Cardiorespiratory SAC revision sheet
Outline the key functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory system.
The
Compare the structure and function of blood vessels (arteries, veins &
capillaries.
Arteries (thick walls) carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the
lungs where the capillaries which wrap around the alveoli and exchange
oxygen and carbon dioxide. deoxygenated blood gets passed through
the veins and enters the heart where it is pumped out of the body
through the aorta to supply oxygen around the body.
Functions of the components of blood: red blood cells, white blood
cells, plasma and platelets.
The blood is composed of 55% plasma, a yellowish fluid that helps to
transport nutrients and excrete waste. 45% red blood cells produced on
bone marrow, that exchange gases. 1% white blood cells that produce
antibodies to fight infection, and 1% platelets that clot blood.
The role of the cardiovascular system in thermoregulation: homeostasis,
hypothermia (vasoconstriction) & hyperthermia (vasodilation).
Thermoregulation refers to the maintenance of internal body
temperature between 36.5 and 37.5 degrees where 37 is the optimal
temperature.
Hypothermia occurs in low temperatures below 28 degrees Celsius. The
blood vessels constrict underneath the skins surface to prevent heat
escaping from the body (vasoconstriction)
Hyperthermia refers to a rise in core temperature above 37.5 -38.3
degrees Celsius. The blood vessels on the skins surface expand to expel
heat from the body and prevent overheating.
Severe cases of hyperthermia include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and
heat stroke.
Explain the blood flow through the heart.
Venous blood enters the superior and inferior vena cava. It then the
right atrium until it fills, putting pressure on the tricuspid valve to open
and flow into the right ventricle. Oxygenated blood is then pumped into
the pulmonary artery which carry’s it towards the capillaries which wrap
around the alveoli in the lungs and exchange gases. Pulmonary diffusion
occurs, where the high levels of CO2 produced in the lungs, are expelled
from the lungs. The oxygenated blood gets taken by the capillaries to the
left pulmonary vein. It then flows through the left atrium until it fills. It
passes through the bicuspid valve and into the left ventricle to prevent
backflow. Blood is pumped up into the aorta where is delivered to the
rest of the body, e.g muscles and organs.
Identify and explain cardiovascular acute responses to exercise and how
they assist performance during maximal/submaximal activity.
Cardiovascular acute responses to exercise are immediate physiological
changes to the body that occur for the body to cope with demands of
physical exertion.
Label key structures of the respiratory system.
Nose/mouth, nasal cavity, larynx, pharynx, diaphragm, lungs, bronchus
bronchioles, alveoli
Describe the process of gaseous exchange (diffusion).
Refers to the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen
gas in the lungs, moving with the concentration gradient.
Defining key cardiorespiratory conditions such as coronary heart
disease, cholesterol, atherosclerosis, asthma and COPD.
Atherosclerosis – arterial walls become clogged up with plaque, which
narrows the blood vessel, restricting blood flow so the heart has to work
hard to pump blood around the body.
Coronary heart disease – plaque builds up in the coronary arteries,
restricting oxygenated blood flow to the heart. Treated using stents to
widen the arteries.
Cholesterol is a fatty, wax like substance that can either be bad (LDL)
which blocks the arteries increasing the risk of heart disease or or good
(HPL) which carries cholesterol to the liver for removal
Hypertension – abnormally high blood pressure, due to excess salt
consumption or diets high in fat, (LDL)
Stroke – blood supply to the brain is disrupted, leading to temporary or
permanent disability. Eg lack of speech, thinking and emotional
regulation.
Asthma – inflammation in pathways in the lungs causing wheezing,
shortness of breath and chest tightness.
CPOD – restricted airflow in the lungs due to damage and flem. Can be
caused by smoking and air pollution. Symptoms include cough,
tiredness, difficulty breathing, wheezing.
Enablers and barriers to cardiorespiratory health.
high energy levels, good fitness, good diet, genetics – enablers
barriers – smoking, air pollution, poor diet, malnutrition, inactive
Social, cultural and environmental influences to cardiorespiratory health.
Legal (e.g. altitude training) and illegal strategies (e.g. EPO) that enhance
the performance of the cardiorespiratory system.
Legal methods – altitude training, performed in an environment 1600
metres above sea level where oxygen levels are low. Athletes must
adapt to the low oxygen conditions which improves VO2 max. hypoxic
training is an alternative version of altitude training where athletes live
in tents or houses with low oxygen conditions so that their bodies can
adapt to the new environment.
Beta blockers are illegal performance enhancers which help blood
vessels to dilate, lowering resting heart rate and reducing tremor.
EPO – hormone that stimulates red blood cell production in the bone
marrow that can help improve endurance
Identify and explain health risks associated with illegal performance
enhancer’s such as EPO.
Ethical considerations surrounding the use of performance enhancing
substances.
- Justice (not fair and equal rights for all athletes)
- Trigger autoimmune diseases
Identify and explain respiratory acute responses to exercise and how
they assist performance during maximal/submaximal activity.
Stoke volume – amount of blood pumped in and out of the heart per minute.
Tidal volume –
Respiratiory rate – number of breaths per minute
Ventilation – amount inhaled and exhaled in a single breath.
V02 max – maximal oxygen intake that can be used to generate ATP.
