Cardiac output is defined as the amount of blood

Options

A. Pumped by the left atrium per hour
B. Received by the heart in one minute
C. Pumped by each ventricle per minute
D. Pumped by both ventricles per second

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Cardiac Output**: Cardiac output is a key physiological parameter that indicates the efficiency of the heart. It is defined as the volume of blood that the heart pumps per unit time.

2. **Identifying the Components**: Cardiac output is typically measured in liters per minute (L/min) and is calculated as the product of heart rate (beats per minute) and stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat).

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A**: "Pumped by the left atrium per hour" - This is incorrect because cardiac output refers to the ventricles, not the atria, and is measured per minute, not per hour.
- **Option B**: "Received by the heart in one minute" - This is also incorrect. Cardiac output is about the blood pumped out of the heart, not the amount received.
- **Option C**: "Pumped by each ventricle per minute" - This option is partially correct but misleading. Cardiac output is actually the total volume pumped by both ventricles per minute.
- **Option D**: "Pumped by both ventricles per second" - This is incorrect because cardiac output is measured in minutes, not seconds.

4. **Conclusion**: The correct interpretation of cardiac output is that it is the volume of blood pumped by both ventricles of the heart per minute.

**Final Answer**: The correct definition of cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by both ventricles per minute.

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