ABSTRACT
In a global sense one can think of the human cardiovascular system-using an electrical analogy-as a voltage source, two capacitors, and a resistor. In addition to prioritizing and controlling the distribution of blood, physiologic regulation of cardiovascular function is directed mainly at four other variables: cardiac output, blood pressure, blood volume, and blood composition. The control of blood pressure is accomplished mainly by adjusting at the arteriolar level the downstream resistance to flow-an increased resistance leading to a rise in arterial backpressure, and vice versa. The control of blood volume is accomplished mainly through the excretory function of the kidney. The primary functions of albumin are to help maintain the osmotic transmural pressure differential that ensures proper mass exchange between blood and interstitial fluid at the capillary level and to serve as a transport carrier molecule for several hormones and other small biochemical constituents.
