Blood Flow Worksheet

Demo 1-Pressure

1. What differences did you observe between steps 1 and steps 2?

2. In which step did you observe a higher pressure?

3. Which step reached 5.0 mL faster?

4. How can blood pressure affect the flow of blood?

5. Steve is a 47 year old male who has a lot of plaque buildup in his arteries due to lack of exercise
and a diet high in fats. He has recently been complaining of vision problems, chest pain, and
severe headaches. His doctor informs him in his latest visit that his blood pressure is too high for
his current age. What is most likely happening to the flow of blood in Steve's cardiovascular
system?
a. Blood flow is continuing like normal and is not affected by his high blood pressure.
b. Blood flow has stopped completely which is causing his severe headaches due to lack of blood
reaching the brain.
c. Blood flow has increased in order to make up for his lack of exercise.
d. Blood flow is decreased below normal due to the build of of plaque in the arteries causing an
increase in blood pressure.

6. The graph provided here shows the mean risk for cardiovascular disease as a person ages.
Factors that were taken into consideration when formulating this graph are age, gender,
smoking habits, and blood pressure. Which conclusion can be made from this graph about blood
flow?
 a. Female non-smokers will have a high risk of decreased blood flow between the ages of 40 and
45.
b. Male non-smokers will have more stable blood flow as they reach the age of 60.
c. Male smokers show the greatest risk for decreased blood flow.
d. Female smokers will have an increase in blood flow as they grow older.

Demo 2-Volume

1. Which funnel emptied first?

2. If you had a large increase in blood volume in your body, would the blood pressure increase or
decrease?
3. Hypovolemia is a condition in which the patient experiences a decrease in blood plasma (the
liquid component of blood). A person experiencing this condition may have severe dehydration
and loss of sodium. Since the blood volume is decreased, what is the most likely effect on blood
pressure?
4. The graph provided shows changes in blood over the course of gestation (pregnancy) from a
person who is not pregnant until they give birth. Based on the data provided here, which
conclusion can be drawn about blood pressure?
 a. Blood pressure remains the same in most women since the blood volume returns to normal
levels 6 weeks postpartum (after birth).
b. Blood pressure will increase throughout the course of the pregnancy in relation to an
increase in blood volume.
c. Blood pressure will decrease throughout the course of the pregnancy in relation to an
increase in blood volume.
d. Blood pressure will remain the same since the blood volume increases temporarily.

Exit Ticket

The image provided shows the arteries of 3 different people.

Using only the images provided, put the images in order from
highest blood pressure to lowest blood pressure.
A. Person B, Person C, Person A
B. Person C, Person A, Person B
C. Person A, Person B, Person C
D. Person C, Person B, Person A