Name ________________________
Circulatory System Study Guide
Blood
1. What are the components of blood? Also list the function of each of the 4 components.
2. What is hematocrit? What does it tell you about a person’s blood?
3. Why is it bad to have a low hematocrit? Name and describe a condition that would cause this.
4. Why is it bad to have a high hematocrit? Name and describe a condition that would cause this.
5. What are the 4 major blood groups?
6. Which blood type is considered the universal donor? Why?
7. Which blood type is considered the universal recipient? Why?
8. What are the consequences of Rh incompatibility?
9. Why is it important to receive the correct type of blood during a transfusion?
10. How were you able to tell which blood type someone had during the blood typing lab?
Blood Vessels
1. Name the 5 different types of blood vessels and give their function.
2. What are two major differences between arteries and veins? Why do these differences exist?
3. Why are you able to feel your pulse?
4. What two locations are primarily used to take someone’s pulse? What are the names of these arteries?
5. What does blood pressure measure? There are two parts to someone’s bp – what is each part and
what units is bp recorded in?
6. Describe how to take someone’s blood pressure.
7. Describe what a clog in someone’s arteries could do to their blood pressure.
8. Describe what the weakening of the wall of a blood vessel could do if that same person’s arteries were
clogged.
Heart
1. Label the parts of the heart in the picture below.
2. Trace the blood flow on the heart diagram using arrows.
3. Why is the heart considered a “double pump?”
4. List the flow of blood through the heart, starting and ending with the right atrium.
5. What is unique about the pulmonary arteries and veins compared to the other arteries and veins in the
body?
6. Describe each type of circulation and what it accomplishes.
7. Why is the ventricular wall on the left side of the heart thicker than the ventricular wall on the right
side?
8. What is the purpose of the septum in the heart?
9. What is the function of the heart valves?
10. How does the heart beat? Describe the nodes, how they work, and the contraction and relaxation of
the heart muscle.