Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test 2025 - Free Anatomy Practice Questions and Study Guide

The function of stroke volume is best described as the volume of blood pumped during one contraction of the heart. This metric is crucial because it reflects the efficiency of the heart's pumping ability during each heartbeat. Stroke volume is a key determinant of cardiac output, which is the amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, calculated by multiplying stroke volume by heart rate. Understanding stroke volume helps in assessing cardiovascular health and the overall function of the heart, particularly in conditions such as heart failure or during physical exercise.

The other options do not accurately represent stroke volume. The amount of blood in the heart at rest refers to the end-diastolic volume, not the stroke volume. Total blood volume in circulation pertains to the overall blood volume within the vascular system, while the rate of heartbeats per minute pertains to heart rate, which is unrelated to the volume of blood ejected in a single heartbeat.