Body Systems - Vocab

Question 1

Digestion

Answer 1

The breaking down of food into smaller nutrient chemicals for absorption

Question 2

Mechanical digestion

Answer 2

Digestion by physical means
e.g. crushing, grinding

Question 3

Mechanical digestion

Answer 3

Digestion by chemical means
e.g. by enzymes

Question 4

Peristalsis

Answer 4

The coordinated contraction and relaxation of circular muscles in the wall of the digestive tract that pushes food forward

Question 5

Pharynx

Answer 5

The space at the back of the nose and mouth

Question 6

Oesophagus

Answer 6

Muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach

Question 7

Stomach

Answer 7

Muscular ‘bag’ connecting oesophagus and small intestine that stores and digests food that has been swallowed

Question 8

Small intestine

Answer 8

Long, narrow, folded tube joining stomach to large intestine that is the main site of absorption of nutrients from food

Question 9

Pancreas

Answer 9

Organ of the digestive system which produces a variety of digestive enzymes that it releases down a tube into the small intestine

Question 10

Liver

Answer 10

Organ of the digestive system which produces bile that is released down a tube into the small intestine

Question 11

Large intestine

Answer 11

Wide tube from the small intestine to the anus that is the site of water absorption from food

Question 12

Rectum

Answer 12

Straight tube that is the last section of the large intestine which stores feces

Question 13

Anus

Answer 13

Opening at the bottom of the rectum through which feces leave the body

Question 14

Epiglottis

Answer 14

Flap of tissue that covers the top of the trachea during swallowing

Question 15

Larynx

Answer 15

Voice box at the top of the trachea

Question 16

Trachea

Answer 16

Large tube that carries air from the pharynx to the bronchi; main airway in the respiratory system

Question 17

Bronchus (plural bronchi)

Answer 17

Tube that carries air from the trachea to a lung

Question 18

Bronchiole

Answer 18

Smaller tube that branches from a bronchus and carries air to alveoli

Question 19

Alveolus (plural alveoli)

Answer 19

Tiny air sac in the lung where gas exchange occurs between air and blood

Question 20

Diffusion

Answer 20

The movement of a substance from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration

Question 21

Diaphragm

Answer 21

Sheet of muscle below lungs

Question 22

Intercostal muscles

Answer 22

The muscles located between the ribs

Question 23

Heart

Answer 23

Muscular organ which pumps blood through blood vessels

Question 24

Atrium (plural atria)

Answer 24

Upper chamber of heart which receives blood from veins

Question 25

Ventricle

Answer 25

Lower chamber of heart which pumps blood out into arteries

Question 26

Artery

Answer 26

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Question 27

Capillary

Answer 27

Thinnest blood vessel where nutrients and wastes can be exchanged between blood and cells; forms a network that connects artery to vein

Question 28

Vein

Answer 28

Blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart

Question 29

Valve

Answer 29

Flap of tissue in the heart or veins which prevents the back flow of blood

Question 30

Plasma

Answer 30

The liquid part of blood

Question 31

Platelet

Answer 31

Fragment of a cell that clumps together to form a blood clot

Question 32

Excretion

Answer 32

The process of ejecting wastes from cells out of the body

Question 33

Kidney

Answer 33

Organ which filters waste chemicals from blood and puts these into urine

Question 34

Ureter

Answer 34

Tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder

Question 35

Bladder

Answer 35

Muscular bag where urine is stored

Question 36

Urethra

Answer 36

Tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

Question 37

Joint

Answer 37

An area where two (or more) bones connect with each other

Question 38

Ligament

Answer 38

Fibrous band of tough tissue that holds bones together

Question 39

Cartilage

Answer 39

Smooth, rubber-like tissue that can act as padding at the end of bones

Question 40

Synovial fluid

Answer 40

Lubricating liquid between bones in a joint

Question 41

Muscle

Answer 41

Organ that can contract and pull bones

Question 42

Tendon

Answer 42

Tough band of tissue that attaches muscle to bone

Question 43

Antagonistic pair

Answer 43

Pair of muscles that work in opposition to each other