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The Cardiovascular System

Blood vessels, circulation and vascular shunting

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Red and white blood cells and platelets, arteries, veins, capillaries and arterioles, pulmonary and systemic circulation, venous return and its pumps, the dizzy runner, vascular shunting and the share of cardiac output reaching muscle.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How do smooth muscle and gravity aid venous return, and why might a runner who stops dead feel dizzy?

Key term

What are the main components of blood?

Key term

What do red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets each do?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What are the main components of blood?

    Model answer

    Blood is plasma carrying red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Plasma makes up about 55% of blood volume.

  2. 2

    What do red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets each do?

    Model answer

    Red blood cells carry oxygen using haemoglobin. White blood cells fight infection, and platelets help the blood to clot.

  3. 3

    How are arteries adapted to carry blood away from the heart?

    Model answer

    Arteries have thick walls of elastic tissue and smooth muscle. The walls withstand and smooth out the high pressure of each heartbeat.

  4. 4

    Describe how veins are adapted to return blood to the heart.

    Model answer

    Veins have thin walls, a wide lumen and pocket valves. The valves stop low-pressure blood flowing backwards.

  5. 5

    How are capillaries adapted for exchange with the tissues?

    Model answer

    Capillary walls are one cell thick, giving a short diffusion distance. The narrow lumen slows the blood, allowing time for exchange.

  6. 6

    What are arterioles, and why are they important in exercise?

    Model answer

    Arterioles are small arteries with smooth muscle in their walls. The smooth muscle lets arterioles widen or narrow to control blood flow to each tissue.

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