General Plan
Why is a circulatory system needed in some animals?
List the functions of the circulatory system.
What are the three basic parts of any circulatory system.
What is the difference between diffusion and bulk flow? where is each used?
Describe the characteristics of an open circulatory system/ closed circulatory system and give examples of which animals have each system.
What are the physiological consequences of an open circulatory system? a closed system?
Give the basic design of a various animal hearts.
Describe the heart and circulatory system of a fish- What is the consequence of a single circuit system?
What advantage do mammals and birds have with a dual circuit system?
Understand how flow is a function of pressure and peripheral resistance.
Understand how lumen size of a vessel determines resistance.
Understand the basic design of the amphibian/reptile heart and what aspect of each heart provides the animal with the ability to shunt blood between lungs and body.
Why do these animals need to shunt blood from lungs?
Do mammals/birds ever shunt blood? How and when.
What is the physiological basis of these shunting mechanism?
Briefly describe the path a blood cell would take through the heart of an eagle.
Describe the relationship of heart mass and heart rate to body mass, which scales with specific metabolic demand?
Understand how cardiac output is a function of heart rate and stroke volume and how each can be altered to met metabolic demands.
During exercise increased oxygen consumption is met with increased cardiac output and increased oxygen extraction? How exactly is this done?
Describe the function of arteries -capillaries and veins and how each function is reflected in the anatomy
Where is the largest pressure drop in a closed circulatory system? Why is it here?
What is the main function of the capillary? How can the walls be so thin?
Is the velocity of blood flow through the capillaries fast or slow and what is the anatomical basis of this flow rate?
What physical principles govern exchange of substances at the capillary wall?
How can veins be the volume reservoir of the circulatory system? (anatomical basis)
Why are large aneurysms likely to rupture?
If a person sits in a hot tub for too long they may pass out. Why?
What is the diving reflex?