Final answer:
TPR stands for Total Peripheral Resistance and it represents the overall resistance to blood flow through systemic blood vessels. It is influenced by factors like vessel length, blood viscosity, and diameter. Plaques causing the narrowing of arteries and turbulent flow can significantly increase TPR and affect blood flow.
Step-by-step explanation:
TPR, or the frictional impedance to blood flow, is an abbreviation for Total Peripheral Resistance. Total Peripheral Resistance is a measure that reflects the combined resistance of all the blood vessels within the systemic circulation. The resistance R to blood flow includes various factors such as vessel length, viscosity of the blood, and vessel diameter. According to principles such as Poiseuille's law, R is higher for long vessels and vessels with higher blood viscosity. Also, when vessel diameter is reduced, as in the case of plaques in arteries or turbulent flow caused by constrictions, R increases, leading to decreased blood flow and pressure.
For the laminar flow of blood, which is non-turbulent, R can be calculated using factors like fluid viscosity, tube radius, and length. However, in cases of turbulent flow, indicated by a high Reynolds number, there is a significant increase in resistance. It is important to understand how resistance works in the cardiovascular system as it plays a vital role in maintaining proper blood pressure and flow, which are crucial for organismal health.