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
capillary
2. contain a layer of smooth muscle
artery and vein
3. carry blood away from the heart
artery
4. contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backward
vein
5. connect between two of the blood vessels
capillaries
6. measure the highest blood pressure
artery
7. allow gases and nutrients to pass through the vessels’ walls
capillaries
8. carry blood to the heart
vein
9. are the thickest of the 3 blood vessels
artery
10. aorta
artery
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)