Body Systems Flashcards
Alveoli
Small air sacks in the lungs where gaseous exchange takes place
Cartilage
A tough form of tissue which covers and protects the ends of bones, and acts as a buffer where two bones meet at a joint.
Diastolic pressure
The pressure of the blood flow in the arteries when the left ventricle relaxes
Duodenum
Part of the small intestine
Exhale
To breathe out
Expiration
The action of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles which forces air out of the body
Fibrous
Where fibres link together such as a fibrous joint
Forced breathing
The increase of the breathing rate during physical activity.
Haemoglobin
The substance in the red blood cells which transports oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Heartbeat
One contraction and one relaxation of the heart.
Ileum
Lower part of the small intestine.
Inhale
To breathe in.
Inspiration
Air taken in when the diaphragm flattens and moves downwards.
Intercostal muscles
Muscles surrounding the ribs which assist breathing.
Joint
A place where two or more bones meet.
Lactic acid system
The breakdown of carbohydrates to provide energy, usually functioning during activities lasting between one and three minutes.
Ligaments
Strong fibrous bands which stabilize joints and control movement
Neurons
The basic cells of the nervous system
Nucleus
Main cell body of the nervous system.
Oesphagus
canal from mouth to stomach, along which food passes.
Oxyhaemaglobin
Substance which oxygen turns into after gaseous exchange.
Physiology
Study of the function and processes of the human body.
Platelet
Small blood cells which help to clot the blood.
Pleura
Membrane surrounding the lungs, which acts as a lubricant.
Pulmonary artery
Blood vessel which carries de-oxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein
Blood vessel which carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.
Saliva
A digestive juice found in the mouth which helps to digest food.
Semi-permeable
A type of membrane which allows the passage of some substances but not others.
Skeletal pump
Muscle action which helps the veins to pump blood around the body.
Striated muscle
(or voluntary or striped muscle) skeletal muscles of the body.
Stroke
Sudden attack when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.
Stroke volume
The volume of blood pumped out of the heart by each ventricle during one contraction.
Synovial joint
A joint which has a large range of mobility.
Systolic pressure
The pressure of the blood in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts.
Tendon
Fibrous tissue which joins a muscle to bone.
Tidal volume
The amount of air breathed in and out during normal breathing.
Valve
A structure which permits the flow of blood in only one direction.
Vein
A thin blood vessel which transports blood.
Ventricles
The two bottom chambers of the heart.
Vertebral column
The groups of vertebrae which make up the spine.
VO2
The total amount of oxygen which the body needs and takes in at any time.
VO2 Max
The maximum amount of oxygen which the body can take in
