3.1 Compartmentalization Cells and Tissues Flashcards
What is the fundamental unit of life that separates the intracellular fluid from the external environment?
The cell, which has a cell membrane that separates the internal cell environment from extracellular environment
Why are compartments important in the body?
Allow the separation of biochemical processes that could be conflicted if occurring within its surrounding environment
What is an advantage of having compartments in the body?
Separation of processes, such as protein synthesis and degradation, occurs in different compartments.
What is a disadvantage of having compartments in the body?
Barriers can delay or prevent the movement of materials between compartments, requiring specialized transport mechanisms.
What are the major body cavities?
Cranial cavity, thoracic cavity, and abdominopelvic cavity
What does the cranial cavity contain?
The brain, the primary control center
What organs are located within the thoracic cavity?
The heart (within the pericardial sac) and lungs (within pleural sacs)
What does the abdominopelvic cavity contain?
Stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, spleen, reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and the terminal portion of the large intestine
What are fluid-filled compartments in the body? CENM
the circulatory system, eyes, central nervous system, and the membranous sacs around the lungs and heart.
What is the lumen in hollow organs?
The interior space of hollow organs, such as the heart, lungs, and intestines.
What is extracellular fluid (ECF) and its subdivisions?
Fluid outside the cells subdivided into plasma, fluid portion of blood, and interstitial fluid, surrounds most body cells.
What is intracellular fluid (ICF)?
fluid within the cells, separated from the extracellular fluid (ECF) by the cell membrane.
What is the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central nervous system?
surrounds the brain and spinal cord, acting as a protective cushion
How do the lungs and heart maintain their functions within the thoracic cavity?
They are each enclosed in membranous sacs, pleural and pericardial sacs, that contain small volumes of fluid.
