Cardiorespiratory Performance (Human Biology III)

Study the heart and lungs to learn about the cardiorespiratory system in the human body. Investigate the biological processes that drive breathing, gas exchange and blood flow in the human body.

Course Code: BSC301
Fee Code: S2
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 0 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
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Develop Your Cardiorespiratory Knowledge

This course is ideal for students with a biological science background, and is also an excellent addition to any higher level course in health and biology fields.

Learn all about the roles of blood and oxygen in the body

Study this course to:

  • Develop a better understanding of the heart, lungs and blood.
  • Manage your own wellbeing better or help others to manage theirs.
Students will cover a variety of related topics in order to learn how the cardiovascular and respiratory systems function cooperatively to keep the body alive.  Monitoring and regulatory mechanisms governing cardiorespiratory functions are investigated, along with the physical laws and biochemical processes that explain how and why the cardiorespiratory system works in the way it does.  From gas exchange, cellular energy production, cardiomyocyte contraction, alveolar structure and function, gas laws, blood physiology and cellular oxygen demand, students will develop a sound understanding of breathing and blood flow.
 
This is a course for anyone working in health, fitness or sport who needs to better understand cardiorespiratory science.

Lesson Structure

There are 7 lessons in this course:

  1. The Science of Blood
    • The Functions of Blood
    • Components of Blood
    • Blood Typing
    • Blood Cells
    • Haematopoiesis; Erythropoiesis, Leukopoiesis, Lymphopoiesis
    • Blood Cell function; Erythrocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils, Thrombocytes etc
    • The Immune Response
    • Haemostasis
    • Clotting Mechanism
    • Haemodynamics
    • Circulatory Networks
    • Blood Testing
    • Full Blood Count
    • Cross Matching
    • Blood Cultures
    • Arterial Blood Gas
    • Biochemical and Metabolic Tests
    • INR
    • Blood Disorders; Red & White Blood disorders, Blood Clotting, Poisoning
    • Lymphatic System
  2. Blood Pressure
    • Factors Affecting Blood Pressure; cardiac output, peripheral resistance, blood volume
    • How Blood Pressure is Measured
    • The Cardiac Cycle
    • Heart Muscle Cell Contraction
    • Electrical Control of the Heart Muscle Cells; Sinoatrial Node (SA Node), Atrioventricular n ode (AV Node), Bundle of His (Atrioventricular bundle), Purkinje Fibres
    • Blood Pressure Problems
    • Systolic hypertension, Diastolic hypertension and Hypertension
    • Distribution of Blood Flow
    • Regulating Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
    • Sensors
    • Problems with Heart Rate; variations, and other conditions including Myocardial infarction and Cardiac Tamponade
    • Electrocardiograms and their Interpretation
  3. Pulmonary Ventilation
    • The Respiratory System
    • Respiratory Epithelium
    • The Lungs
    • Lung Anatomy
    • Alveoli
    • Airway Anatomy
    • Nasal and oral cavities
    • Pharynx
    • Epiglottis
    • Larynx
    • Trachea
    • Bronchi and bronchioles
    • Physiology of Breathing; Equilibrium, Pressure, Inspiration, Expiration
    • Physiological Measures of Lung Capacity and Function; Total Lung Capacity, Tidal Volume, Vital Capacity, Forced Vital Capacity, IRV, ERV, Functional Residual Capacity, MV, VO2 Max, etc
    • Effect of Exercise on Pulmonary Ventilation
  4. Gas Exchange & Transport
    • Gas Exchange in the Human Body
    • External Respiration
    • Oxygen Transport
    • Internal Respiration
    • Haemoglobin
    • Carbon Dioxide Transport
    • Biochemistry of Gas Exchange; Boyle’s Law, Charles’ Law, Dalton’s Law, Henry’s Law, etc
    • Factors Affecting Gas Exchange; Partial pressure Gradients, Gas Solubility, Membrane thickness, etc
    • Compliance
    • Respiratory Control
  5. Blood Flow & Gas Transport
    • Blood Flow; Volume, Target
    • Gas Transport
    • Arterial-Alveolar Gradient
    • Oxygen Transport
    • Factors Effecting Oxygen Release by Haemoglobin
    • The Bohr-Haldane Effect
    • Cellular Respiration
    • Energy Production; anaerobic and aerobic
    • Blood Flow During Exercise and Rest
  6. Cardio Respiratory Control
    • Cardio Respiratory Control and the Nervous System
    • Input Sensors
    • The CV Centre
    • High Brain Centres
    • Baroreceptors and Chemoreceptors
    • The Respiratory Centre
    • Starling’s Law
    • Capillaries
    • The Control of Heart and Lungs During Exercise
  7. Cardio Respiratory Disease
    • Cardiac Diseases and Injuries
    • Chronic Heart Failure
    • Congestive Heart Failure
    • Myocardial Infarction and Ischemia
    • Cardiovascular Diseases
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Atherosclerosis
    • Aneurysm
    • Vasculitis
    • Venous thrombosis
    • Varicose veins
    • Causes of Cardiovascular Disease; lifestyle, diet, obesity, genetics, smoking, hypertension, etc
    • Respiratory Disease
    • Asthma
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
    • Emphysema
    • Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
    • Effects of Cardio Pulmonary Disease

