Physio
Cardiovascular Physiology and Blood Pressure
July 27, 2009
BY 409L - LW
Blake Perry
Lab Partners: Jennifer Rastegar and John Riopka
Abstract This experiment was designed to observe a baseline heart rate and blood pressure and to examine various modifications of the two. This experiment utilized both the BiopacPro and PhysioEx computer programs. The PhysioEx program was used to simulate a heart rate and modifications to it. The BiopacPro program was used to monitor a volunteer’s blood pressure; while PhysioEx was again used to monitor the modifications to it. Heart rate was shown to decrease as temperature decreases, increase in the presence of epinephrine, and fluctuate with addition of various ions. It was also found that increased pressure and blood vessel diameter result in increased blood flow.
Introduction In humans, the pumping of blood is essential to life. A consistent blood flow is achieved by the cardiac cycle. This cycle is controlled by the autorhythmic tissues of the heart (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). The cardiac cycle consists of two phases: the systole, or contraction phase, and the diastole, or relaxation phase. The wave of depolarization across the heart’s tissues is regulated by these autorhythmic tissues; this is what produces a consistent blood flow (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). Along with these autorhythmic tissues, the human heart also contains contractile tissues. Following a systole, these two tissues undergo a refractory period known as the diastole in which they cannot be excited into another systole. This allows the heart’s ventricles and atria to refill with blood and reset for the next systole (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). The QRS complex on the electrocardiogram denotes each systole. The neurons of the heart are not directly controlled by the human body’s central or peripheral nervous systems. Even without stimulation of the nerves, the heart will continue to beat at a steady rate (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). That
July 27, 2009
BY 409L - LW
Blake Perry
Lab Partners: Jennifer Rastegar and John Riopka
Abstract This experiment was designed to observe a baseline heart rate and blood pressure and to examine various modifications of the two. This experiment utilized both the BiopacPro and PhysioEx computer programs. The PhysioEx program was used to simulate a heart rate and modifications to it. The BiopacPro program was used to monitor a volunteer’s blood pressure; while PhysioEx was again used to monitor the modifications to it. Heart rate was shown to decrease as temperature decreases, increase in the presence of epinephrine, and fluctuate with addition of various ions. It was also found that increased pressure and blood vessel diameter result in increased blood flow.
Introduction In humans, the pumping of blood is essential to life. A consistent blood flow is achieved by the cardiac cycle. This cycle is controlled by the autorhythmic tissues of the heart (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). The cardiac cycle consists of two phases: the systole, or contraction phase, and the diastole, or relaxation phase. The wave of depolarization across the heart’s tissues is regulated by these autorhythmic tissues; this is what produces a consistent blood flow (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). Along with these autorhythmic tissues, the human heart also contains contractile tissues. Following a systole, these two tissues undergo a refractory period known as the diastole in which they cannot be excited into another systole. This allows the heart’s ventricles and atria to refill with blood and reset for the next systole (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). The QRS complex on the electrocardiogram denotes each systole. The neurons of the heart are not directly controlled by the human body’s central or peripheral nervous systems. Even without stimulation of the nerves, the heart will continue to beat at a steady rate (Wibbels & Vickery 2007). That
References: Wibbels, T., M. Vickery. (2007). Mammalian physiology BY409L laboratory manual 2E. Eden Prairie: bluedoor, LLC.