Describe the functions of various parts of the mammalian heart (20mks)

  • Pericardial membrane – secretes a lubricating fluid; encloses the heart; prevents over dilation of the heart
  • Fat layer – prevents mechanical shock / cushions the heart
  • Blood vessels – coronary artery supplies the heart muscles with oxygen and nutrients
  • Coronary vein carries away waste products of metabolism
  • Valves – prevent back flow of blood into the auricles
  • Valve tendons – prevents valves from turning inside out when systolic pressure is high.
  • Ventricles – are thick walled to pump blood out of the heart; are hollow to accommodate blood.
  • S.A.N (Sino-Atrial Node) – acts as a pace maker to set pace for heart to beat; initiates the rhythmic beating action of the heart.
  • Has AVN which receives the contractory wave from the SAN and spreads it to the purkinje tissue which then spreads the wave to the ventricular muscles.
  • Cardiac muscles – contract and relax without fatigue
  • Vagus nerve – slows down the heartbeat
  • Sympathetic – speeds up the hear beat
  • Connected to blood vessels which bring in and drain the heart.

(20mks)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Explain how structures of the human ear are adapted to their functions. (20 marks)

DESCRIBE THE ADAPTATIONS OF THE ILEUM TO ITS FUNCTION (20 MARKS)

(a) Define digestion. [2 m] (b) Describe the digestion of a piece of ugali in a human digestive system from the mouth until its assimilation. [18mks]