Physiology of the Circulatory System

Introduction: The main function of the circulatory system is to distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and to tissues for growth. Another function it has is metabolism and to remove metabolic wastes. The ...

Introduction: The main function of the circulatory system is to distribute oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and to tissues for growth. Another function it has is metabolism and to remove metabolic wastes. The circulatory system is mainly made up of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. The right side of the heart receives blood with no oxygen from body tissues and pumps it to the lungs. The left side of the heart receives blood with oxygen in them and it delivers it to body tissues. When the body becomes more active, the delivery of oxygen to muscle cells increases. The heart rate increases, there is less blood going to none muscular tissues, increased body temperature and heavier breathing. The blood pressure also increases due to a increased force on the blood vessels. The objective of this experiment is to find out the effects of exercise to heart rate and blood pressure. Hypothesis: If exercise increases then heart rate and blood pressure will also increase Materials: To measure blood pressure, a blood pressure machine is needed. Also, a stop watch is needed to time how long we do a certain exercise or for how long we count our pulse. A chair or a stool is needed for the step-up part of this lab. Methods: Test 1 Exercise 10A (Measuring blood pressure) 1. Work in pairs. Those who are to have their blood pressure measured should be seated with both shirt sleeves rolled up. 2. Attach the cuff of the electronic blood pressure measurement tool snugly around the upper arm. 3. Pump air into the cuff by squeezing the air pumper until the pressure gauge goes past 200 mm Hg. 5. Slowly release the air from the cuff by pressing a button on the air pump. 6. Note the pressure on the gauge. This is the systolic pressure. 7. Continue to slowly release air. Note the second pressure. This is the diastolic pressure. 8. Repeat the measurement two more times and determine the average systolic and diastolic pressure, then record these values on the data sheet . 9. Trade places with your partner. When your average systolic and diastolic pressure have been determined, record these values on the blood pressure data sheet.