Name_____________________Date________Period____
The Cardiovascular System:
Heart and Blood Vessels
1. Three main functions of the cardiovascular system:
a. carries needed substances to cells
b. carries waste products away from cells
c. blood contains cells that fight disease
2. atrium/atria: holding chambers; two upper chambers (left and right); receives
blood coming into the heart
3. ventricles: pumping chambers; two lower chambers (left and right); pumps blood out
of the heart
4. Three types of circulation:
a. coronary circulation—flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart;
carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart; if blocked can cause heart attack
b. pulmonary circulation—flow of blood from heart to lungs; wastes (CO2)
removed in lungs and oxygen added
c. systemic circulation—oxygen rich blood flows through arteries to all organs
and body tissues; largest circulation; oxygen poor blood flows back to
the heart in veins
5. Blood Vessels:
a) artery—blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart; ex: pulmonary
artery and aorta; thick walls made of 3 cell layers---inner layer = epithelial tissue;
middle layer = muscle tissue; outer layer = connective tissue; highest blood
pressure measured in arteries
b) vein—blood vessels that carry blood to the heart; veins contain valves to keep
blood flowing in one direction; 3 layers with muscle tissue in the middle; thinner
than arteries
c) capillary—smallest vessels; one cell layer thick; connect arteries and veins
Blood Vessels
Directions: Each of the following statements refers to arteries, veins, or capillaries. In
the blank provided, write the appropriate blood vessel(s). (There is a section just like
this on the chapter test.)
1. are one cell layer thick
___________
2. contain a layer of smooth muscle
___________
3. carry blood away from the heart
___________
4. contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backward
___________
5. connect between two of the blood vessels
___________
6. measure the highest blood pressure
___________
7. allow gases and nutrients to pass through the vessels’ walls
___________
8. carry blood to the heart
___________
9. are the thickest of the 3 blood vessels
___________
10. aorta
___________
Blood Pressure
Directions: Explain or define the following
11. blood pressure—force of blood on the vessel walls
12. sphygmomanometer—instrument used to measure blood pressure
13. systolic—top number----measures ventricular contraction
14. diastolic—bottom number----measure ventricular relaxation
(Example of blood pressure reading: 110/70)