sci_mod15 Flashcards
A group of cells that prepare and release a chemical for use by the body
Gland
A weakened or inactive version of a pathogen that stimulates the body’s production of antibodies which can destroy the pathogen
Vaccine
A chemical released in the bloodstream that sends signals to specific cells, causing them to change their behavior in specific ways
Hormone
Describe the main function of each of the three systems you studied in this module.
a. The lymphatic system fights disease.
b. The urinary system regulates water balance and chemical levels in the body.
c. The endocrine system controls various functions by releasing hormones.
What two kinds of structures make up the lymphatic system? In which of these structures is the lymph actually cleaned?
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. The lymph gets cleaned in the lymph nodes.
How does lymph get pumped through the lymphatic system?
The contraction of certain muscles squeezes the lymph vessels, pumping lymph throughout the system.
What gland produces tears? What two purposes do tears serve?
The lacrimal glands produce tears. Tears clean the eye of contaminants and provide a chemical relief for sadness.
What three kinds of cells in the lymph nodes fight infection?
The lymph nodes have T-cells, B-cells, and macrophages which all fight pathogens and toxic chemicals in different ways.
What kind of cell in the lymph nodes produces antibodies?
B-cells produce antibodies.
What kind of cell helps the lymphatic system “remember” an infection so that it can fight the infection better the next time?
Memory B-cells give the lymphatic system a memory of past infections.
Does it do any good to take a vaccine once you are sick with the disease the vaccine is supposed to fight?
It does little good. The purpose of a vaccine is to give you the antibodies and the memory B-cells before the infection takes place.
Explain how a kidney functions. Start with the blood going into a kidney and end with it leaving the kidney.
The renal artery brings blood into the kidney. This blood supplies oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the kidneys and picks up the cells’ waste products. Then, the blood is filtered. The water and chemicals are dumped into tubes called nephrons. As the chemicals and water travel through the nephrons, cells absorb specific amounts of water and chemicals which get put back into the blood. Any water and chemicals left over get sent to the renal pelvis and out of the kidney. The cleaned blood leaves through the renal vein.
What does a kidney do with any excess water or chemicals? Where do they go?
Excess water and chemicals are dumped into the renal pelvis and then travel through the ureter to the bladder. Eventually, they leave the body through the urethra.
What is the purpose of dialysis?
Dialysis is the process by which a person is hooked up to an artificial kidney when their own kidneys are not functioning properly.
Controls the pituitary gland
hypothalamus
