Cardiovascular System Lab Report

Section 24
TA: Michael Blatchley
Lab Manager: Michael Koo

Jie Bian
Tiffany Chu
Deepan Islam
Sabin Karki
Walter Zhao

November 02, 2016

Abstract:
The aim of this lab is to model the body’s circulatory system and experimentally determine how
different variables affect the flow rate of blood throughout the body. The first component of the
lab involved riding three roller coasters at Six Flags and using a SHARD device to obtain heart
rate data. The second part of the lab involved using electronic circuits and water tubes to model
the circulatory system, and changing specific variables to manipulate the "flow" of blood,
represented by current and water flow rate. The electronic circuits facilitated the simulation of
the circulatory system’s "circuitry", and the use of the water tubes simulated the blood vessels in
the body and how length and radius affect the flow. Results from the circuit portion
demonstrated that the body's circulatory system reflected that of a parallel circuit rather than a
series circuit due to less resistance offered by the former. Data from the water tubes was used to
experimentally confirm Poiseuille's Law. The conclusions from the hydraulics and circuit
sections were then applied to the data collected on the Six Flags Trip, where we understood there
is not a direct relationship between gravity and heart rate. Rather, the change in pressure on the
body resulting from sudden acceleration decreases overall blood pressure, and the baroreceptor
reflex compensates for this decrease by increasing heart rate to return blood pressure to
equilibrium.
Introduction:
The main regulator of the circulatory system is heart rate, which is critical to understand why. In
terms of analysis of gravity on the human body, we see that the rate of blood flow through blood
vessels is dependent upon the pressure in the tube and a decrease in the radius of the tube
increases flow and pressure. Blood pressure is further maintained by baroreceptors, which are
mechanoreceptors located in blood vessels to sense blood pressure and ensure homeostasis. At
rest, blood flow is approximately 5000 mL per minute, but can increase by a magnitude of up to
five or six times during times of strenuous exercise2. Arterial baroreceptors are triggered by
deviations in blood pressure and send action potentials to the brain to cause changes in heart rate.
The baroreceptor reflex is a homeostatic mechanism that stabilizes blood pressure. If blood
pressure is elevated, the baroreceptor reflex causes a negative feedback loop where high blood
pressure causes heart rate to decrease, which leads to a lower blood pressure. Lower blood
pressure leads to a decreased response of the baroreceptor reflex, which slows the decrease in
heart rate and leads to restoration of normal blood pressure.
Background for Hydraulics:
The second part of the experiment is to simulate blood dynamics using water and tubing, with
the use of plastic tubes carrying water being analogous to vessels carrying blood. As blood flows
through the circulatory system, it encounters blood vessels such as the veins, arteries, arterioles,
and capillaries. The main difference between these blood vessels is the thickness or diameter of
the walls of the vessels. A narrower tubule results in a higher pressure, such as in the aorta,
which is useful for the initial propulsion of blood throughout the body. However, according to
Poiseuille's equation, if the radius of the tube decreases, flow decreases overall.
We are assuming rubber tubing is not expanding under pressure obtained, and water is a good
model for blood dynamics. Variation of lengths and diameter will allow us to see which factor
affects flow. We will be using tubes with different lengths and diameters to model blood vessel
structure and experimentally see how differences in these factors affects blood flow. Specifically,
the olive tube has an inside diameter of 2.06 mm. The brown tube has an inside diameter of 1.85
mm. The charcoal tube has an inside diameter of 1.65mm. The green tube has an inside diameter
of 1.14mm. Finally, the pink tube has an inside diameter of 0.89 mm. Each color tube will have
varied lengths of 3cm, 6cm, 9cm, 12cm and 15cm. The volume flow rate is how much of a
distance a liquid travels per unit time, and will be measured by recording the time it took to fill a
certain volume of water.
Background for Circuits:
In this experiment, we modeled circuits as an analogy to blood flow in human body through
various organs. The heart is analogous to the battery, the organs and muscles to resistors, and the
blood pressure to voltage. Using these values, the model showed how resistors in series or in
parallel would affect pressure difference, blood flow, and resistance. The total voltage will be
controlled from the power source, and the voltage for the individual resistors in series and
parallels will both be calculated and measured experimentally. The experimental and theoretical
values of total resistance will be compared to verify the following equations: Ohm's Law, V =
IR, can be analogized to the pressure, flow, and resistance in blood circulation through
Poiseuille's Law, P = QR. The current from Ohm's Law (I) is analogous to the blood flow in
Poiseulle's Law (Q).

