Factors Affecting Blood Pressure:
Changes in Vessel Size and Blood Composition
Originally found on the 'Net as a spoof
on Elvis and his health problems. Modified here, basically because
I'm not an Elvis fan!
Materials
- rubber or plastic tubing of various lengths
and diameters
- funnels
- straws
- water
- syrup
- beakers
- graduated cylinders
- spring clamps for tubing
- stopwatch or clock
- ring stand and clamps
Note: You may or may not need ALL of these
materials!
Problem 1
Design and conduct an experiment to
determine the relationship between the length of a blood vessel
and the resistance to blood flow through it.
- Describe the method you will use, through
words and/or diagrams.
- What were your results? Be sure to include
numbers or a graph to describe your results.
- What were your conclusions? How could your
findings help Elvis understand his blood pressure?
Problem 2
Design and conduct an experiment to
determine the relationship between the radius of a blood vessel
and the resistance to blood flow through it.
- Describe the method you will use, through
words and/or diagrams.
- What were your results? Be sure to include
numbers or a graph to describe your results.
- What were your conclusions? How could your
findings help Elvis understand his blood pressure?
Problem 3
Design and conduct an experiment to
determine the relationship between the viscosity ("thickness")
of blood on the resistance to blood flow through it.
- Describe the method you will use, through
words and/or diagrams.
- What were your results? Be sure to include
numbers or a graph to describe your results.
- What were your conclusions? How could your
findings help Elvis understand his blood pressure?