High School Biology : Understanding the Heart

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Understanding The Heart

The heart is supplied of venous blood by the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava. These veins are known to carry deoxygenated blood to the heart and the aorta carries oxygenated blood away from the heart. What are the 2 exceptions to the rule of thumb: veins carry deoxygenated blood and arteries carry oxygenated blood. 

Possible Answers:

Pulmonary veins and umbilical vein

Pulmonary veins and femoral vein 

Pulmonary veins and splenic vein

Splenic vein and gastric vein 

Correct answer:

Pulmonary veins and umbilical vein

Explanation:

Pulmonary arteries leaves the right ventricle and go to the lungs to get oxygenated. This oxygen-rich blood is returned to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. Umbilical veins take oxygen-rich blood away from the placenta and supply the fetus. The umbilical arteries return the oxygen-poor blood back to the mother, for it to be oxygenated. 

Example Question #12 : Understanding The Heart

Which chamber of the mammalian heart is the strongest?

Possible Answers:

All heart chambers are of equal strength

Right atrium

Left atrium

Right ventricle

Left ventricle

Correct answer:

Left ventricle

Explanation:

The left ventricle is the chamber responsible for pumping newly reoxygenated blood into the systemic circuit, which makes up the vast majority of the body. Accordingly, it is more muscular and stronger in order to compensate for having to force blood through the largest area. 

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