Human systems Flashcards
Explain the role of saliva in the Digestive system
Begins chemical breakdown
Act of chewing releases amalyse (breaks down starch) and lipase (breaks down fats)
Smell of food begins salivation
Explain the function of the mouth in the digestive system
Saliva starts chemical breakdown of food
Teeth and tongue begin mechanical breakdown
Function of Pharynx in digestive system
Pushes food toward the esophagus
Function of epiglottis in digestive system
Closes the windpipe preventing choking
Function of the esophagus in the digestive system
pushes food down in a wave-like motion to the stomach
Function of the stomach in the digestive system
Continues mechanical and chemical digestion
Function of small intestine in digestive system
Absorbs nutrients and continues chemical digestion
Function of Large intestine in Digestive system
stores waste and absorbs water
Function of pancreas in digestive system
Releases enzymes into the small intestine to aid digestion
Function of the liver in the digestive system
Produces enzymes found in bile (breaks down fats)
Function of gall bladder in digestive system
Stores bile to be secreted into the small intestine
Explain the steps of food moving through the digestive system
- Enters the mouth (broken down by teeth)
- Salivary glands begin chemical digestion
- Food pushed down the esophagus by the pharynx, epiglottis closes
- Food moves to the stomach via the esophagus
- Food passes through the cardiac sphincter into the stomach (splashing of acid out of the cardiac sphincter= heartburn) Food is further broken down in the stomach and becomes Chyme
- Chyme passes through the pyloric sphincter to the small intestine (3 parts, Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum)
- Food passes into the large intestine to absorb water and remaining useful ions
- Rectum stores feces to be eliminated through the anus
Explain the parts of the Small intestine
Duodenum: final digestive activities occur through the release of enzymes from the pancreas, liver and gall bladder
Jejunum: Absorption of nutrients begins, lined in microvilli to allow for maximum surface area
Ileum: responsible for absorption of fats and vitamins, returns bile to the liver, remaining chyme passes through the ileocecal valve to large intestine
What is the role of the urinary system
Another waste removal system
Waste products enter the circulatory system and are collected in the kidneys to be removed through the urethra
List the 3 main functions of the respiratory systems.
Bringing oxygen into the lungs
Giving oxygen to red blood cells
Exhaling carbon dioxide
Explain the role of the nose in the respiratory system.
Air goes through the nostrils, is warmed moistened and cleaned via the mucus membrane
Explain the role of the pharynx in the respiratory system
Air passes past the pharynx through the epiglottis and the larynx
Explain the role of the larynx in the respiratory system
Voice box
Explain the role of the trachea in the respiratory system
Cartilage rings protect it, keeps air moist warm and clean (mucus) as it travels to the bronchi
Explain the role of the bronchi in the respiratory system
Split into left and right, contracts to help expel air
Explain the role of the bronchioles in the respiratory system
Bronchi continue splitting into bronchioles which move air through the lungs
What are alveoli?
Small sac structures at the end of the bronchioles whcih exchange oxygen and CO2
Explain the role of caplilaries in the respiratory system
Tiny blood vessels around the alveoli which provide blood flow
Allows for red blood cells to collect oxygen and deliver carbon dioxide
Explain how we take in oxygen
The rib cage is lifted by the intercostal muscles
Diaphragm contracts and moves downward
The chest cavity gets bigger and the oxygen flows into the lungs
Explain how gas exchange occurs in the alveoli.
Alveoli absorb oxygen
Passive transport occurs, the oxygen moves into the deoxygenated blood and the CO2 moves into the alveoli
What is the main function of the circulatory system
Transporting oxygen to cells Removing CO2 Transporting nutrients to cells Helps immune system fight infection Transports horomones to specific tissues Controls internal temperature
What are the 3 types of blood cells in the circulatory system
Red blood cells: transport oxygen away from the lungs and CO2 to the lungs
White blood cells: fight infection, attack foreign cells and produce antibodies
Platelets: irregularyly shaped cells that initiate blood clots
What are the 2 types of blood vessels?
Arteries: carry blood away from the heart
Veins: carry blood to the heart
Both can carry oxygenated or deoxygenated
Explain blood flow through the heart and lungs
- The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood
- both atria contract and the blood goes through the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle
- Both ventricles contract and the blood goes through the pulmonary valve
- Blood travels through the pulmonary artery to the lungs to pick up oxygen
- Blood picks up oxygen and is sent to the left atrium via the pulmonary vein
- blood enters the left atrium and both atria contract sending blood into the left ventricle through the mitral valve
- Blood enters the left ventricle and the ventricles contract
- blood travels through the aortic valve
- blood is distributed by the aorta
Describe the function of the spleen.
Stores half the bodies white blood cells
Produces red blood cells and antibodies
Stores an emergency supply of red blood cells for the body to use
Red Pulp: helps keep the body supplied with blood
White Pulp: helps the body fight infection
What is hypertension?
High blood pressure
Measures 3 seperate times at least one week apart
120/80 is normal
140/90 is considered high
Explain how blood pressure is measured.
120/80 is normal
120 is the pressure against the walls of the blood vessels when the heart is pumping, 80 is when the heart is resting
Increases risk of stroke (blood vessel bursts in or near the brain), heart disease (high strain leads to weaker muscles) and kidney disease (blood vessels in the kidney get damaged and can’t filter properly
