Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 6.2 The Blood System Part 9
What does complete blockage of coronary arteries create?
Complete blockage means cells in the area of the heart not receiving blood will not be able to respire aerobically; these cells will be unable to contract, leading to a heart attack
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
What does complete blockage of coronary arteries create?
Complete blockage means cells in the area of the heart not receiving blood will not be able to respire aerobically; these cells will be unable to cont...
What happens when an atheroma ruptures?
Atheromas can sometimes rupture, leading to the development of a blood clot
Why can blood clots worsen the occlusion of arteries?
Blood clots can worsen existing blockages, or break off and travel into smaller blood vessels
What 2 events can travelling blood clots cause?
Blood clots that travel to the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack
Blood clots that travel to the brain can lead to a stroke
What are the 6 risk factors of coronary heart disease? (v1 savemyexams)
Consumption of trans-fats; constant high blood sugar; high blood pressure; high blood concentrations of LDL; smoking; infection by certain microbes
How is the consumption of trans fats a risk factor for coronary heart disease?
These damage the endothelium of the artery initiating formation of an atheroma
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What does complete blockage of coronary arteries create? | Complete blockage means cells in the area of the heart not receiving blood will not be able to respire aerobically; these cells will be unable to contract, leading to a heart attack |
What happens when an atheroma ruptures? | Atheromas can sometimes rupture, leading to the development of a blood clot |
Why can blood clots worsen the occlusion of arteries? | Blood clots can worsen existing blockages, or break off and travel into smaller blood vessels |
What 2 events can travelling blood clots cause? | Blood clots that travel to the coronary arteries can cause a heart attack
Blood clots that travel to the brain can lead to a stroke |
What are the 6 risk factors of coronary heart disease? (v1 savemyexams) | Consumption of trans-fats; constant high blood sugar; high blood pressure; high blood concentrations of LDL; smoking; infection by certain microbes |
How is the consumption of trans fats a risk factor for coronary heart disease? | These damage the endothelium of the artery initiating formation of an atheroma |
How is constant high blood sugar causes? | This is usually the result of consumption of foods high in carbohydrate |
How is high blood pressure a risk factor for coronary heart disease? | This increases the force of the blood against the artery walls and consequently leads to damage of the vessels
Blood pressure can increase due to smoking or stress |
How is high blood concentrations of LDLs a risk factor for coronary heart disease? | Speeds up the build up of fatty plaques in the arteries, leading to blockages |
How is smoking a risk factor for coronary heart disease? | Chemicals in smoke cause an increase in plaque build up and an increase in blood pressure
Carbon monoxide also reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells |
How is infection by certain microbes a risk factor for coronary heart disease? | Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the arterial wall and trigger inflammation which promotes atherosclerosis
Microbes of the small intestine produce the chemical trimethylamine N-oxide which promotes atherosclerosis |
Summarise the structure of the artery | Three thick layers in their walls; A high proportion of muscle and elastic fibres; Narrow lumen; No valves |
Summarise the structure of capillaries | Walls are only one cell thick (endothelial layer only); No muscle or elastic fibres; No valves |
Summarise structure of veins | Thin walls with three layers; Low proportion of muscle and elastic fibres compared to arteries; Large lumen; Valves (usually) present |
What does the sympathetic nerve release? | The sympathetic nerve releases the neurotransmitter noradrenaline (a.k.a. norepinephrine) to increase heart rate |
What does the parasympathetic nerve release? | The parasympathetic nerve (vagus nerve) releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to decrease heart rate |
Apart from narrowing lumen, what other feature of the artery changes due to atherosclerosis? | The damaged region is repaired with fibrous tissue which significantly reduces the elasticity of the vessel wall |
What is the scientific name of a blood clot, and what is its name when it travels? | If the plaque ruptures, blood clotting is triggered, forming a thrombus that restricts blood flow
If the thrombus is dislodged it becomes an embolus and can cause a blockage in a smaller arteriole |
What is an atherosclerotic plaque? | As the smooth lining of the artery is progressively degraded, lesions form called atherosclerotic plaques |
How can atherosclerosis be treated? | Blockages of coronary arteries are typically treated by by-pass surgery or creating a stent (e.g. balloon angioplasty) |
bioninja what are the risk factors of coronary heart disease? | Age – Blood vessels become less flexible with advancing age; Genetics – Having hypertension predispose individuals to developing CHD; Obesity – Being overweight places an additional strain on the heart; Diseases – Certain diseases increase the risk of CHD (e.g. diabetes); Diet – Diets rich in saturated fats, salts and alcohol increases the risk; Exercise – Sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of developing CHD; Sex – Males are at a greater risk due to lower oestrogen levels; Smoking – Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure; Mnemonic: A Goddess |
bioninja summary of atherosclerosis | Atheromas (fatty deposits) develop in the arteries and significantly reduce the diameter of the lumen (stenosis); The restricted blood flow increases pressure in the artery, leading to damage to the arterial wall (from shear stress); The damaged region is repaired with fibrous tissue which significantly reduces the elasticity of the vessel wall; As the smooth lining of the artery is progressively degraded, lesions form called atherosclerotic plaques; If the plaque ruptures, blood clotting is triggered, forming a thrombus that restricts blood flow; If the thrombus is dislodged it becomes an embolus and can cause a blockage in a smaller arteriole |