triggers depolarization of the Bundle of His? AV Node
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Bundle of His
Facilitates the rapid conduction of action potentials from the
AV node to the apex of the heart
Where is the Bundle of His located? interventricular septum
, What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Purkinje Fibers
Specialized extensions of cells that rapidly distribute the
electrical impulse, ensuring a coordinated and near-
simultaneous contraction of the left and right ventricular
muscle fibers
What subtype of conductive cardiomyocyte is this? Bachmann's Bundle
Also known as the interatrial band, connects the right atrium
to the left atrium
_______ resistance is the primary mechanism for regulating the Arteriolar
vascular resistance and distribution of blood flow among the
organ systems
_______ are responsible for the exchange of gases, nutrients, Capillaries
wastes, and fluid
Ventricular Myocytes or Atrial Myocytes? Ventricular Myocytes
These cells are larger and have a more robust contractile
machinery to handle the high-pressure pumping
Ventricular Myocytes or Atrial Myocytes? Atrial Myocytes
Are smaller and have a weaker contractile force, but sufficient
for propelling blood into the ventricles
What main type of cardiomyocyte makes up 99% of all heart Contractile Cardiomyocytes
cells?
What main type of cardiomyocyte makes up only about 1% of Conductive Cardiomyocyte
all heart cells?
What does SNS Postganglionic fibers release to increase Norepinephrine
heart rate, contractility, and conduction velocity?
