Role of intrinsic properties of heart muscle in cardiac self-regulation

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Read through the list of essay topics and choose one that you would like to write your essay
on. Take note of the topic number. Then follow the links “Assessment” –> “Essay” on
Blackboard to allocate one (1) topic for yourself by enrolling to the group that has the same
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choice by 22nd August 2014.
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source of information. Harvard style referencing is required. Your attention is drawn to the
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your work in addition to the electronic version. Late submissions will incur a penalty if
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reading, writing a draft essay etc.).

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them. Please choose another topic if your first preference is taken. This document will be
updated approximately once a week, so it is possible that some topics that are showing as
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1.   Role of intrinsic properties of heart muscle in cardiac self-regulation.
2.   Cardiac valves, their anatomy and function.
3.   The anatomy and physiology of the input and output vessels of the heart.
4.   Describe the anatomy and importance of the coronary circulation.
5.   Compare the spontaneous activity of the heart to that of smooth muscle. How do you
explain any differences?
6.   What is spontaneous cardiac activity, and how is it explained?
7.   What is the ECG? Describe its components, where they arise from, and what diagnostic
significance they may have.
8.   The cardiac cycle, and its relationship to the cardiac rhythm.
9.   What are the factors influencing stroke volume?
10.  What volumes and pressures are important in determining cardiac output?
11.  What are preload and afterload, and why are they important?
12.  What is venous return, how is it controlled and what is its significance in cardiovascular
regulation?
13.  Describe the normal pressure differences measured across cardiac valves – what are their
consequences?
14.  Compare heart muscle to smooth muscle and skeletal muscle.
15.  Describe the post-natal development of the heart.
16.  Describe the cardiac circulation and its dependence on high pressure.
17.  Describe the various heart sounds and their uses in diagnosis.
18.  Indicate the issues concerning blood pressure regulation and venous pressure.
19.  Development of the heart and the foetal circulation.
20.  Describe three foetal circulation abnormalities and how these might affect the newborn.
21.  Write an essay on the anatomy of the chest, with particular emphasis on the heart and the
associated organs and structures.
22.  Describe the aorta and its importance in blood pressure.
23.  What is an artificial heart, and how does it impact the life of its owner?
24.  Write an essay on the structure of the bl ood vessels and how these affect function.
25.  Describe blood and its properties.
26.  What is osmosis and why is it important in the regulation of capillary diffusion?
27.  What is haemorrhage and what would be its consequences?
28.  Write an essay on the regulation of blood volume.
29.  What happens at the capillary?
30.  What is emphysema?  What causes it and why is it so much of a problem for the patient?
31.  Why are surfactants critical to lung function? What do they do?
32.  Describe the anatomy of the lung and explain why the left and right parts are not
symmetrical.
33.  Why is partial pressure of a gas such an important parameter in respiratory physiology?
34.  What are bronchodilators and how do they work?
35.  Which gas laws are critical in explaining how oxygen and  carbon dioxide can transfer
across the pulmonary epithelium?
36.  Compare the effects of high altitude breathing with that of deep sea diving from a
respiratory perspective.
37.  What muscles are involved in breathing?  Describe how they are involved in respiratory
movements.
38.  Describe the techniques used in measuring lung volumes.
39.  Describe the techniques used in measuring gas exchange.
40.  Flow-volume loops are a useful clinical tool. What can we deduce from them and how do
the patterns change with disease?
41.  How can you perform indirect cardiac output determination using breathing?  Explain the
theory behind the technique.
42.  Describe the anatomy of the respiratory system.
43.  What is cardiopulmonary exercise testing and how is it done?
44.  What is meant by respiratory acidosis? How can it arise, and how can it be treated?
45.  What is meant by respiratory alkalosis? How can it arise, and how can it be treated?
46.  What is meant by metabolic acidosis? How can it arise, and how can it be treated?
47.  What is meant by metabolic alkalosis? How can it arise, and how can it be treated?
48.  How is the pH of the blood plasma regulated in a healthy individual, and why?
49.  What are the pressures in various parts of the respiratory system and why are they
important?
50.  How is respiration controlled?
51.  How would you carry out a cardiopulmonary exercise test and why?
52.  Why is carbon dioxide important to the respiratory system?
53.  What is a gas analyser and what characteristics would it need to be suitable in a
respiratory laboratory?
54.  What is a pneumotachograph used for?  What simple physical principles do the more
commonly available ones rely on?
55.  Why are the ribs shaped the way they are and why do they point downwards at rest?
How do they assist in respiration and when?
56.  What is the diaphragm, how is it innervated and does it work in breathing?
57.  Compare neonatal and adult respiration.
58.  Describe what would be needed to measure in a sleep laboratory to ensure all respiration
issues could be monitored.
59.  What is sleep apnoea and why is it a potential problem? Does it have any impact on the
cardiovascular system?
60.  What is the condition called ‘the bends’?  How does it occur and why was it called by
that name?  How is it treated?
61.  Lung and heart transplants: why are they carried out, what is involved for the patient, and
how successful are these procedures?