Final answer:
Arterial blood pressure is influenced by vasoconstriction, cardiac rate, and cardiac output. All the listed factors contribute to regulating blood pressure as they impact heart function and blood flow dynamics in the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arterial blood pressure is influenced by several factors including vasoconstriction, cardiac rate, and cardiac output. In fact, all the options listed (A. vasoconstriction, B. cardiac rate, C. cardiac output) apply to the question of what influences arterial blood pressure.
When considering how these factors interact, vasoconstriction increases vascular resistance, which can increase blood pressure. The cardiac rate, or heart rate, affects how many times the heart contracts in a minute, influencing cardiac output, which is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. A higher cardiac rate usually means more blood is circulated, leading to higher blood pressure, provided the stroke volume remains constant.
In essence, cardiac output is a core factor here as well, uniting the effects of heart rate and stroke volume on blood pressure. These physiological parameters work together to ensure the body maintains an adequate blood pressure to perfuse tissues with oxygen and nutrients.