Study Guide for the Final Exam-Spring Semester 2020

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the study guide for the final exam.

Urinary System

The system responsible for the filtration and excretion of waste products from the body.

Kidneys

Organs that filter blood and produce urine; they play a critical role in the urinary system.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which the kidneys filter blood, reflecting kidney function.

Renal Processes

The three basic processes in kidney function: filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

Juxtaglomerular Apparatus

A specialized structure in the kidney that helps regulate blood pressure and GFR.

Angiotensin II

A hormone that increases blood pressure and affects kidney function by constricting blood vessels.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A hormone produced by the heart that helps lower blood volume and pressure.

Vasopressin

A hormone that regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys, affecting urine concentration.

Micturition Reflex

The reflex that triggers the urge to urinate; controlled by the nervous system.

Fluid Balance

The maintenance of the proper volume and composition of body fluids.

Electrolyte Balance

The regulation of electrolyte concentrations in the body to maintain homeostasis.

Acid-Base Balance

The regulatory mechanism that maintains the pH level of body fluids within a narrow range.

Oogenesis

The process of female gamete (egg) formation.

Spermatogenesis

The process of male gamete (sperm) formation.

Spermiogenesis

The final stage of spermatogenesis, where spermatids develop into mature sperm.

Semen

A fluid containing sperm and secretions from accessory glands that support sperm motility and viability.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Corpus Luteum

A hormone-secreting structure that forms in the ovary after ovulation.

Placenta

An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy to provide nutrients and oxygen to the fetus.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual; the specific alleles present.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an individual, resulting from the interaction of the genotype with the environment.