Chapter 4: Supporting Systems Flashcards
Circulatory System
A closed system circulating blood through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Closed System
A physical system that does not allow for the movement of matter into or out of the system.
Arteries
Blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the tissues.
Veins
Blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart to remove waste and pick up more oxygen.
Capillaries
Fine-branching blood vessels forming a network between the arterioles and venules, where transport of nutrients and oxygen or carbon dioxide occurs on a microscopic scale.
Arterioles
The smaller branches of the arteries leading to the capillaries.
Venules
The small branches of the veins gathering blood from the capillaries.
Atrium
One of the two upper cavities of the heart passing blood to the ventricles. The plural is “atria.”
Ventricle
One of the two lower cavities of the heart passing blood to the body or to the lungs.
Pulmonary Arteries
Blood vessels moving blood from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary Veins
Blood vessels returning oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs.
Aorta
The main artery in the body that supplies oxygenated blood to the circulatory system.
Pulmonary Circulation
The blood flow between the heart and the lungs.
Systemic Circulation
The blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body.
Superior Vena Cava
The blood vessel moving blood from the upper body and head to the heart.
Inferior Vena Cava
The blood vessel moving blood from the lower body to the heart.
Metabolism
All of the chemical processes that occur in the body to support life including converting food into energy.
Atrioventricular Valves
Valves between the atria and ventricles preventing the backward flow of blood during cardiac contractions.
Cardiac Cycle
The action of the heart from the start of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next.
Systole
The heartbeat phase where muscle contraction moves blood from the heart chambers to the arteries.
Diastole
The heartbeat phase where the cardiac muscle relaxes and the heart chambers fill with blood.
Sinoatrial Node
The pacemaker of the heart that generates the first electrical signal of a heartbeat and stimulates the atria to contract.
Atrioventricular Node
The nerve node between the right atrium and right ventricle that propagates the electrical signal from the SA note to more distal heart nerves that cause ventricular contraction.
Stroke Volume
The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction.
Heart Rate
The number of heartbeats per minute.
Pulse
A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them.
Blood Pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries during the two phases of the cardiac cycle.
Systolic
The pressure in blood vessels when the heart beats (ventricular contraction).
Diastolic
The pressure in blood vessels when the heart rests (ventricular filling).
Hypotension
Low blood pressure measuring 90/60 mm Hg or lower.
Hypertension
High blood pressure measuring more than 140/90 mm Hg.
Cardiac Output
The amount of blood pumped through the heart per minute.
Blood Volume
The total volume of blood within the circulatory system of an individual.
Peripheral Resistance
The vascular resistance of the arteries to blood flow.
Blood Viscosity
The thickness and “stickiness” of blood and how it affects its flow through the blood vessels.
Basophil
a large white blood cell that locates and destroys cancerous cells and is responsible for the histamine response during an allergic reaction.
Neutrophil
the most numerous white blood cells (40–70 percent in humans) responsible for the primary immune response of the ingestion or enzymatic digestion of foreign microorganisms.
Eosinophil
white blood cells that play a role in allergic reactions and immune defense against multicellular parasites.
Monocyte
an immune cell that helps remove dead or damaged tissues and provides support to the other types of white blood cells.
Lymphocyte
white blood cells that include natural killer cells, B cells, and T cells, which kill tumor cells, produce antibodies, and kill infected or cancerous cells, respectively.
Antibodies
Blood proteins that combine with other substances in the body to recognize foreign bodies as part of the immune response.
Lymph
The colorless fluid of the lymphatic system.
Interstitial Fluid
The fluid found between cells.
Pharynx
The pharynx is commonly called the throat and is a passageway for both air and food.
Larynx
This passageway is between the pharynx and trachea.
Trachea
This is the main passageway of air into the lungs.
Bronchi
This is the passageway of air into the functional tissues of the lungs.
Lungs
The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two lobes. The lungs are separated by a membrane partition called the mediastinum, which is where the heart sits.
Respiration
The intake of oxygen and subsequent release of carbon dioxide in an organism.
