Q3 Unit 3: My Research of the Human Heart
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels in the circulatory system. Located behind and slightly left of the breastbone, the size of the heart is about the size of a fist. It is divided into two sides, separated by a septum, and has four chambers:
Right atrium: Receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and superior vena cava, then pumps it to the right ventricle.
Right ventricle: Receives deoxygenated blood from the right atrium through the tricuspid value and pumps it to the lungs, to take in oxygenated blood.
Left atrium: Receives oxygen-rich blood through the pulmonary veins from the lungs and pump it to the left ventricle.
Left ventricle: Receives oxygenated blood through the bicuspid (or mitral valve) and pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta. Blood pressure is produced by the left ventricle’s contractions
The right atrium contracts when it is filled with blood, which causes the tricuspid value to open and thus, pumps blood into the right ventricle. This process is known as atrial systole. After that, when the right ventricle is full with blood, it contracts triggering the pulmonary valves to open and pumps blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, in a process called ventricular systole. During this process, the left ventricle contracts and the aortic valve opens. This contraction pumps the oxygen-rich blood into the aorta and the rest of the body.
My Reflection:
In this research, I have applied the things that I have learnt before and incorporate with the new information from the investigation. I have learnt of new scientific terms and blood vessels that previously I did not know of.
Works Cited
Blahd, William H. Chambers of the Heart. 12 March 2014. Web. 2 March 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/heart/chambers-of-the-heart>.
British Heart Foundation - How does a healthy heart work? Dir. British Heart Foundation. 2009. Web. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep4cQrYFL0w>.
Lewis, Tanya. Human Heart: Anatomy, Function & Facts. 7 January 2015. Web. 2 March 2016. <http://www.livescience.com/34655-human-heart.html>.
NIH. Heart Contraction and Blood Flow. 17 November 2011. Web. 2 March 2016. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hhw/contraction>.
Roberts, Alice. The Complete Human Body: The Definitive Visual Guide . London : Dorling Kindersley Limited , 2010. Print .
WebMD. Heart Health Center. 15 November 2014. Web. 2 March 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/heart/picture-of-the-heart?page=3>.