Heart learning guide questions part 1

1. Discuss the reasons for the dual nature of the design in the human circulatory
system.
The double circulatory system refers to the blood flow of two separate systems. 
 

2. Explain the role of atria in the construction and function of the heart.

• Right Atrium: Receives blood returning to the heart from the superior and inferior vena cava. The superior vena cava returns de-oxygenated blood from the head, neck, arm and chest regions of the body to the right atrium. The inferior vena cava returns de-oxygenated blood from the lower body regions (legs, back, abdomen and pelvis) to the right atrium.
  
  
• Left Atrium: Receives blood returning to the heart from the pulmonary veins. The pulmonary veins extend from the left atrium to the lungs and bring oxygen-rich blood back to the heart.

3. Relate the structure of the ventricles to their primary circulatory function.

• Right ventricle: Receives blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the main pulmonary artery. The main pulmonary artery extends from the right ventricle and branches into left and right pulmonary arteries, which extend to the lungs. At that point oxygen-poor blood picks up oxygen and is returned to the heart via the pulmonary veins.
  
  
• Left ventricle: Receives blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the aorta. The aorta carries and distributes oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body.

4. Identify structural & functional differences between fetal and adult hearts.

Artery	Carries oxygenated blood away from the heart	Carries Non-oxygenated blood away from the fetal heart
Veins	Carries non-oxygenated blood towards the heart	Carries oxygenated blood back to the heart
Exchange of Gases	Takes places in the lungs	Takes place in the placenta
Pressure	Increase pressure on the left side of the heart	Increase pressure on the right side of the heart

5. Describe the location and structural arrangement of the heart in the Human Body.
 The heart is a pear shaped muscle the size of a fist, located in the middle of the human circulatory system, protected by the rib cage in the thoracic cavity.

6. Describe the phases of the cardiac cycle with respect to systolic pressure &
diastolic pressure.
The phases of the cardiac cycle involve ventricular ejection (systolic pressure) and ventricular relaxation (diastolic pressure.)