Introduction
You will investigate the components and functions of the cardiovascular system by utilizing the Cardiovascular System Interactive Physiology Module co-produced by Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co. and A.D.A.M. Software. This summary program will introduce many important structures and concepts that will be addressed in future lectures and recitation exercises. One recitation session will not provide you enough time to absorb all of the information contained on this CD disk. Use it to become familiar with the major principles and concepts.
YOUR MISSION
Have some fun as you explore this module. Of course, you will pay particular attention to the structure - function relationships, the functions and locations of the system components that influence cardiac output and blood pressure, and the point of each animated experiment. You should be able to complete the quizzes at the end of each topic section. Remember that your textbook will provide helpful detail!
A Few Questions and Suggestions:
Chapter One: Anatomy Review: The Heart
• Become familiar with the four chambers of
the heart, the major vessels,
the valves, chordae tendineae, papillary
muscles, and the pulmonary and
systemic systems.
• Understand the subcellular structures of
a cardiac muscle cell and their
functions.
• Why is this muscle striated?
Chapter Two: Intrinsic Conduction System
• Why is the SA node the pacemaker?
What property does it have that makes
it the pacemaker? What is the
molecular or ionic events that impart this property
to these cells?
• Trace the path of the excitation throughout
the heart. (Thought question: Why is
the conduction velocity in the
AV Bundle relatively low?)
Chapter Three: Cardiac Action Potential
• What gives rise to the Vm of cardiac muscle
cells?
• Draw the cardiac action potential and explain
the ionic basis for each phase of
this event.
Chapter Four: Cardiac Cycle
• Simple task here: know and understand what
is happening in each chamber of the
heart (i.e., the pressures, the state
of contraction/relaxation, and the position of the
valves) at each point on the ECG!
Chapter Five: Cardiac Output
• Understand how each of the variables listed
in the chapter contents affects cardiac
output.
Chapter Six: Anatomy Review: Blood Vessels
• What are the structural differences among arteries, veins, and capillaries?
• How do the structures of each type of vessel suit its function?
• Why is venous BP lower than arterial BP? What happens if it isn't?
• What are the respiratory and skeletal muscle pumps?
Chapter Seven: Measuring Blood Pressure
• Relax; this is a fun section. Do the quiz!
• What is TPR?
Chapter Eight: Factors That Affect BP
• Understand how each listed factor alters BP and CO.
Chapter Nine: BP Regulation
• Note the effects of sympathetic and parasympathetic
stimulation on the various
cardiovascular structures, i.e., the
heart and blood vessels.
• Be familiar with the hormonal mechanisms
that control blood volume. What do they
have to do with BP? What is
the relationship among these hormones, blood ions
(sodium and potassium) and BP?
Chapter Ten: Autoregulation and Capillary Dynamics
• What is autoregulation? How does it
function to control blood flow to an organ
when blood pressure drops?
• What are forces at work to influence the
movement of water and solutes in and
out of a systemic capillary?
• What happens to systemic capillary fluid
flow if venous BP increases, capillary
permeability increases (it becomes
leaky to proteins), or the individual suffers
from dehydration (plasma osmotic pressure
increases)?