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CSCS Exam Prep (Chapter Tables, Key Terms, & Questions) > Chapter 1 - Structure and Function of Body Systems > Flashcards

Chapter 1 - Structure and Function of Body Systems Flashcards

1
Q

A-band

A

Region of a sarcomere where thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments overlap; maintains constant length during muscle contraction​

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2
Q

Atrium

A

Heart chamber that receives blood and pumps it to the ventricles; right atrium handles deoxygenated blood, left atrium handles oxygenated blood​

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3
Q

Acetylcholine

A

Neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction to initiate muscle contraction​

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4
Q

Action Potential

A

Electrical impulse that travels along the nerve and muscle membranes, triggering muscle contraction​

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5
Q

All-or-none principle

A

Motor units contract maximally when stimulated, or not at all​

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6
Q

Alveolar Pressure

A

Air pressure within the alveoli; decreases during inhalation, increases during exhalation​

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7
Q

Alveoli

A

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between air and blood​

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8
Q

Aortic Valve

A

Valve between the left ventricle and the aorta; prevents backflow of blood into the heart​

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9
Q

Appendicular skeleton

A

Includes bones of the limbs and girdles (shoulder and pelvis) that attach them to the axial skeleton​

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10
Q

Arterial system

A

Network of arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to body tissues​

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11
Q

Artery

A

Blood vessel carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart, except for the pulmonary artery​

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12
Q

Atrioventricular (AV) Bundle

A

Specialized muscle fibers that conduct electrical impulses from the AV node to the ventricles​

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13
Q

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A

Electrical relay station between the atria and ventricles; delays the impulse to ensure proper ventricular filling​

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14
Q

Atrioventricular (AV) Valves

A

Valves that prevent backflow of blood into the atria during ventricular contraction; includes tricuspid and mitral valves​

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15
Q

Axial skeleton

A

Central part of the skeleton, consisting of the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage​

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16
Q

Biaxial joints

A

Joints that allow movement in two planes, such as the wrist (flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviation).

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17
Q

Bone periosteum

A

Dense connective tissue covering the outer surface of bones, providing attachment for tendons and ligaments and housing bone-forming cells.

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18
Q

Bradycardia

A

A resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute; common in well-trained athletes.

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19
Q

Bronchi

A

The primary passageways for air entering the lungs; branch off the trachea into each lung.

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20
Q

Bronchiole

A

Smaller airways in the lungs that branch off the bronchi and lead to alveoli.

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21
Q

Capillary

A

The smallest blood vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occurs between blood and tissues.

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22
Q

Cartilaginous Joints

A

Joints connected by cartilage, allowing limited movement, such as intervertebral discs.

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23
Q

Crossbridge

A

The connection formed between actin and myosin filaments during muscle contraction, allowing for force generation.

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24
Q

Depolarization

A

The process by which a cell membrane’s electrical charge becomes less negative, initiating an action potential in muscle or nerve cells.

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25
Q

Diastole

A

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.

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26
Q

Diffusion

A

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, such as oxygen moving from alveoli to blood.

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27
Q

Distal

A

Anatomical term indicating a position farther away from the trunk or point of origin (e.g., fingers are distal to the shoulder).

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28
Q

Electrocadiogram (ECG)

A

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart used to assess heart function.

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29
Q

Endomysium

A

Connective tissue surrounding each individual muscle fiber, providing structural support.

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30
Q

Epimysium

A

Outer layer of connective tissue surrounding an entire muscle, protecting and maintaining its structure.

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31
Q

Extrafusal fibers

A

Skeletal muscle fibers responsible for generating force; innervated by alpha motor neurons.

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32
Q

Fasciculi

A

Bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by perimysium.

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33
Q

Fast-twitch muscle fiber

A

Muscle fibers that contract quickly, generate high force, and fatigue rapidly (Type IIa and Type IIx fibers).

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34
Q

Fibrous Joints

A

Joints connected by dense connective tissue, allowing little to no movement (e.g., sutures in the skull).

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35
Q

Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO)

A

Proprioceptor located in tendons that detects tension and inhibits muscle contraction to prevent injury.

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36
Q

Hemoglobin

A

Protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen and transports it throughout the body.

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37
Q

Hyaline Cartilage

A

Smooth, glass-like cartilage that covers the ends of bones in synovial joints to reduce friction.

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38
Q

H-zone

A

The central region of the A band in a sarcomere where only thick filaments (myosin) are present; shortens during contraction.