Hydraulics Procedure:
One group member was responsible for performing and collecting data for the water tube
experiments, while the other group members simultaneously worked on the circuit portion of the
laboratory. The relationship between the flow rate and the length or diameter of the tube was
analyzed. During the course of the hydraulics experiment, either the length of the tube or the
diameter was controlled in a single trial while filling the graduated cylinder with 20 mL of water.
1. Record the height from the water source to the attachment at the bottom for the tubes. (1.4 m)
2. Connect the 3cm olive tube to the hose after making sure that the hose connected to the water
source will not allow flow.
3. Place the end of the tube in a 20 mL graduated cylinder, and after, turn on the hose, so water
flow begins.
4. Using a stopwatch, measure how long it takes to fill the 20mL graduated cylinder, which
allows for calculation of flow. Time starts when hose is turned on to once water hits the 20mL
graduation. After time has been recorded, empty the graduated cylinder.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for another trial.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 for tubes of other lengths, i.e. 6cm, 9cm, 12cm, 15cm (same color).
7. Repeat steps 2-6 for tubes of different colors (brown, charcoal, green, pink). ( A total of 84
trials were conducted; 3 trials per each of the 28 tubes).
Derivation of Relevant Equations:
Resistance to blood flow is primarily determined by radius of the vessel, viscosity of blood, and
length of the vessel. Vessel diameter is the most important factor computationally.
Vessel resistance (R) is directly proportional to the blood vessel’s length (l) and blood viscosity
(n). Resistance is inversely proportional to the quartic of the radius (r). See the below equation

For the relationship of resistance with flow, resistance and pressure, we get:

This statement is Poiseuille's equation in a form which shows flow to be directly proportional to
the radius to the fourth power and change in pressure, and inversely proportional to length and
viscosity. The equation in direct relationship form is

This equation assumes laminar flow, straight and long blood vessels, and a Newtonian fluid (a
fluid with viscosity proportional to strain). However, because blood flow can be non-laminar
(called turbulent) and blood is not a Newtonian fluid, the model we use is not exactly an accurate
representation of blood dynamics.

Data:

The tank used to fill the graduated cylinder with 20 mL of water was positioned 1.4 m above the
cylinder.
Tube Color and Diameter (mm) Time to Flow Rate Average Flow
Length (cm) fill (mL/s) Rate (mL/s)
20 mL (s)
Pink (6 cm) 0.89 37.69 0.530644733 0.548388142
35.95 0.556328234
35.83 0.55819146

