Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is caused by ventricular contraction?
A
The opening of the semilunar valves
B
The systolic blood pressure
C
The closing of the atrioventricular valves
D
The diastolic blood pressure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the anatomy of the heart: The heart has four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) and valves that regulate blood flow. The semilunar valves (pulmonary and aortic valves) and atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral valves) play key roles in this process.
Learn the phases of the cardiac cycle: Ventricular contraction occurs during systole, which is the phase where the ventricles contract to pump blood out of the heart. This is distinct from diastole, where the ventricles relax and fill with blood.
Analyze the role of ventricular contraction: During systole, the pressure in the ventricles increases, causing the atrioventricular valves to close to prevent backflow into the atria. This is the 'lub' sound in the heartbeat.
Understand the opening of semilunar valves: As ventricular pressure continues to rise during contraction, it exceeds the pressure in the arteries (aorta and pulmonary artery), causing the semilunar valves to open and blood to be ejected into these arteries.
Relate ventricular contraction to blood pressure: Systolic blood pressure is the measurement of the pressure in the arteries during ventricular contraction. Diastolic blood pressure, on the other hand, measures the pressure during ventricular relaxation.