Body's Major Systems Flashcards
function of muscles
produce force, maintain posture, allow for movement and produce heart
** the tissues in muscles contract **
tendons
connect muscles to bones
when muscles contract they pull tendons
origin
point in which muscle joins stationary bone
insertion
point in which muscle joins moving bone
what happens to the origin and insertion point during muscle contraction
the insertion point moves towards the origin
skeletal muscles
allow body to perform “work,” working closely with the cardiorespiratory system as a direct “support system”
five major functions of the skeletal system
protects vital organs
supports body’s framework, upright verticle shape
produce red and white blood cells within the bone marrow
stores minerals and fats
regulates mineral balance, releases minerals into blood as needed
tubercles
act as sites for muscle insertion
*grooves and crests act as specific points of attachment
joint
two or more msucles join together for movement and mechanical support, the “intersection of bones”
held together by stretchy bands called ligaments
cartilage
flexible connective tissue that has a smooth, shiny surface
synovial fluid
keeps the bones apart with this thin film of slippery fluid
keeps bones from scratching and bumping against each other during movement
how much blood is in the human body
4-5 liters
blood contains…
hormones, oxygen and nutrients
hormones
regulatory substances transported in tissue fluids for stimulating specific cells that control the specific body process
heart acts as a…
double pump, pumping blood to both the lungs and to the rest of the body
capillaries
form a network of blood vessels betweent he arterioles and the venules
in the capillaries, food and oxygen are released to the body cells, and carbon dioxide and other waste products are returned to the bloodstream
also wrap around the alveoli
capillaries thin walls info
walls are so thin and close to each other that air easily seeps through
oxygen in the lungs seeps through the thin capillary walls and into the bloodstream , while CO2 is then removed from the body when we breathe out
what muscle controls the breathing process
diaphragm
as diaphragm contracts –> flattens –> causes chest to expand, allowing air to be sucked into the lungs
diaphragm relaxes –> expands –> chest collapses and air in the lungs is forced out
Nerves
transmit information as electrical impulses from one area of the body to another
some nerves carry information to the brain, allowing us to hear, see, semll, taste and touch
other nerves carry info from the brain to the muscles, controlling body movments
nervous system is divided into…
CNS (brain and spinal cord)
PNS (ANS and SNS)
CNS
processing hub that sends and receives information to and from the entire body
PNS
like a messenger between the brain and the rest of the body
ANS
operates involuntary motor nerve processes
main part of the digestive system
digestive tract: a long tube that runs through the middle of the body… beginning at the mouth
mouth
chewing mixes the food with watery saliva from 6 salivary glands around the mouth and face
esophagus
muscular tube
moves food by waves of muscle contractions called peristalisis
stomach
secretes strong protein digesting juices and acids that attack the food in a chemical way, breaking down and disolving its nutrients
can take between 30 mins to a few hours to digest a meal then proceeds to the small intestine
pancreas
in the digestive system acts like the stomach, makes powerful digestive juices (enzymes) that further break down food as it enters the small intestine
gall bladder
stores fluid called bile (bile is made in the liver)
bile acts to further digest fatty foods
small intestine
more enzymes continue to attack the food, this is where most of the absorption of nutrients occurs
eventually, nutrients are small enough to pass through the lining of the small intestine and into the blood (then are also carried away to the liver and other body parts to be processed, stored and distributed)
liver
blood from the intestines flows to the liver, carrying nutrients, vitamins/minerals and other products from digestion
stores nutrients, can change them from one form to another, releasing them into the blood depending on the body’s needs
large intestine
useful substances such as spare water and body minerals are absorbed through the walls of the large intestine and back into the blood
remains are formed into semi-solid waste product, feces… to be removed from the body
rectum
stores feces
other defense mechanisms aside from the immune system
the skin
the linings of the respiratory and digestive passageways
the blood-clotting process
the white cells and other substances in the blood
the thymus gland in the chest and the small lymph nodes or glands that are located throughout the body
the body’s immune system includes:
contains several kinds of white cells found in the blood, body fluids and lymph nodes
white cells can be found in the following areas:
lymph nodes
thymus gland
spleen
tonsills and adenoids
lymph nodes
distributed widely throughout the body, acts as filters - or germ traps
contain billions of WBCs… during infection or illness lymph nodes fill up with millions of extra white cells and “dead” pathogens
** noticable swelling may be indicative of an infection **
thymus gland
produces and educates T-cells (T-lumphocyte cells)
orchestrated in the thymus for the purpose of attacking foreign substances and responding to infected cells
during aging process, they will slowly shrink and evnetually degenerate into tiny islands of fatty tissue
spleen
makes and stores various kinds of WBC + RBCs
** spleen is a blood filter that functions in the immune system to decrease susceptibility and fight off infection **
tonsils and adenoids
helps to destory foreign substances that are breathed in or swallowed
tonsils –> upper rear part of the throat
adenoids –> at the rear of the nasal cavity in the nose (where the nose and throat meet)
endocrine system
made up of glands that mainly use hormones as information channels
glands
release chemical messengers called hromones into the bloodstream
hormones
transport signals from one cell to another, for the purpose of generating a specific response, regulating the varied functions of an organism
what functions do hormones regulate
mood
sleep
growth and development
metabolism
significant role of endocrine glands
regulate and stabilize the body’s internal properties
MAINTAINS A STABLE PHYSIOLOGICAL EQUILIBRIUM
** remember these glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream **
pituitary gland
master gland
secretes hormones that affect and control functions like skeletal growth, development of sex glands (ovaries and testes), bp, pain relief and the stimulating functions of other endocrine glands
thyroid gland
controls how quickly the body uses energy and regulates metabolism
adrenal gland
synthesizes and releases hormones in response to stress, such as adrenalin and noradrenalin
pineal gland
produces the hormone melatonin which stimulates and affects our sleep and daily rhythmic patterns
pancreas
plays role in digestive and endocrine system
secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon for blood sugar regulation
EXOcrine glands
such as salivary gland, sweat glands and glands within the gi tract
excrete their product to an external environment by way of ducts
overview of skeletal system
provides body’s structural support and protection
overview of circulatory system
pumps blood to and from the body, sustained by the heart and lungs (composed of the cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory systems)
overview of respiratory system
the organ system for breathing, it takes in, transports and removes gases to and from the blood for continued cellular function
overview of nervous system
communicates all autonomic and voluntary messages to all body parts with the brain, spinal cord and nerves
overview of digestive system
takes in, breaks down, transports, potentially transforms, and eliminates all food substances so that they can provide energy or substances for growth, maintenance or repair
overview of immune system
protects the body from attacks by unwanted foreign invaders. Although it is one of the smallest systems in the body it is one of the most spread out and important systems
overview of endocrine system
the system of glands that communicate and maintain
homeostasis using specific hormone secretions into the bloodstream
integumentary system
protects the body, consists of fat, skin, hair and nails
reproductive system
system of sex organs that work together for reproduction
urinary system
also known as the renal system, supports elimination of waste, regulation of blood volume/pressure/pH and control levels of electrolytes and metabolites