Pink (3 cm) 0.89 23.17 0.863185153 0.857635533

23.72 0.84317032
23.08 0.866551127

Pink (10 cm) 0.89 30.11 0.664231152 0.662484206

30.08 0.664893617
30.38 0.658327847

Pink (12 cm) 0.89 31.97 0.625586487 0.620900489

32.10 0.62305296
32.57 0.61406202

Olive Green 2.06 3.26 6.134969325 6.123166239

(14.4 cm) 3.14 6.369426752
3.41 5.865102639

Olive Green 2.69 7.434944238 7.094633192

(5 cm) 2.06 2.82 7.092198582
2.96 6.756756757

Olive Green 2.06 3.13 6.389776358 6.442011834

(11 cm) 3.00 6.666666667
 3.19 6.269592476

Olive Green 2.06 2.63 7.604562738 7.76433622

(2 cm) 2.58 7.751937984
2.52 7.936507937

Olive Green 2.06 2.77 7.220216606 7.381863247

(3 cm) 2.68 7.462686567
2.68 7.462686567

Olive Green 2.06 2.89 6.920415225 6.893093491

(6 cm) 3.00 6.666666667
2.82 7.092198582

Olive Green 2.06 2.98 6.711409396 6.818876193

(8 cm) 2.75 7.272727273
3.09 6.472491909

Charcoal (3 cm) 1.65 3.97 5.037783375 4.794542929

4.29 4.662004662
4.27 4.683840749

Charcoal (2 cm) 1.65 4.58 4.366812227 4.389518382

4.50 4.444444444
4.59 4.357298475

Charcoal 1.65 5.77 3.466204506 3.280722629

(13.7 cm) 6.18 3.236245955
6.37 3.139717425

Charcoal (5 cm) 1.65 4.59 4.357298475 4.247680903

4.77 4.192872117
4.77 4.192872117

Charcoal (11 1.65 5.49 3.64298725 3.700058725

cm) 5.29 3.780718336
5.44 3.676470588

Charcoal (8 cm) 1.65 5.23 3.824091778 3.786404369

5.40 3.703703704
5.22 3.831417625

Dark Green (9 1.14 13.47 1.484780995 1.53092866

cm) 12.88 1.552795031
12.86 1.555209953

Dark Green (15 1.14 15.35 1.302931596 1.265867699

cm) 15.92 1.256281407
16.15 1.238390093

Dark Green (12 1.14 14.97 1.336005344 1.356318856

cm) 15.18 1.317523057
14.13 1.415428167

Dark Green 1.14 10.93 1.829826167 1.727726612

(6.0 cm) 11.79 1.696352841
12.07 1.657000829

Dark Green 1.14 10.87 1.839926403 1.841277555

(2.9 cm) 10.59 1.888574127
11.14 1.795332136

Dark Green 1.14 10.69 1.87090739 1.839330448

(3.2 cm) 11.13 1.796945193
10.81 1.85013876

Brown (12 cm) 1.85 4.13 4.842615012 4.906466361

4.07 4.914004914
4.03 4.962779156
Brown (3.2 cm) 1.85 3.59 5.571030641 5.520124464
3.66 5.464480874
3.62 5.524861878
Brown (15 cm) 1.85 4.45 4.494382022 4.655223709
4.14 4.830917874
4.31 4.64037123
Brown (6.1 cm) 1.85 4.02 4.975124378 5.069237649
3.85 5.194805195
3.97 5.037783375
Brown (10.1 1.85 4.11 4.866180049 4.947163511
cm) 4.03 4.962779156
3.99 5.012531328

The hydraulic results demonstrate that the radius of a tube carrying a fluid has a much greater
effect on the flow rate than does the length of the tube. This relationship is also seen in the
circulatory system; vessels contract and dilate to modulate blood flow in response to
environmental stresses.
Electric Circuit Procedure

Figure 1: Five Resistors Connected in Series.

The figure above depicts resistors in series with a power source providing the current. Resistors
placed in this configuration would share the same current provided by the power source. When in
this configuration, the voltage of each individual resistor depends on the proportion of resistance
Rx
multiplied by the total voltage provided by the source: V x = V can be used to calculate the
R tot tot
voltage in any resistor x. The total resistance in a circuit configured with resistors in series is Rtot
V tot
= R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn. Therefore, I tot = .
R 1+ R 2+...+ R n
Figure 2: Five Resistors Connected in Parallel.
The figure above depicts resistors in parallel with a power source providing the voltage.
Resistors placed in this configuration would share the same voltage provided by the source.
When in this configuration, the current in each individual resistor depends on the proportion of
R tot
resistance multiplied by the total current provided by the source: I x = I can be used to
R x + Rtot tot
calculate the current in any resistor x. The total resistance in a circuit configured with resistors in
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
series is = + +...+ . Therefore, I tot =V tot ( + +...+ ) and the total current would
R tot R1 R2 Rn R1 R2 Rn
be greater than in the series configuration.
Theoretically, when multiple resistors are connected in series and in parallel, the total resistance
will be calculated as following:
1. Connect leads to voltage source and circuit board.
2. Connect resistors in series and/or in parallel.
3. Measure the total resistance with a multimeter. The following equations will be used to
calculate the resistances:
Rexp: total experimental resistance
Series: Rexp = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn = Ri for i = 1, 2, ... n
Parallel: 1/Rexp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + … + 1/RN
Rtheo: total theoretical resistance
4. Percent difference between theoretical and experimental resistance will be calculated to
verify the equations.
Throughout the experiment the voltage source was kept constant. However, there was
experimental error as individual resistors sometimes showed varying voltage levels.
Additionally, current was not measured at all.
Results:
We were not able to measure the current in the experiment due to equipment failure. Therefore,
we are only able to calculate the total resistance according to the equations:
Series: Rexp = R1 + R2 + R3 + ... + Rn = Ri for i = 1, 2, ... n
Parallel: 1/Rexp = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 + … + 1/RN
The voltage is measured across individual resistors.

Resistors in series:
Resistors Resistance (Ω) Total Resistance (Ω) Voltage (V)
R1 33k 77680 10.0
R2 33k 77680 10.0
R3 10k 77680 3.0
R4 1k 77680 0.3
R5 680 77680 0.6

Resistors in parallel:
Resistors Resistance (Ω) Total Resistance (Ω) Voltage (V)
R1 33k 380 30.1
R2 33k 380 30.1
R3 10k 380 30.1
R4 1k 380 30.1
R5 680 380 30.1

Discussion of Circuits:
From the data collected, we can see that when connected in series, the voltage across each
individual resistors are the same and the voltage is independent of the resistance, whereas the
voltage varies with respect to resistance when connected in parallel.
In human bodies, suppose if all the organs are connected in series, the blood pressure will change
with respect to the "resistance" of each organ, and the blood flow will be the same at every point.
This is not, however, how human bodies work. Human bodies have organs mostly in parallel so
that the organs will receive different amount of oxygen supplies.
Six Flags Protocol:
Data Collection (heart rate and acceleration of the subject is collected by the SHARD)

