Heart Recoil IA. Aim To compare the recoil and subsequent elastic limit of a mammalian aorta and vena cava.

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Claudia Cheng

IA 12: Unit 6- Investigating the Properties of Blood Vessels

Aim

To compare the recoil and subsequent elastic limit of a mammalian aorta and vena cava.

Introduction

Pumped by the muscular action of the heart, the blood is propelled around the body in tubular blood vessels. Blood flows through arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins. In this investigation we shall relate some of the physical properties of arteries and veins to their functions.

Data Collection and Processing

Raw data table to show the elastic recoil of vena cava

Raw data table to show the elastic recoil of aorta

Calculations

Observations

From observations, the walls of the aorta are clearly thicker and feel tougher than the vena cava. The aorta is also light in colour (light flesh pink) whilst the vena cava is a darker plum red.  

Analysis

The first two tables of results above shows the elastic recoil of the vena cava and the aorta. It demonstrates as the length of the vena cava/aorta when the mass is put on and when the mass is removed to see if it has stretched. The mass increases down the table from no mass (0) to 800g. The table below it is evidence of my calculations for the elastic recoil.

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For processing the data, I drew 2 graphs. Graph one represents the elastic recoil percentage of the aorta and the vena cava as the mass increases. Graph two shows the elasticity of the aorta and the vena cava. This is measured from the length of the artery/vein when a mass of 800g is put on. No averages and standard deviation is calculated as I only did one trial because I was unable to do another repeat as this means I will have to dissect another heart to obtain an aorta and vena cava again.

Conclusion

The ...

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