What defines the systole phase in the cardiac cycle?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Contraction of the heart. Systole is the phase of the cardiac cycle during which the heart muscle contracts, pumping blood out of the chambers. It is essential for maintaining circulation and delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body's tissues. Diastole (choice C) is the relaxation phase of the heart when the chambers fill with blood. Pulse rate (choice D) is the number of heartbeats per minute, not specifically related to the systole phase. Choice A, 'Relaxation of the heart,' is incorrect because systole refers to the contraction phase of the cardiac cycle, not relaxation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Systemic circulation is longer as it involves carrying oxygenated blood throughout the body, requiring higher blood pressure. Pulmonary circulation is shorter and involves the flow of blood only through the lungs, hence having lower blood pressure. Therefore, systemic circulation is longer and has higher blood pressure compared to pulmonary circulation. Choice A is incorrect as systemic circulation is longer, not shorter, and has higher blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect as pulmonary circulation has lower blood pressure, not higher. Choice D is incorrect as systemic circulation is longer, not shorter, despite having higher blood pressure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Continuous, fenestrated, sinusoidal. Capillaries are classified into three types based on their permeability: continuous (least permeable), fenestrated (moderately permeable), and sinusoidal (most permeable). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not represent the three main types of capillaries. Choice B includes 'discontinuous' which is not a recognized type. Choice C includes 'alveolar' which is not a type of capillary, and Choice D includes 'vascular' which is too broad and not specific to capillary classification.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Sinusoidal capillaries are indeed the most permeable type. They are characterized by large gaps between endothelial cells, allowing for the passage of large molecules and cells. These capillaries are commonly found in organs like the liver, bone marrow, and spleen where high permeability is required for specialized functions such as filtration and exchange of substances. Continuous capillaries have tight junctions and are the least permeable, found in muscles, lungs, and the central nervous system where strict control over permeability is needed. Fenestrated capillaries, on the other hand, have small pores or fenestrations and are intermediate in permeability, found in organs like the kidneys, endocrine glands, and intestines where selective permeability is necessary. Vascular capillaries is not a specific type of capillary and is not a valid choice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Veins are the correct answer as they are the blood vessels that carry blood from the capillaries back to the heart. Veins have thinner walls compared to arteries and contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backward. This transport of blood from the capillaries to the heart is essential for the circulatory system to maintain proper blood flow and oxygenation levels. Arterioles are small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries, not vessels that transport blood back to the heart. Venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and lead to veins. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of gases and nutrients occurs between blood and tissues, not vessels that transport blood back to the heart.