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39
Q

I-band

A

The region of a sarcomere containing only thin filaments (actin); shortens during muscle contraction.

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40
Q

Inferior

A

Anatomical term indicating a position lower or below another part of the body (e.g., the stomach is inferior to the lungs).

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41
Q

Intrafusal fibers

A

Specialized muscle fibers within muscle spindles that detect changes in muscle length and help regulate muscle tone.

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42
Q

Left bundle branch

A

Part of the heart’s conduction system that transmits electrical impulses from the AV node to the left ventricle.

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43
Q

Mitral valve

A

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle; prevents backflow of blood into the atrium during ventricular contraction.

44
Q

Motor Neuron

A

Nerve cell that transmits impulses from the central nervous system to a muscle to initiate contraction.

45
Q

Motor unit

A

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates; the basic functional unit of muscle contraction.

46
Q

Multiaxial Joints

A

Joints that allow movement in multiple planes (e.g., ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder and hip).

47
Q

Muscle Fiber

A

A single muscle cell that contracts in response to stimulation from a motor neuron.

48
Q

Muscle Spindle

A

Proprioceptor located in muscle that detects changes in muscle length and initiates the stretch reflex.

49
Q

Myocardium

A

The muscular tissue of the heart responsible for pumping blood.

50
Q

Myofibril

A

Rod-like structures within a muscle fiber that contain sarcomeres and are responsible for contraction.

51
Q

Myofilament

A

The protein filaments (actin and myosin) within myofibrils that interact to produce muscle contraction.

52
Q

Myosin

A

Thick filament protein in muscle that forms crossbridges with actin during contraction.

53
Q

Neuromuscular junction

A

The synapse where a motor neuron meets a muscle fiber, allowing for transmission of the action potential.

54
Q

Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes relaxation, digestion, and recovery.

55
Q

Perimysium

A

Connective tissue sheath that surrounds fasciculi (bundles of muscle fibers).

56
Q

Pleura

A

Double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs, providing lubrication and protection during respiration.

57
Q

Pleural Pressure

A

Pressure in the pleural cavity; helps maintain lung expansion during breathing.

58
Q

Power stroke

A

The phase during muscle contraction when myosin pulls actin filaments, resulting in shortening of the sarcomere.

59
Q

Proprioceptor

A

Sensory receptor that detects changes in body position, movement, and muscle tension.

60
Q

Proximal

A

Anatomical term indicating a position closer to the trunk or point of origin (e.g., the shoulder is proximal to the hand).

61
Q

Pulmonary Valve

A

Valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery; prevents backflow of blood into the ventricle during diastole.

62
Q

Purkinje Fibers

A

Specialized cardiac fibers that transmit electrical impulses to the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction.

63
Q

P-wave

A

Part of an ECG representing atrial depolarization, which triggers atrial contraction.

64
Q

QRS Complex

A

Part of an ECG representing ventricular depolarization, which triggers ventricular contraction.

65
Q

Red blood cell (RBC)

A

Cells responsible for carrying oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide via hemoglobin.

66
Q

Repolarization

A

Return of the cell membrane’s electrical charge to its resting state after depolarization.

67
Q

Right bundle branch

A

Transmits electrical impulses from the AV node to the right ventricle, aiding in synchronized contraction.

68
Q

Sarcolemma

A

The cell membrane of a muscle fiber that conducts action potentials.

69
Q

Sarcomere

A

The basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber, made up of overlapping actin and myosin filaments.

70
Q

Sarcoplasm

A

Cytoplasm of a muscle fiber, containing organelles, glycogen, and myoglobin.

71
Q

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

A

Specialized endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that stores and releases calcium for muscle contraction.

72
Q

Semilunar Valves

A

Valves in the heart (pulmonary and aortic) that prevent backflow of blood into the ventricles.

73
Q

Sinoartial (SA) Node

A

The heart’s natural pacemaker, located in the right atrium, initiating each heartbeat.

74
Q

Sliding Filament Theory

A

A theory which explains muscle contraction as actin filaments sliding over myosin filaments, shortening the sarcomere.

75
Q

Slow-twitch muscle fiber

A

Muscle fibers that contract slowly, generate less force, and resist fatigue (Type I fibers).

76
Q

Superior

A

Anatomical term indicating a position above or higher than another part of the body (e.g., the head is superior to the chest).

77
Q

Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)

A

Part of the autonomic nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, and energy output during stress.