1. While the park is closed, the SHARD subject will first go to the Superman ride, as it is
the farthest away from the park entrance. The subject will put on the SHARD device and
ride the Superman, following the procedure below:
a. Wet the polar areas on the strap
b. Clip strap around sternum with clip on front of body
c. Put memory card into the SHARD
 d. Attach SHARD to body by tying the straps around the waist
e. Make sure SHARD is vertical to collect accurate data
f. Turn SHARD switch on and observe red light flash with heart beat
2. The subject responsible for recording data will remain on the ground and record the
following data:
a. Time SHARD is turned on
b. Time ride begins
c. Time points where significant drops, loops and turns occur
d. Time ride ends
3. Following each ride:
a. Save data from SHARD
b. Remove memory card, place in adapter, and cut and paste into a new folder on
your computer (rename the file according to the trial number and ride)
4. The SHARD subject will ride the Superman, Joker’s Jinx, and Voodoo Drop rides three
times each, recording and saving all of the above data points each time.
5. Following all data collection, MATLAB will be used to analyze the SHARD data. The
significant loops, drops, and turns recorded earlier will be matched with the
corresponding heart rate and acceleration changes.

Six Flags Data:

Superman-Ride of Steel:
Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3: (Shared data from Sid's group)

Joker's Jinx:
Trial 1:

Trial 2:
Trial 3:(Shared data from Sid's group)

Voodoo Drop:
Trial 1:
Trial 2:

Trial 3:
Six Flags Discussion:
Heart rate was observed to decrease with the Superman drop, while acceleration increased. These
observations make sense based on the knowledge gleaned about the baroreflex and sympathetic
and parasympathetic nervous systems, as the baroreflex works to maintain the body's blood
pressure.
The factors involved in the control of blood flow include radius of the blood vessel, resistance of
the blood vessel to flow, and pressure of the blood. Decreases in tube radius results in a decrease
in flow. If tube length increases, flow increases. Tubes in parallel results in a decrease in flow.
Tubes in series increase flow. Exercise leads to increases in heart rate and blood pressure. During
exercise, blood vessels undergo vasodilation, and if the radius of the blood vessel increases, then
resistance increases. In the rollercoaster, heart rate initially decreases due to acceleration, which
triggers a decrease in blood pressure. Upon sensing this decrease in blood pressure, the
baroreceptors undergo the baroreflex, which increases the heart rate at an attempt to restore
blood pressure. During rest, the baroreflex should be active to ensure homeostasis of blood
pressure. During exercise, the baroreflex should be more active than at rest due to disruptions in
blood pressure caused by vasodilation. On rollercoasters, the baroreflex corrects for the decrease
in heart rate and blood pressure caused by the acceleration by increasing the heart rate to bring
back blood pressure levels to normal.
Conclusion:
Analysis of heart rate data from Six Flags confirmed the hypothesis by demonstrating that
changes in heart rate were ultimately, but not directly resultant of rapid changes in acceleration,
such as those in drops and loops. To clarify, heart rate was not directly related to acceleration,
but sudden accelerations resulted in a decrease in blood pressure. The baroreceptor reflex, in
turn, increases heart rate to increase blood flow and return blood pressure to equilibrium.
In the hydraulics section of the lab, Poiseuille’s law was confirmed experimentally by showing
that blood flow is indeed affected by both the length and radius of tubes representing vasculature.
Diameter however had a proportionally larger effect on the rate of flow than the length did. In
the body, blood vessels mimic this behavior through the dilation and contraction.
In the circuit portion of the lab, fundamental circuit theory was used to show that resistance of a
circuit in parallel is less than the resistance of a circuit in series. This lends support to our model
of the circulatory system as a parallel circuit, as this would require less energy expenditure by
the heart to pump blood to all the organs.
Nomenclature:
Symbol Units Quantity
Voltage V Volts Measured
Current I Amperes Calculated
Resistance Ω Ohms Measured
Pressure P Pascals Calculated
Flow Q m^3/s Calculated
Circulatory R Pascals*m^3/s Calculated
Resistance
Radius r m Measured
Viscosity µ Pa ⋅ s Cited
Length l m Measured

Literature Cited:

1. Klabunde, Richard E. "Determinants of Resistance to Flow (Poiseuille's Equation)." CV

Physiology:.
N.p., 08 Jan. 2008. Web. 01 Nov. 2016.

2. Clément, Gilles. The Heart in Space Effects of Space Flight on the Cardio-Vascular System.

Strasbourg,: International Space University, n.d. PPT.

Contributions:
Tiffany Chu: Electronic Circuit Section, Data Discussion, Conclusions
Deepan Islam: Abstract, Introduction, Graphs, Data Collection at Six Flags, Literature Cited
Sabin Karki: Hydraulics Section, Data Table, Data Discussion, Nomenclature, Abstract,
Literature Cited, Conclusions
Lucy Bian: Electronic Circuit Section, Data Discussion, Conclusions
Walter Zhao: Abstract, Data Collection at Six Flags, Graphs