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Some Respiratory
System Malfunctions
Pathway of a
Red Blood
Cell through
the Heart
A = aorta
B = pulmonary arteries
C = pulmonary veins
D = left atrium
E = valve
F = left ventricle
G = right ventricle
H = valve
I = vena cavae
J = right atrium
Blood Composition
Plasma 55% (liquid part of the blood);
Blood Cells 45%
2. Lymphocytes--produce antibodies
which clump bacterial poisons or
bacteria (antigens) (antigens--foreign
substances in the body)
3. Platelets
--smallest blood cells (fragments)
--150,000 to 300,000 per drop of
blood
--needed for clotting
Clotting Process
Involves a series of enzyme controlled
reactions resulting in the formation of
protein fibers that trap blood cells and
form a clot.
Blood Vessels
1. Arteries
--carry blood away from the heart
--usually spurt blood when cut
--all except the pulmonary artery carry
oxygenated blood
--thick walled and elastic
pulse: expansion and contraction of the
artery walls in response to the heartbeat
Veins
--carry blood toward the heart
--contain valves
--closer to the body surface than the
arteries
--all except the pulmonary vein carry
deoxygenated blood
--thinner, less muscular and elastic than
arteries
--depend upon muscle and diaphragm
movements for blood flow
Capillaries
--most numerous vessels
--connect arteries to veins
--microscopic, one cell thick walls
--site of much exchange between the
blood and the intracellular fluid (lymph)
by diffusion
Lymph vessels
-have walls one cell thick
-present around all body cells
-Lymph composition is similar to that of
blood except for the absence of RBC
and some plasma proteins.
-chief site of material exchange with the
tissues
Causes implicated:
1. excess sodium intake
2. stress
3. cigarettes (nicotine)
4. saturated fats
5. alcohol & caffeine
6. obesity
7. heredity & aging
No cure--may be treated by medication & diet.
"Silent killer"--millions don't know they have it
Angina pectoris
--pain in the chest which radiates into the
left shoulder and arm
--occurs especially when physical
exertion results in a lack of oxygen
supply to the heart muscle
--caused by a reduction of blood supply
due to partial blockage(s) of coronary
arteries