SCIENCE Flashcards
What is the main purpose of the conducting zone?
Transports air to the site of gas exchange
Known as ‘anatomical dead space’ because no gas exchange occurs here.
What are the key components of the nasal cavity?
Warms, humidifies, and filters air using mucus and hair
What is the function of the pharynx?
Passageway for food and air
What is the role of the larynx?
Voice box
What structure leads air into the lungs?
Trachea
How many lobes does the right lung have?
3 lobes
How many lobes does the left lung have?
2 lobes and a cardiac notch
What are bronchioles?
Smaller airway branches
What are alveoli?
Tiny air sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange occur
What is perfusion?
Blood flow to tissues, organs, and cells
What is ventilation?
Air movement in and out of lungs
What occurs during hyperventilation?
Increased oxygen, decreased carbon dioxide (alkalosis)
What occurs during hypoventilation?
Decreased oxygen, increased carbon dioxide (acidosis)
What is the function of the diaphragm during inspiration?
Contracts and moves downward
What happens during expiration?
Diaphragm relaxes and rises
What is the role of the central nervous system (CNS)?
Processes information and regulates motor responses
What are the two main components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
Sensory and motor neurons
What is the function of the sympathetic nervous system?
Increases heart rate and respiratory rate; slows digestion
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Decreases heart rate; digestion occurs
What is the primary function of glial cells?
Maintain chemical balance for signal transmission between cells
maintain bloodbrain barrier
provide assist in immune
producr myelin sheath and cerebral spinal fluid
What is the function of afferent neurons?
Sensory neurons; input signals
to CNS
What is the function of efferent neurons?
Motor neurons; output signals
away from cns
What is the purpose of the gastrointestinal system?
Processes food and liquids into usable substances
What is the role of saliva in digestion?
Lubricates food and aids in digestion, forming a bolus
What does the epiglottis do?
Prevents food from entering the trachea
What is peristalsis?
Involuntary contraction and relaxation to push food through the digestive tract
What is the function of the stomach in digestion?
Highly acidic environment for digestion
-2L of fluid and food
spincters
What are the three segments of the small intestine?
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- Ileum
What is the primary function of the liver?
Functions in carbohydrate and protein metabolism
Produces bile to help with lipid breakdown in the small intestine.
What is the role of the pancreas?
Produces pancreatic juices to neutralize chyme
What do red blood cells (RBCs) do?
Transport oxygen
What do white blood cells (WBCs) do?
Fight infections
What are the components of blood?
- Red Blood Cells (RBCs)
- White Blood Cells (WBCs)
- Platelets
- Plasma
What is the function of the coronary blood flow?
Deliver nutrients and oxygen to the heart
What are the two sections of the pituitary gland?
- Anterior Pituitary
- Posterior Pituitary
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Central gland overseeing the endocrine system
What is the main function of the integumentary system?
Forms a physical barrier, maintaining homeostasis
What are keratinocytes?
Cells that produce keratin for water resistance and toughness
What does the dermis contain?
- Blood vessels
- Connective tissue
- Sweat glands
- Hair follicles
What is the sliding filament mechanism?
Process of myosin binding to actin and pulling thin filament
What is the main role of the testes in the male reproductive system?
Produce sperm and testosterone
What are the primary hormones produced by the ovaries?
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
What is oogenesis?
Development of egg cells
What is the function of the gallbladder?
Stores bile produced by the liver
What is the role of insulin?
Decreases blood sugar levels
Promotes glucose metabolism and stores glucose as glycogen.
What is the role of glucagon?
Increases blood sugar levels
Fill in the blank: The _______ is responsible for breathing, BP, and HR regulation.
Medulla Oblongata
True or False: The left lung has three lobes.
False
What is the function of the pyloric sphincter?
Separates the stomach from the small intestine
What are the two layers of the testes?
- Tunica albuginea
- Tunica vaginalis
What is the function of the seminal glands?
Produce semen (without sperm) which mixes with sperm
What is the role of the bulbourethral gland?
Produces fluid to lubricate the glans penis
What provides structural support in the skin?
Collagen
a fibroblast
Collagen is a key protein that gives skin its strength and structure.
What is the function of elastin in the skin?
Elasticity
Elastin allows skin to return to its original shape after stretching.
What are the two layers of the dermis?
- Papillary Layer
- Reticular Layer
The papillary layer is the upper layer, while the reticular layer provides strength and elasticity.
What does the subcutaneous layer connect?
Skin to muscles/bones and stores fat
The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, provides insulation.
What is the primary function of sweat glands?
Regulate temperature via vasodilation and vasoconstriction
Sweat glands help release heat and maintain body temperature.
What do sebaceous glands do?
Waterproof and lubricate skin and hair
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum to keep skin hydrated.
