alleryStart learning →Why must the left ventricle generate much more pressure than the right?
AIt is the only chamber with valves
BIt pumps twice the volume of blood
CIt drives the high-resistance systemic circuit
DIt has to fill the lungs against gravity
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. It drives the high-resistance systemic circuit
1. Each ventricle serves a different circuit with a different resistance.
2. To pump blood into the long systemic circuit, the left ventricle must generate a great amount of pressure.
3. The right ventricle needs less, since the pulmonary circuit is shorter and offers less resistance.
4. Both ventricles move the same volume per beat, which rules out the volume answer.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 19 "The Cardiovascular System: The Heart", section 19.1 Heart Anatomy_
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