Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive Systems; Body Organization and Homeostasis (Ch. 5-28, 1.3-1.4)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to the listed body systems, life processes, and homeostasis from the notes.

Digestive System

System of organs that ingests, digests, and absorbs nutrients; includes mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and often liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines.

Mouth

Oral cavity where food intake begins; mechanical chewing and chemical digestion by saliva.

Pharynx

Throat region that serves as a common pathway for air and food, connecting the nasal/oral cavities to the larynx and esophagus.

Esophagus

Muscular tube that transports food from the pharynx to the stomach via peristaltic contractions.

Stomach

Sac where food mixes with acid and enzymes to form a semi-liquid substance called chyme.

Liver

Metabolically active organ that processes nutrients, detoxifies substances, and produces bile.

Pancreas

Gland that produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin and glucagon.

Gallbladder

Organ that stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine.

Rectum

Final section of the large intestine; stores feces before defecation.

Anus

Opening at the end of the digestive tract through which feces are excreted.

Large intestine

Absorbs water and electrolytes and forms solid waste (feces).

Salivary gland

Glands that produce saliva to begin digestion and lubricate food.

Mammary gland

Breast gland that produces milk in females.

Uterine tube (Fallopian tube)

Tube that transports ova from the ovary to the uterus; site of fertilization.

Ovary

Female gonad that produces eggs and hormones such as estrogen.

Uterus

Womb; organ that houses and supports a developing fetus during pregnancy.

Vagina

Female reproductive canal that receives semen and acts as the birth canal.

Penis

Male reproductive organ that deposits semen and facilitates urination.

Testis (Testes)

Male gonads that produce sperm and testosterone.

Epididymis

Coiled duct where sperm mature and are stored before ejaculation.

Ductus deferens (vas deferens)

Tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.

Seminal gland (seminal vesicle)

Glands that secrete components of semen rich in nutrients.

Prostate

Gland that produces prostatic fluid, contributing to semen.

Kidney

Organ that filters blood to form urine and maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Ureter

Tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

Urinary bladder

Organ that stores urine until excretion.

Urethra

Tube through which urine (and in males semen) is excreted.

Integumentary system

Skin and associated structures; protects the body, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary muscles attached to bones that produce movement by contracting.

Tendon

Connects muscle to bone, transmitting force to produce movement.

Brain

Major organ of the central nervous system that processes information and coordinates activity.

Spinal cord

Part of the nervous system that transmits signals between the brain and the body; coordinates reflexes.

Nerve

Bundle of neurons that transmits electrical impulses throughout the body.

Hypothalamus

Brain region that links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary.

Pineal gland

Endocrine gland that secretes melatonin and helps regulate circadian rhythms.

Pituitary gland

Master endocrine gland that secretes hormones regulating other glands and many body functions.

Thyroid gland

Endocrine gland that produces hormones regulating metabolism, growth, and development.

Parathyroid glands

Glands controlling calcium balance in the body.

Thymus

Immune organ where T lymphocytes mature; also has endocrine functions in development.

Adrenal (Suprarenal) gland

Glands atop the kidneys producing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Heart

Central organ of the cardiovascular system that pumps blood.

Blood vessels (veins and arteries)

Vascular tubes that carry blood throughout the body.

Vein

Blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Lymphatic system

Network of tissues and organs that transport lymph and participate in immune defense.

Pharyngeal tonsil

Tonsil located in the pharynx contributing to immune defense.

Palatine tonsil

Lateral throat tonsil involved in immune response.

Lingual tonsil

Tonsil at the base of the tongue involved in immune defense.

Red bone marrow

Bone marrow that produces blood cells (hematopoiesis).

Thymus (immune context)

Gland where T cells mature and differentiate.

Thoracic duct

Main lymphatic vessel that returns lymph to the venous system.

Spleen

Organ that filters blood, supports immune responses, and recycles old red blood cells.

Lymph node

Small immune structure that filters lymph and activates immune responses.

Lymphatic vessel

Vessel that transports lymph throughout the body.

Nasal cavity

Air-filled space in the nose that filters, humidifies, and warms air.

Larynx

Voice box; routes air to the trachea and houses vocal cords.

Trachea

Windpipe that conducts air to the lungs.

Bronchus

Air passages within the lungs that branch from the trachea.

Lung

Organ responsible for gas exchange between air and blood.

Pharynx (overview)

Shared term for throat region involved in both digestive and respiratory pathways.

Salivary gland (Digestive)

Glands that secrete saliva to aid digestion and lubrication.

1.3 Basic Life Processes: Metabolism

All chemical processes that sustain life; includes breakdown (catabolism) and synthesis (anabolism).

Catabolism

Metabolic process of breaking down molecules to release energy.

Anabolism

Metabolic process of building complex molecules for growth and repair.

Responsiveness

Capacity to sense and respond to changes in the environment.

Movement

Mobility of body parts or substances via muscle action or cellular motion.

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells within an organism.

Differentiation

Process by which unspecialized cells become specialized in form and function.

Reproduction

Production of offspring; passing genetic material to next generation.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

External environment

Conditions outside the body that can affect internal stability.

Internal environment

Fluid surroundings of body cells, including interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid between tissue cells; part of the extracellular fluid (ECF).

Blood plasma

Liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended.

Intercellular (Intracellular) Fluid (ICF)

Fluid inside body cells.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells, including interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Control of Homeostasis

Regulatory processes that maintain stable internal conditions.

Feedback System

Cycle of monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting body conditions to restore balance.

Stimulus

Any change that disrupts homeostasis and acts as a trigger for response.

Receptors

Sensors that detect changes and relay information to the control center.

Control Center

Organ (often the brain) that processes signals and determines response.

Input

Signal received by the control center from receptors.

Output

Signal sent from the control center to effectors to trigger a response.

Effector

Organ or cell that responds to the control center's command to restore homeostasis.