Diseases
What is anemia and how does it affect the body?
Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood produces a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells.
What is the primary function of veins in the circulatory system?
to carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart.
What is the primary function of arteries?
to carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
What is the main function of capillaries?
to transport blood, nutrients and oxygen to cells in your organs and body systems
What are the four chambers of the heart?
2 Atria and 2 Ventricles
What is arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries
What are venous valves, and why are they important?
Venous valves are small flap-like structures inside veins that prevent the backflow of blood.
What is the largest artery in the human body?
the aorta
Where are capillaries located?
between arteries and veins
What are the valves between a ventricle and an artery called?
Atrioventricular valves
How does arteriosclerosis affect blood flow?
Arteriosclerosis narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to vital organs and tissues.
How do veins differ from arteries in structure?
Veins have thinner walls than arteries.
Why do arteries have thick, muscular walls?
to withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped by the heart.
How do capillaries facilitate the exchange of substances between blood and tissues?
they allow oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to diffuse from the blood into tissues
What does a defibrillator do in relation to the heart?
to restore a normal heartbeat from an irregular heartbeat
Name three causes of anemia.
What is the biggest vein in the human body?
the vena cava
What is the only artery that transports oxygen-poor blood to the lungs?
the pulmonary artery
How many capillaries are in the human body?
~10,000,000,000
What is the function of the chambers of the heart?
The right atrium receives oxygen-poor blood from the body, and the right ventricle pumps it to the lungs. The left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, and the left ventricle pumps it to the rest of the body.