U1AOS2 SAC 3 glossary terms

"Define urea."

"Urea is a waste product formed in the liver from the breakdown of proteins, excreted in urine."

"Describe the nephron."

"The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and forms urine."

"Explain the role of the proximal convoluted tubule."

"The proximal convoluted tubule is the part of the nephron where most reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs."

"How does the ascending limb function in the nephron?"

"The ascending limb is the portion of the loop of Henle that reabsorbs salts but is impermeable to water."

"What is urine composed of?"

"Urine is the liquid waste excreted by the kidneys, containing water, urea, and other substances."

"Describe the function of the afferent capillary."

"The afferent capillary is the small blood vessel that brings blood into the glomerulus of the nephron."

"Explain the role of the distal convoluted tubule."

"The distal convoluted tubule is the part of the nephron where selective reabsorption and secretion occur."

"What is the purpose of the collecting duct?"

"The collecting duct is the tube that collects urine from multiple nephrons and transports it to the renal pelvis."

"Define filtrate in the context of the nephron."

"Filtrate is the fluid filtered from the blood into the Bowman's capsule, which becomes urine after modification."

"Describe the function of the efferent capillary."

"The efferent capillary is the small blood vessel that carries blood away from the glomerulus."

"What do renal arteries do?"

"Renal arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys for filtration."

"Explain the process of secretion in the nephron."

"Secretion is the active transport of substances from the blood into the nephron for removal."

"Describe the glomerulus."

"The glomerulus is a cluster of capillaries in the nephron where blood filtration begins."

"How does the loop of Henle contribute to urine concentration?"

"The loop of Henle is a section of the nephron that concentrates urine by reabsorbing water and salt."

"Define the cortex of the kidney."

"The cortex is the outer layer of the kidney where initial blood filtration occurs."

"What is reabsorption in the nephron?"

"Reabsorption is the process by which useful substances are returned from the nephron to the blood."

"Explain the structure and function of Bowman's capsule."

"Bowman's capsule is a cup-like structure in the nephron that surrounds the glomerulus and collects filtrate."

"Describe the descending limb of the loop of Henle."

"The descending limb is the portion of the loop of Henle that reabsorbs water but not salt."

"What is the medulla in relation to the kidney?"

"The medulla is the inner part of the kidney where urine is concentrated and collecting ducts are located."

"Define signalling molecule."

"A signalling molecule is a chemical that transmits information between cells to trigger a response."

"Explain the role of hormones in the body."

"Hormones are signalling molecules produced by glands that travel through the bloodstream to affect target cells."

"Describe the function of a receptor in cellular communication."

"A receptor is a protein on or in a cell that binds to a specific signalling molecule and initiates a response."

"Identify what a target cell is."

"A target cell is a cell that has receptors for a specific signalling molecule and responds to it."

"What is the endocrine system responsible for?"

"The endocrine system is responsible for the collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate body functions."

"Define a gland in the context of the body."

"A gland is an organ that produces and releases substances such as hormones or enzymes."

"Explain the function of the blood circulatory system."

"The blood circulatory system transports blood, nutrients, gases, and hormones throughout the body."

"Describe the pancreas and its functions."

"The pancreas is a gland that produces digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin and glucagon."

"What is glucose and its significance in the body?"

"Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as the main source of energy for cells."

"Define carbohydrate and its primary use."

"A carbohydrate is a macromolecule made of sugar units, used primarily for energy."

"Explain the role of a glucose transporter."

"A glucose transporter is a protein that helps move glucose across cell membranes."

"What is glycogen and where is it stored?"

"Glycogen is a stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles."

"Describe glycogenesis."

"Glycogenesis is the process of converting glucose into glycogen for storage."

"What is glycogenolysis?"

"Glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose for energy."

"Define blood plasma."

"Blood plasma is the liquid part of blood that carries cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste."

"Explain what blood glucose level indicates."

"Blood glucose level indicates the concentration of glucose present in the blood."

"Describe hyperglycaemia."

"Hyperglycaemia is a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal."

"What is hypoglycaemia?"

"Hypoglycaemia is a condition where blood glucose levels are lower than normal."

"Identify the islets of Langerhans and their function."

"The islets of Langerhans are clusters of hormone-producing cells in the pancreas."