How do hair follicles contribute to hair growth?
Through mitosis in the hair bulb
Hair follicles are responsible for the production of hair.
What characterizes a 2nd degree burn?
Affects epidermis and upper dermis; causes blistering
2nd degree burns can result in significant pain and swelling.
What is the main function of the endocrine system?
Messenger system with hormones regulating distant organs via feedback loops
The endocrine system plays a crucial role in homeostasis.
What do endocrine glands do?
Release hormones into the bloodstream
Examples include the hypothalamus and thyroid.
What is the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?
Neural control center of the endocrine system
It regulates various hormonal functions.
What hormone does the anterior pituitary produce that stimulates growth?
Growth Hormone (GH)
GH is essential for growth and development.
What does the pineal gland produce?
Melatonin
Melatonin helps regulate sleep cycles.
What are the two types of glands in the endocrine system?
- Endocrine Glands
- Exocrine Glands
Endocrine glands release hormones into the blood, while exocrine glands use ducts.
What is the primary function of the kidneys in the urinary system?
Maintains osmotic balance and removes metabolic waste through urine
The kidneys filter blood and produce urine.
What is the role of nephrons in the kidneys?
Filter blood and form urine
Nephrons are the functional units of the kidneys.
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms that can cause disease
Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, and worms.
What are the key players in the immune system?
- Macrophages
- Neutrophils
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- B cells
- T cells
These cells are crucial for immune responses.
What is the first line of defense in the immune system?
Non-specific defense provided by skin and mucous membranes
These barriers prevent pathogens from entering the body.
What do cytotoxic T cells do?
Destroy infected cells by inducing apoptosis
They are crucial for cell-mediated immunity.
What is the role of B cells in the immune response?
Produce antibodies in response to antigens
Antibodies neutralize specific pathogens.
What type of immunity is developed from exposure to a disease or vaccination?
Active Immunity
Active immunity provides long-lasting protection.
What is the adult human skeleton composed of?
206 bones
It includes bones, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissues.
What are the two divisions of the skeleton?
- Axial Skeleton
- Appendicular Skeleton
The axial skeleton includes the skull and rib cage, while the appendicular skeleton includes limbs.
What is the function of osteoblasts?
Build and mineralize bones
Osteoblasts are essential for bone growth and repair.
What is the primary function of red bone marrow?
Produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
Red bone marrow is crucial for hematopoiesis.
What is the process of bone remodeling?
- Resting State: Inactive state.
- Resorption: Osteoclasts dissolve bone minerals, releasing calcium.
- Reversal: Mononuclear cells prepare the site for new bone formation.
- Formation: Osteoblasts create new osteoid (bone matrix).
- Mineralization: Restores bone strength.
This process maintains bone health and strength.
What do chondrocytes do?
Mature chondroblasts
Chondrocytes maintain cartilage structure.
Fill in the blank: The _______ layer connects the skin to muscles and bones.
Subcutaneous (Hypodermis)
This layer also stores fat.
- Thyroid Gland
o Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3): Regulate metabolism.
o Calcitonin: Lowers blood calcium levels
parathyroid
Produces parathyroid hormone (raises blood calcium).
- Thymus:
Produces thymosin (T-cell production).
o Adrenal Medulla
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine (fight or flight response
o Adrenal Cortex
Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol): Stress response, glucose metabolism.
Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone): Salt and water balance
Second Line (Inflammatory Response)
- Macrophages (Phagocytic White Blood Cells): Engulf and digest pathogens, aiding in inflammatory responses.
- Mast Cells: Release histamine, dilating blood vessels near injuries and making them “leaky.”
Third Line (Specific Defense)
- Adaptive Immunity: Develops in response to a pathogen or vaccination.
- Involves specific recognition of antigens (markers identifying harmful agents).
Antibodies
- IgG: Most abundant; enhances phagocytosis and neutralizes toxins.
- IgA: Mucosal immunity.
- IgM: First produced during infections; forms complexes with antigens.
- IgE: Involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections.
- IgD: Plays a role in early immune responses.
Memory Cells
- Memory B Cells: Produce antibodies quickly upon re-exposure to a pathogen.
- Memory T Cells: Quickly activate cytotoxic T cells during re-exposure.
Passive Immunity
Antibodies provided from another source (e.g., breast milk, placenta, or immunoglobulin injections).
Bone Cells:
- Osteoblasts: Build and mineralize bones.
- Osteocytes: Mature osteoblasts.
- Osteoclasts: Break down bone tissue (release calcium during resorption).
Cartilage
- Chondroblasts: Form cartilage.
- Chondrocytes: Mature chondroblasts.
- Functions: Supports bone-joint connections, acts as a template for bone development.
