Human Anatomy and Physiology Finals Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering human body systems, organ functions, circulatory mechanics, lymphatic response, and reproductive biology based on the final exam study guide.

Integumentary System

The largest organ (skin) that provides protection, regulates body temp, has receptors, provides vitamin D, and prevents water loss.

Skeletal System

Gives support and protection, allows for blood cell reproduction, stores calcium and phosphorus, and enables body movement.

Muscular System

Produces body movement and generates heat when muscles contract.

Nervous System

A shorter-lasting control system that responds to sensory stimuli and is responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

Endocrine System

A system with long-lasting effects that uses hormones to communicate body and cellular growth, chemical levels, and reproductive functions.

Cardiovascular System

Consists of the heart and blood vessels to circulate blood, distributing hormones, nutrients, and gases.

Lymphatic System

Transports and filters fluids (lymph) and initiates immune responses when necessary.

Respiratory System

Responsible for the exchange of gases between blood and the air within the lungs.

Digestive System

Digests food and fluids, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste from the body.

Urinary System

Filters blood to remove waste products in the form of urine and manages its release.

Male Reproductive System

Produces male sex cells and transfers sperm from male to female.

Female Reproductive System

Produces female sex cells, receives sperm, facilitates fertilization of the oocyte, and supports growth and development of the embryo and fetus.

Liver

Organ that filters blood and removes toxins.

Small Intestine

Organ responsible for absorbing nutrients.

Large Intestine

Organ responsible for absorbing water and fluids.

Pancreas

Organ that helps with digestion and controls blood sugar levels.

Gallbladder

Organ that stores bile.

Spleen

Filters blood and fights infections.

Thymus

Site where immune cells (T cells) mature.

Adrenal Glands

Responsible for the stress response, including fight-or-flight or rest-and-digest.

Diaphragm

The primary muscle involved in breathing.

Blood Composition

Consists of Plasma (liquid carrier), RBC (carries oxygen and carbon dioxide to hemoglobin), WBC (fights infections), and Platelets (helps blood clot).

Red Blood Cells (RBC)

Cells that carry oxygen, contain hemoglobin, and lack a nucleus; they are more common than white blood cells.

White Blood Cells (WBC)

Cells that fight infections, have a nucleus, and do not contain hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin

A protein found inside red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

Left Ventricle

The strongest heart chamber because it must pump blood the furthest (to the entire body).

Septum

A wall of muscle that separates the right and left sides of the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

Located between the right atrium and right ventricle; prevents blood from flowing back into the atrium.

Mitral Valve (Bicuspid Valve)

Located between the left atrium and left ventricle; prevents backflow into the left atrium.

Myocardium

The middle, thick muscular layer of the heart responsible for pumping; it is thickest in the left ventricle.

Lub sound

The sound caused by the closing of the tricuspid and mitral (bicuspid) valves.

Dub sound

The sound caused by the closing of the pulmonary and aortic valves.

Systole

When the heart contracts and the ventricles pump blood out, creating the higher blood pressure number.

Diastole

When the heart relaxes and the chambers fill with blood, creating the lower blood pressure number.

Arteries

Vessels with thick, strong walls that carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.

Capillaries

Extremely thin vessels ($1$ cell thick) that allow oxygen, nutrients, and waste to move between blood and body cells.

T Cells

Lymphocytes that attack infected or abnormal body cells directly and coordinate the immune response.

B Cells

Lymphocytes that make antibodies and can become memory cells to respond faster to recurring germs.

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte

Specifically kills infected or abnormal body cells.

NK (Natural Killer) Cell

Kills infected or abnormal cells quickly without needing prior exposure.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)

Lymphatic tissue in the lining of digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts that fights germs entering these areas.

Peyer Patches

Groups of lymphatic tissue in the small intestine that watch for harmful bacteria in food.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that makes a change stronger and continues until a job is done, such as oxytocin release during breastfeeding.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that brings the body back to normal to maintain homeostasis, such as sweating when hot.

Insulin

Hormone released by the pancreas when blood sugar is too high to help cells absorb glucose.

Glucagon

Hormone released by the pancreas when blood sugar is too low to tell the liver to release stored glucose.

Alveoli

Site in the lower respiratory tract where oxygen moves into the blood and carbon dioxide moves out.

Mechanical Digestion

The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces to make it easier to digest.

Chemical Digestion

The breakdown of food into nutrients using enzymes and acids.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscle contractions that push food forward through the digestive tract.

Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine where most chemical digestion happens.

Jejunum

The middle part of the small intestine which absorbs most nutrients.

Villi and Microvilli

Special features of the small intestine that enable the absorption of nutrients.

Steroids

Hormones made from cholesterol that can enter the cell and target receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus.

Proximal Convoluted Tube (PCT)

Region of the renal tubule that reabsorbs most nutrients, water, and salts back into the blood.

Loop of Henle

Consists of a descending limb that moves water out and an ascending limb that moves salts out to concentrate urine.

Renal Corpuscle

Composed of the Glomerulus and Bowman's capsule; filters blood to start urine formation.

Daily Sperm Production

Approximately $300$ million new sperm are created every day.

Zona Pellucida

The last obstacle sperm encounter before they penetrate the egg.

Gastrulation

Process occurring $2$ weeks after conception where cells organize into an embryonic disc with $3$ layers.

Fetus

The name for the embryo $2$ months after fertilization.

Pathway of Conduction

SA Node $\rightarrow$ AV Node $\rightarrow$ Bundle of His $\rightarrow$ Bundle Branches $\rightarrow$ Purkinje Fibers.