Biology Study Guide
1.
Physiology I Benchmark (ch 37)
What is the function and location of the aorta? (946)
The aorta is located on the left side of the heart and it is the first of a series of blood vessels that carry the
blood on its round trip through the body and back to the heart.
2. What is the function and location of the 4 heart valves? (944-945)
Prevents blood from flowing backwards.
3. What is the function and location of the right and left atrium? (945)
Atriums are located in the top half of the heart and the function is to receive blood.
4. What is the function and location of the right and left ventricles? (945)
Ventricles are located in the bottom half of the heart and the function is to pump blood out of the heart.
5.
What are the main components of the circulatory system? (943)
The main components are the heart, a series of blood vessels, and the blood that flows through them.
6. What are the functions of the circulatory system? (943)
The function is to deliver oxygen, nutrients, and waste products to cells.
7.
What are the two main causes of cardiovascular (heart) disease? (949)
High blood pressure and atherosclerosis are the main causes of cardiovascular disease.
8. What type of blood cell is responsible for blood clotting? (953)
Platelets are the plasma protein and cell fragment that makes blood clotting possible.
9. What type of blood cell is responsible for carrying oxygen? (952)
Red blood cells transport oxygen.
10. What is the function of white blood cells (leukocytes)? (952)
White blood cells guard against infection, fight parasites, and attack bacteria.
11. What is the function of hemoglobin? (952)
Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein that binds oxygen in the lungs and transports it to tissues
throughout the body.
12. What is meant by pulmonary circulation and systemic circulation? (945)
Pulmonary circulation is the pathway of blood from the heart to the lungs.
Systemic circulation is the pathway of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
13. What are the three types of blood vessels and what is the function of each? (946-947)
Arteries carry blood from the heart to the tissues of the body.
Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are where nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the cells and
where carbon dioxide and waste products are absorbed.
Veins return the blood from the body to the heart.
14. Why are capillaries so thin? (947)
Capillaries are thin so that diffusion of nutrients and waste can occur.
15. Trace the flow of blood in the heart, starting with the right ventricle? (944)
Blood from the right ventricle will travel to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries. Once it reaches the
lungs, it will pick up oxygen and drop off carbon dioxide. From the lungs blood travels through the
pulmonary veins back to the left atrium of the heart, it is pumped into the left ventricle and then leaves
through the aorta to travel to the body through arteries. Arteries will turn into capillaries and then blood will
travel back to the heart through veins. It enters the superior/inferior vena cava and into the right atrium.
Biology Study Guide
Physiology I Benchmark (ch 37)
16. What is the function of the septum? (945)
The septum divides the right and left side of the heart.
17. Blood plasma is composed of what items? (951)
Blood plasma is composed of 90 percent water and 10 percent nutrients consisting of dissolved gases, salts,
nutrients, enzymes, hormones, waste products, and proteins called plasma proteins.
18. Is blood pressure higher in your veins or arteries? Why? (948)
Blood pressure is higher in the arteries because when the heart contracts it produces waves of fluid pressure.
19. What are the main functions of your blood? (951)
Blood collects oxygen from the lungs, nutrients from the digestive tract, and waste products from tissues. It
helps regulate factors in the body ‘s internal environment. It helps maintain homeostasis.
20. Draw a white blood cell and a red blood cell. (952)
Figure 37-8 on page 952.
21. What is the name and function of the large flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity? (959)
Diaphragm.
22. What is the function of alveoli and where are they located? (958)
The function of the alveoli is to allow the transfer of air (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to the capillary. It is
located in the bronchi, more specifically the bronchioles are subdivided into the alveoli.
23. Where is the trachea and what is its function? (956)
The trachea is located below the pharynx in the throat. It is the windpipe that divides the left and right
bronchi.
24. Where is the pharynx and what is its function? (956)
The pharynx is located at the back of the mouth and it serves as a passageway for both air and food.
25. Where is the larynx and what is its function? (958)
The larynx is located at the top of the trachea and it contains two highly elastic folds of tissue known as the
vocal cords.
26. Where is the epiglottis and what is is its function? (956)
The epiglottis is at the entrance of the trachea and it covers the entrance of the trachea when you swallow.
27. What is the difference between cellular respiration and respiration? (956)
Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria and it releases energy from the breakdown of food
molecules in the presence of oxygen. Respiration means the process of gas exchange, more specifically the
release of carbon dioxide and the uptake of oxygen in the lungs.
28. What is responsible for: warming, moistening, and filtering air before it reaches the lungs? (957)
Mucus moistens the air and traps inhaled particles. Cilia sweeps trapped particles towards the pharynx.
29. What is diffusion? How does diffusion play a role in alveoli? (958)
Diffusion is the movement of particles from areas of high concentration to area of low concentration. It plays
a role in the alveoli because that is the location where oxygen passes into the bloodstream and carbon
dioxide diffuses to the lungs.
30. When you inhale, what causes air to fill your lungs? (959)
Outside air pressure causes the lungs to fill up with air.
Biology Study Guide
Physiology I Benchmark (ch 37)
31. How does the medulla oblongata(in your brain) monitor your breathing? (960)
Cellis in its breathing center monitor the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, as carbon dioxide level
rises, nerve impulses are sent from the breathing center causing the diaphragm to contract, bringing air into
the lungs.
32. What is the function and location of the sinoatrial nodes (pacemaker)? (946)
The sinoatrial node is located in the right atrium and it set’s the pace for the heart by starting the wave of
muscle contractions through the heart. They are also known as the pacemaker.