Heart

• What is the mnemonic for the deoxygenated blood pathway to the lungs?

  Very Rude Real People
• What is the pathway of deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

  Vena cava → Right atrium → Right ventricle → Pulmonary artery → Lungs (gas exchange: CO₂ leaves, O₂ enters)
• What is the mnemonic for the oxygenated blood pathway from the lungs?

  LAVA
• What is the pathway of oxygenated blood from the lungs?

  Lungs → Pulmonary vein → Left atrium → Left ventricle → Aorta → Body
• What is the mnemonic for the systemic circulation pathway?

  Aunt Annie Ate Crisps Very Vigorously, Victor Ran Again
• What is the pathway of systemic circulation?

  Aorta → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Vena cava → Right atrium
• What is double circulation?


  Blood passes through the heart twice
• What is the pulmonary circulation loop?

  Heart → Lungs → Heart
• What is the systemic circulation loop?

  Heart → Body → Heart
• Why does the left ventricle have a thicker wall than the right?

  It pumps blood all around the body
• Which vessel brings oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

  Pulmonary vein
• Which vessel carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

  Pulmonary artery
• Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body?

  Aorta
• Which vessel brings deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart?

  Vena cava
• What are the functions and features of arteries?

  • Carry blood away from the heart
  • High pressure
  • Thick muscular walls
  • Small lumen
  • Oxygenated (except pulmonary artery)
• What are the functions and features of veins?

  • Carry blood to the heart
  • Low pressure
  • Thin walls
  • Large lumen
  • Have valves to prevent backflow
  • Deoxygenated (except pulmonary vein)
• What are the functions and features of capillaries?

  • Site of gas exchange
  • One cell thick walls
  • Tiny lumen
  • Allow diffusion of gases and nutrients
• What is the function of the heart valves?

  • Prevent backflow of blood
  • Ensure blood flows in the correct direction
• What are the four chambers of the heart?

  Right atrium, Right ventricle, Left atrium, Left ventricle
• Which side of the heart deals with deoxygenated blood?

  Right side
• Which side of the heart deals with oxygenated blood?

  Left side
• Which blood vessel connects capillaries to veins?

  Venules
• What happens in body tissue capillaries?

  • Oxygen diffuses from blood into cells
  • Carbon dioxide diffuses from cells into blood
• What happens in lung capillaries?

  • Carbon dioxide diffuses out of blood into alveoli
  • Oxygen diffuses into blood from alveoli
• Why are capillaries adapted for exchange?

  • Thin (1-cell thick) walls
  • Short diffusion distance
  • Large surface area
• What causes blood to move through the heart?

  Contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles
• Why is the circulatory system called a "closed" system?

  Blood is contained within vessels at all times
• Why does the heart rate increase during exercise?

  Muscles need more oxygen and glucose
• What is coronary heart disease (CHD)?

  Narrowed or blocked coronary arteries
• How can coronary heart disease be treated?

  • Stents: Keep arteries open
  • Statins: Lower blood cholesterol
  • Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, no smoking)
• How is heart rate controlled?

  By a pacemaker in the right atrium
• What are artificial pacemakers?

  Devices that control irregular heartbeats
• What is the role of red blood cells in the circulatory system?

  • Carry oxygen using haemoglobin
  • Biconcave shape = large surface area
  • No nucleus = more room for haemoglobin