"What do alpha cells produce?"

"Alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans produce glucagon."

"What is the function of beta cells?"

"Beta cells in the islets of Langerhans produce insulin."

"Describe the role of insulin in the body."

"Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake and storage."

"Explain the function of glucagon."

"Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown."

"Define a receptor in the context of biological systems."

"A receptor is a protein or cell that detects a stimulus and sends a signal to the processing centre."

"How does negative feedback work in biological systems?"

"Negative feedback is a control mechanism where a response reduces or counteracts the original stimulus."

"What is a response in the context of stimulus-response models?"

"A response is the action or change that occurs as a result of a stimulus."

"Identify the role of a modulator in a biological system."

"A modulator is the part of a system that processes signals from receptors and coordinates a response."

"Explain positive feedback and provide an example."

"Positive feedback is a control mechanism where a response increases the effect of the original stimulus, such as during childbirth."

"Describe the stimulus-response model."

"The stimulus-response model explains how organisms detect and respond to changes in their environment."

"What is an effector in biological terms?"

"An effector is a cell, tissue, or organ that carries out a response to a stimulus."

"Define a stimulus in the context of biological responses."

"A stimulus is a change in the internal or external environment that triggers a response."

"What is the processing centre in the nervous system?"

"The processing centre is the part of the body, like the brain or spinal cord, that interprets signals and coordinates a response."

"Describe the process of transduction in biological systems."

"Transduction is the process of converting a stimulus into a signal that can bring about a response."

"What is a stressor and its effect on homeostasis?"

"A stressor is a stimulus that causes stress and disrupts homeostasis."

"Define an endotherm and its temperature regulation method."

"An endotherm is an organism that generates its own heat to maintain a stable internal temperature."

"Explain thermoregulation."

"Thermoregulation is the process of maintaining a constant internal body temperature."

"What is metabolism?"

"Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in the body that produce or use energy."

"Define an ectotherm and its method of temperature regulation."

"An ectotherm is an organism that relies on external heat sources to regulate its body temperature."

"Describe vasoconstriction and its purpose."

"Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels to reduce heat loss."

"What is brown fat and its function in the body?"

"Brown fat is a type of body fat that generates heat through rapid metabolism."

"Describe the role of the cerebral cortex in the brain."

"The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of the brain involved in thinking, decision-making, and voluntary actions."

"Explain the function of the hypothalamus in the body."

"The hypothalamus is a brain region that regulates body temperature, hunger, and other homeostatic functions."

"Define skeletal muscle and its primary function."

"Skeletal muscle is muscle attached to bones that is responsible for voluntary movement and heat production."

"How does osmoregulation maintain body fluid balance?"

"Osmoregulation is the process of maintaining water and salt balance in the body."

"What is the significance of the adrenal gland in hormone production?"

"The adrenal gland is located above the kidney and produces hormones like adrenaline and aldosterone."

"Describe the process of crenation in cells."

"Crenation is the process where a cell shrinks and wrinkles due to water loss by osmosis."

"Explain the role of renin in the body."

"Renin is an enzyme released by the kidneys that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance."

"Define osmolality and its importance in body fluids."

"Osmolality is the concentration of solutes in a solution, often used to measure body fluid balance."

"How does radiation transfer heat?"

"Radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic waves, without direct contact."

"What is the function of aquaporins in cell membranes?"

"Aquaporins are protein channels in cell membranes that allow water to pass through."

"Describe the role of osmoreceptors in the body."

"Osmoreceptors are sensory receptors that detect changes in the osmotic pressure of body fluids."

"Explain the function of aldosterone in the kidneys."

"Aldosterone is a hormone that promotes sodium and water retention in the kidneys, helping regulate blood pressure."

"What do baroreceptors detect in the body?"

"Baroreceptors are sensory receptors that detect changes in blood pressure."

"How does the hypothalamus contribute to water balance?"

"The hypothalamus controls many body functions, including temperature and water balance."

"Define the role of ADH (antidiuretic hormone) in kidney function."

"ADH promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys to reduce water loss."

"Describe the function of the pituitary gland in hormone regulation."

"The pituitary gland is a small gland at the base of the brain that releases hormones controlling growth, stress, and water balance."