The flow rates of blood though the circulatory system is constrained by physics.

Question

The flow rates of blood though the circulatory system is constrained by physics.  Which of these statements are true- more one than one may be true.

a) Increases in vessel radius have a small positive effect on flow rates

Decreases in blood viscosity will tend to increase flow rates

c) Decreases in the pressure across the vessel tend to result in decreased flow

d) As vessel length increases flow rates tend to decrease if pressure remains unchanged

a) Increases in vessel radius have a small positive effect on flow rates

Decreases in blood viscosity will tend to increase flow rates

c) Decreases in the pressure across the vessel tend to result in decreased flow

d) As vessel length increases flow rates tend to decrease if pressure remains unchanged

Explanation / Answer

Ans.

The choice is: (b), (c), (d)., they are TRUE.

Poiseuille's law states that rate of flow of blood through a blood vessel is directly proportional to the blood pressure difference at two ends of vessels and radius of the vessels raised to power 4 (r^4) and it is inversely proportional to the viscosity of the blood and length of the vessel.

Hence based upon Poiseuille's law, decrease in blood viscosity tends to increase flow rate, increase in length of vessel tend to decrease flow rate and decrease in pressure across the vessel tend to decrease the flow rate.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.