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Blood pressure gradients across species

Q.

A scientist is studying blood flow in the aorta of three different animal species; a zebra, a camel, and an elk. She found that the composition of the blood was identical in each animal as well as the diameter of their aortas, but the rate of blood flow through the aorta was different. The scientist measured the following pressures at the beginning (i.e., ascending aorta) and near the end (i.e., abdominal aorta) of the aorta.

Which animal has the greatest flow rate (L/min) of blood through the aorta?

a) Zebra
b) Camel
c) Elk

Explain why the animal you selected has the greatest flow rate (L/min) of blood through the aorta.
ANITUBESCX

Audiences:

Undergraduate

Topics:

Cardiovascular,  Flux,  Physiology,  Bulk Flow,  Biology

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Background Information

Associated Publications

Oaks to arteries: The Physiology Core Concept of flow down gradients supports transfer of student reasoning

Jennifer Doherty, Jack Cerchiara, Emily Scoot, Lauren Jescovitch, Jenny McFarland, Kevin Haudek, Mary Pat Wenderoth, 2023

What a Difference in Pressure Makes! A Framework Describing Undergraduate Students’ Reasoning about Bulk Flow Down Pressure Gradients

Jennifer Doherty, Emily Scott, Jack Cerchiara, Lauren Jescovitch, Jenny McFarland, Kevin Haudek, Mary Wenderoth, 2023

Question Instructions

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"For the following question, please respond to the best of your knowledge and using only the information in the question and what you know. Please do not refer to any outside sources (textbooks, notes, internet, etc.). Any reasonable attempt to answer the question will be awarded full credit."

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