Hananiel E.

Demayo 11 – Fornax

General Biology 2 Assignment

1. Technologies related to circulatory system:

 Pacemaker
i. A pacemaker is a small device that's placed in the chest or abdomen to help
control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the
heart to beat at a normal rate.
ii. Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are problems with the
rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too
fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
 Electrocardiograph (ECG)
i. An electrocardiograph (ECG) is a test that is used to measure the electrical
activity of the heart.
ii. This electrical activity causes contractions of the heart muscle, which results in
the heart's pumping action.
iii. The ECG is recorded on paper, as spikes and dips called waves. By assessing the
pattern of these waves, your doctor can gauge the rhythm and the rate of your
heart beat.
 Stethoscope
i. An instrument that is used to transmit low-volume sounds such as a heartbeat
(or intestinal, venous, or fetal sounds) to the ear of the listener.
ii. A stethoscope may consist of two ear pieces connected by means of flexible
tubing to a diaphragm that is placed against the skin of the patient.
 Defibrillator
i. Defibrillators are devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric
pulse or shock to the heart. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, a
heartbeat that is uneven or that is too slow or too fast. Defibrillators can also
restore the heart’s beating if the heart suddenly stops.
 Sphygmomanometer
i. An instrument for measuring blood pressure, particularly in arteries. The two
types of sphygmomanometers are a mercury column and a gauge with a dial
face. The sphygmomanometer in most frequent use today consists of a gauge
attached to a rubber cuff which is wrapped around the upper arm and is inflated
to constrict the arteries.
 Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT)
i. Cat scanning adds X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-
sectional views anatomy. It can identify normal and abnormal structures and be
used to guide procedures. CAT scanning is painless. Iodine-containing contrast
material is sometimes used in CAT scanning.
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
i. A procedure that uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to create
pictures of areas inside the body.
ii. An MRI is painless and has the advantage of avoiding x-ray radiation exposure.
2. Diseases on Circulatory System
 Hypertension
i. Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure.
ii. This means that the blood applies too much force against the walls of the blood
vessels.
iii. Medical guidelines define hypertension as a blood pressure higher than 130
over 80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg)
 Aneurysm
i. An aneurysm refers to a weakening of an artery wall that creates a bulge, or
distention, of the artery.
ii. Types: Aortic, Cerebral, Peripheral
 Rheumatic Heart Disease
i. Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to heart
valves is caused by rheumatic fever. The heart valve is damaged by a disease
process that generally begins with a strep throat caused by bacteria called
Streptococcus, and may eventually cause rheumatic fever.
 Stroke
i. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or
reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain
cells begin to die.
ii. A stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment is crucial. Early action can
minimize brain damage and potential complications.
 Leukemia
i. Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone
marrow and the lymphatic system.
ii. Leukemia usually involves the white blood cells. Your white blood cells are
potent infection fighters — they normally grow and divide in an orderly way, as
your body needs them. But in people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces
abnormal white blood cells, which don't function properly.
 Sickle-cell Anemia
i. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited form of anemia — a condition in which there
aren't enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your
body.
ii. In sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells become rigid and sticky and are shaped
like sickles or crescent moons. These irregularly shaped cells can get stuck in
small blood vessels, which can slow or block blood flow and oxygen to parts of
the body.
 Atherosclerosis
i. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients
from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff —
sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries
are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a
condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.
 Thrombosis
i. The formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of
blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel (a vein or an artery)
is injured, the body uses platelets (thrombocytes) and fibrin to form a blood clot
to prevent blood loss. Even when a blood vessel is not injured, blood clots may
form in the body under certain conditions.
 Hemophilia
i. Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which your blood doesn't clot normally because
it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors). If you have
hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time after an injury than you would if
your blood clotted normally.
ii. Hemophilia is an inherited (genetic) disorder. Treatment includes regular
replacement of the specific clotting factor that is reduced.