78
Q

Synovial fluid

A

Lubricating fluid in synovial joints, reducing friction and nourishing cartilage.

79
Q

Synovial joints

A

Highly movable joints with a synovial cavity, such as the knee, hip, and shoulder.

80
Q

Systole

A

Phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts to pump blood out of the chambers.

81
Q

Tachycardia

A

A resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute.

82
Q

Tendon

A

Dense connective tissue that connects muscle to bone, transmitting force to produce movement.

83
Q

Tetanus

A

Sustained muscle contraction resulting from rapid, repeated stimulation without relaxation.

84
Q

Trachea

A

The windpipe; a tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi, allowing air to flow to the lungs.

85
Q

Tricuspid valve

A

Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, preventing backflow of blood into the atrium during contraction.

86
Q

Tropomyosin

A

Protein that blocks myosin-binding sites on actin filaments, preventing contraction in a relaxed muscle.

87
Q

Troponin

A

Protein complex that regulates muscle contraction by binding calcium and moving tropomyosin to expose myosin-binding sites.

88
Q

T-tubule

A

Invaginations of the sarcolemma that conduct action potentials deep into muscle fibers.

89
Q

T-wave

A

Part of an ECG representing ventricular repolarization.

90
Q

Twitch

A

A single, brief contraction of a muscle fiber in response to a single action potential.

91
Q

Type I Fiber

A

Slow-twitch muscle fibers; high oxidative capacity, fatigue-resistant, suited for endurance activities.

92
Q

Type IIa Fiber

A

Fast-twitch muscle fibers; moderate oxidative and glycolytic capacity, suited for both power and endurance activities.

93
Q

Type IIx Fiber

A

Fast-twitch muscle fibers; high glycolytic capacity, fatigue quickly, generate high force, suited for explosive activities.

94
Q

Uniaxial joints

A

Joints that allow movement in one plane, such as the hinge joint in the elbow.

95
Q

Vein

A

Blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood toward the heart, except for the pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood.

96
Q

Veinous system

A

Network of veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart from various parts of the body.

97
Q

Ventricle

A

Lower chambers of the heart that pump blood; right ventricle pumps to the lungs, left ventricle pumps to the body.

98
Q

Venule

A

Small blood vessels that collect blood from capillaries and transport it to veins.

99
Q

Vertebral Column

A

Bony structure made up of vertebrae that protects the spinal cord and supports the body.

100
Q

Z-line

A

Boundary between adjacent sarcomeres in a myofibril; anchors thin filaments (actin) and shortens during contraction.

101
Q

Which of the following substances regulates muscle actions?

  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Troponin
  • Tropomyosin
A

Calcium

Calcium binds to troponin, causing tropomyosin to move and expose the myosin-binding sites on actin, allowing muscle contraction to occur.

102
Q

Which of the following substances acts at the neuromuscular junction to excite the muscle fibers of a motor unit?

  • Acetylcholine
  • ATP
  • Creatine Phosphate
  • Serotonin
A

Acetylcholine

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction that binds to receptors on the muscle fiber, triggering an action potential and initiating muscle contraction.

103
Q

From which of the following is the heart’s electrical impulse typically initiated?

  • AV node
  • SA node
  • the brain
  • the sympathetic nervous system
A

SA node

The sinoatrial (SA) node is the heart’s natural pacemaker, generating electrical impulses that set the rhythm for heartbeats.

104
Q

When throwing a baseball, an athlete’s arm is rapidly stretched just before throwing the ball. Which of the following structures detects and responds to that stretch by reflexively increasing muscle activity?

  • Golgi tendon organ (GTO)
  • Muscle spindle
  • Extrafusal muscle
  • Pacinian corpuscle
A

Muscle spindle

Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length and trigger a stretch reflex, which increases muscle activity to prevent overstretching.

105
Q

Which of the following occurs during the QRS complex of a typical ECG:
I. Depolarization of the atrium
II. Repolarization of the atrium
III. Repolarization of the ventricle
IV. Depolarization of the ventricle

  • I & III only
  • II & IV only
  • I, II, & III only
  • II, III, & IV only
A

II & IV only

The QRS complex represents repolarization of the atrium (II) and depolarization of the ventricle (IV). Atrial depolarization is represented by the P-wave, while ventricular repolarization occurs during the T-wave.

CSCS Exam Prep (Chapter Tables, Key Terms, & Questions) (10 decks)

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