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Body Systems and Physiological Disorders

Control of heart rate and blood pressure

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 2

Overview

Path an electrical impulse takes through the heart, blood pressure and cardiac output and give the relationship used to find it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Where is the sinoatrial node, and what does it do?

Key term

Why does the atrioventricular node delay the impulse?

Key term

Why is it important that ventricular contraction starts at the apex of the heart?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Where is the sinoatrial node, and what does it do?

    Model answer

    The sinoatrial node lies in the wall of the right atrium and sets the rhythm of the heart. The node is often called the heart's pacemaker.

  2. 2

    Describe the path an electrical impulse takes through the heart.

    Model answer

    An impulse from the sinoatrial node spreads across the atria to the atrioventricular node, then passes down the bundle of His and out through the Purkyne fibres.

  3. 3

    Why does the atrioventricular node delay the impulse?

    Model answer

    The atrioventricular node holds the impulse back briefly so the atria finish emptying before the ventricles begin to contract.

  4. 4

    Why is it important that ventricular contraction starts at the apex of the heart?

    Model answer

    The Purkyne fibres carry the impulse to the apex of the ventricles, so contraction begins there and pushes blood upwards into the arteries.

  5. 5

    Which part of the brain adjusts heart rate?

    Model answer

    The cardiovascular centre in the medulla oblongata adjusts heart rate by sending impulses along nerves to the sinoatrial node.

  6. 6

    Contrast the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve impulses on the heart.

    Model answer

    Sympathetic impulses raise the heart rate, while parasympathetic impulses travelling along the vagus nerve slow it down.

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