Britani Wright
BIO1000
January 27, 2013
Capella University
Starting with the right ventricle of the heart, describe the function of the heart and the movement of the blood through the pulmonary and systemic circuit. Include a description of gas exchange within the lungs.
The function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. The heart pumps blood containing oxygen from the lungs to body. It passes blood without oxygen back to the lungs for more oxygen. The heart has four chambers; the two upper chambers are called atriums, and the two lower chambers are called ventricles. The left atrium is located above the left ventricle, and they are separate by a valve called the mitral valve. The …show more content…
There are toxic particles in smoke that can stimulate mucus secretion and destroy the infection-fighting phagocytes. (McMillan, 2010). Smoking can also make a person more susceptible to colds and other illnesses. Smoking has many risks, including bronchitis, cancer, asthma, emphysema, COPD, cardiovascular disease, slow bone healing and many more. Tobacco smoke in the body can convert into carcinogens, which can lead to lung cancer. Smoking can affect homeostasis by affecting oxygen levels and increasing the levels of carbon dioxide and by affecting the strength of the blood flow in the lungs. It would cause the heart to work harder to pump the blood to the lungs. (McMillan, …show more content…
There are several different ways that smoking can affect your heart. It can cause blood clots to forms in the vessels, which can lead to acute coronary syndrome. It can also affect your blood pressure by increasing the adrenaline in your body, which can constrict your blood vessels. The chemicals that are in tobacco can cause damage and inflammation in the vessels that can lead to atherosclerosis. Smoking is also been found to raise cholesterol in the body, causing stress on the heart. All of this can affect homeostasis, because it can cause the heart to have to work harder pumping blood by affecting the blood pressure that is generated by the heart to keep blood flowing, as well as by constricting the blood vessels. (McMillan, 2010)
After many years of smoking, during a routine doctor 's appointment, Jake is diagnosed with high blood pressure and early signs of emphysema. Explain the connection between his smoking habit and the