Pulmonary Ventilation
The process of exchange of air between the lungs and the ambient air.
Inspiration
Breathing air into the lungs.
Expiration
Breathing air out of the lungs.
Diaphragm
The dome-shaped muscle that separates the lungs and pleural cavity from the abdomen.
Diffusion
The passive movement of molecules or particles along a concentration gradient or from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration.
Thoracic Cavity
The chest cavity enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and spinal column.
Intra-alveolar Pressure
The pressure within the alveoli that changes throughout respiration.
External Respiration
The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood.
Internal Respiration
The process of diffusing oxygen from the blood into the interstitial fluid and into the cells.
Hormones
Chemical messengers stored, created, and released by endocrine glands.
Endocrine Glands
Ductless glands releasing hormones that remain within the body.
Exocrine Glands
Glands that produce and release substances through ducts or openings on the body’s surface.
Amino Acids
Simple organic compounds known as the building blocks of proteins.
Steroids
A class of chemicals characterized by their carbon structure, working to reduce inflammation and the activity of the immune system.
Hypothalamus Endocrine Function
The main role of this gland is to maintain homeostasis.
Electrolyte
Minerals in the body that have an electric charge.
Pineal gland Endocrine Function
The only hormone this gland is known to secrete is melatonin.
Pituitary Gland Endocrine Function
Pituitary hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, including the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.
Thyroid Endocrine Function
The main function of the thyroid is to regulate metabolism.
Parathyroid Endocrine Function
There are four parathyroid glands that help regulate calcium levels in the body.
Thymus Endocrine Function
Before puberty, it stimulates the development of T lymphocytes, which play a role in the lymphatic system’s defense against illness and infection.
Adrenal Endocrine Function
The adrenal glands are attached to the kidneys and are made up of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are essential to life. Those secreted by the adrenal medulla are not.
Pancreas Endocrine Function
The main role of the pancreas is to maintain blood glucose balance.
Glucose
A simple sugar the body uses for energy production on the cellular level.
Ovaries Endocrine Function
The ovaries secrete hormones essential for female reproductive development and fertility.
Testes Endocrine Function
The testes are responsible for maintaining male reproductive health.
Insulin
A hormone produced in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar.
Testosterone
A steroid hormone found in both males and females.
Osteoporosis
A skeletal condition that results in weak or brittle bones.
Catabolic
Metabolic activity involving the breakdown of molecules such as proteins or lipids.
Protein Synthesis
The process of arranging amino acids into protein structures.
Anabolic
The process of creating larger molecules from smaller units.
Growth Hormone
A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth in animal cells.
Insulin-Like Growth Factors
A protein similar to insulin that stimulates growth of cells.
Cortisol
A catabolic hormone released in response to physical and emotional stress.
Ketone Bodies
Molecules released by the liver in starvation states for an alternate energy source.
Ketosis
A metabolic process that occurs when the body does not have enough carbohydrates for energy; the liver metabolizes fatty acids to produce ketones as a replacement energy source.
Catecholamines
Hormones released by the adrenal glands into the blood as a result of stress.
Ingestion
Taking food in through the mouth.
Mechanical digestion
The process of chewing (mastication) and the churning and mixing actions of the stomach that further break down food.
Chemical digestion
Enzymes released throughout the digestive tract are released to break food into smaller molecules.
Peristalsis
The muscular contractions of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, which moves food through the digestive tract.
Chyme
A pulpy, acidic fluid that moves from the stomach to the small intestines containing partially digested food and gastric juices.
Bile
A bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid aiding digestion, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
Salivary Amylase
An enzyme found in saliva that converts starches and glycogen to more simple sugars.
Integumentary System
Organ system protecting the body; composed of skin, hair, and nails.
Epidermis
The outermost layer of the skin.
Dermis
Deep to the epidermis; holds blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles.
Hypodermis
The deepest layer of skin housing fat cells and connective tissues.
Subcutaneous Fat
Generally harmless fat cells located just beneath the skin.
