Final answer:
Different regions of the cardiovascular system serve as reservoirs for pressure, resistance, and volume. The left ventricle increases arterial blood pressure, while the right ventricle pumps blood through the lungs. Veins are considered blood reservoirs due to their high capacitance. Blood flow is regulated by factors such as compliance, volume and viscosity of blood, and resistance in blood vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cardiovascular system consists of different regions that serve as reservoirs for pressure, resistance, and volume. The left ventricle of the heart increases arterial blood pressure, which drives the flow of blood through all parts of the body except the lungs. The right ventricle receives lower pressure blood and pumps it through the lungs for gas exchange.
Veins are also considered blood reservoirs. Systemic veins have a high capacity to distend and store a high volume of blood, even at low pressure. Their large lumens and thin walls make them more distensible than arteries, hence they are called capacitance vessels.
Several factors contribute to blood flow in the cardiovascular system, including the compliance of blood vessels, the volume and viscosity of blood, and the length and diameter of blood vessels. Resistance to blood flow is another important factor, determined by the size and condition of blood vessels. Blood flows from regions of higher pressure to lower pressure, allowing for flow regulation and gas exchange.