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What You Will Do

  • Apply physical formulas to explain movement of gases in the body
  • Understand the cellular need for oxygen
  • Investigate removal of carbon dioxide from the body
  • Learn the importance of carbon dioxide in blood chemistry
  • Understand how cells produce energy aerobically and anaerobically, and how the body cardiorespiratory system deals with the waste products of these processes
  • Develop their understanding of homeostasis and equilibrium, diffusion and osmosis and the importance of each to gas exhange
  • Test concepts practically using common household items
  • Analyse data from basic experiments to develop their knowledge of lesson topics
  • Examine the role of fitness and exercise in cardiorespiratory health and function
  • Interpret electrocardiograms
  • Discover the impact of different conditions, illnesses and disease processes on cardiorespiratory performance

How is Heart Muscle Cell Activity Controlled?

The electrical control of the heart occurs via the sinoatrial node, the atrioventricular node, the bundle of His and purkinje fibres.

Sinoatrial Node (SA Node)

The sinoatrial node is found right at the top of the wall of the right atrium, near where the superior vena cava enters.  It is composed of modified cardiomyocytes that do not contract but transit electrical impulses much more rapidly than normal cardiomyocytes.  The cells of the sinoatrial node initiate the action potential that triggers cardiac muscle contraction.  It triggers action potentials without influence from the nervous system; however, the rate and strength of contractions are influenced by feedback from the nervous system and brain.  The sinoatrial node is essential the hearts natural pacemaker.  How often the cells of the sinoatrial node depolarise and trigger an action potential determines how often your heart will beat. 

The electrical impulses (action potentials) from the sinoatrial node trigger co-ordinated contraction of both atria by causing depolarisation of the cardiomyocytes in that area.  The impulse travels on to the atrioventricular node.

Atrioventricular Node (AV Node)

The atrioventricular node is found on the bottom wall of the right atrium, along the wall of cardiac tissue that divides the two atria.  It is also comprised of modified, non-contractile cardiomyocytes.  Its function is to hold up the electrical impulse from the sinoatrial node.  This provides a delay that allows the atria to fully contract before the cardiomyocytes of the ventricles are stimulated to contract.  This ensures that the ventricles are full of blood before they contract.  The electrical impulse then travels on to the bundle of His, also known as the atrioventricular bundle.  When the sinoatrial node is damaged, the atrioventricular node can take over as the primary pacemaker for the heart.

Bundle of His (Atrioventricular bundle)

The bundle of His is located immediately inferior to the AV node; in the wall (septum) that divides the ventricles.  It branches as it travels down the septum and functions to provide very rapid transmission of the electrical impulse from the AV node to the Purkinje fibres.  This function is due to the bundle also being composed of the modified non-contractile cardiomyocytes.

Purkinje Fibres

These are the terminal end of the electrical conduction system of the heart.  They run from the base of the septum up and around the outer walls of both ventricles.  Like the rest of the conduction system, they are made up of modified cardiomyocytes.  (The term fibre here refers to muscle fibres, or cells, not to nerve fibres).

It is the cells of the Purkinje fibres that deliver the electrical impulse that originated in the SA node to the ventricular cardiomyocytes, causing a co-ordinated contraction of both ventricles.

Who Should Study This Course?

This course is aimed at people who wish to expand their knowledge of human biology. It is suitable for many people including:

  • Biologists
  • Scientists
  • Researchers
  • Writers
  • Health & fitness professionals
  • Sport & leisure professionals
  • Health instructors
  • Health & wellness coaches
  • Sports coaches
  • Teachers

Study with us to develop your understanding of the cardiorespiratory system.

ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.
ACS Global Partner - Affiliated with colleges in seven countries around the world.

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Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Jade Sciascia

Biologist, Business Coordinator, Government Environmental Dept, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Recruitment Consultant, Senior Supervisor in Youth Welfare, Horse Riding Instructor (part-completed) and Boarding Kennel Manager.
Jade has a B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert IV TESOL, Cert Food Hygiene.

Lyn Quirk

M.Prof.Ed.; Adv.Dip.Compl.Med (Naturopathy); Adv.Dip.Sports Therapy
Over 30 years as Health Club Manager, Fitness Professional, Teacher, Coach and Business manager in health, fitness and leisure industries. As business owner and former department head for TAFE, she brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role as a tutor for ACS.

Karen Lee

Nutritional Scientist, Dietician, Teacher and Author.
BSc. Hons. (Biological Sciences), Postgraduate Diploma Nutrition and Dietetics.
Registered dietitian in the UK, with over 15 years working in the NHS. Karen has undertaken a number of research projects and has lectured to undergraduate university students. Has co authored two books on nutrition and several other books in health sciences.

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