Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive Systems, and Human Development Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary set covering the anatomy and physiology of the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems, along with fluid balance and human development fundamentals.

Digestion

The process by which food is broken down into smaller particles that the body can then absorb.

Absorption

The movement of the end products of digestion across the digestive tract walls into the blood and lymph for distribution.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscular contractions that move food and waste through the digestive tract.

Segmentation

A muscle layer process in the digestive tract that involves localized contractions for mixing food.

Mastication

The act of chewing, primarily performed by the teeth in the mouth.

Gastric juice

A digestive secretion produced by the stomach glands to help break down food.

Chyme

The semi-fluid mass of partially digested food that passes from the stomach into the small intestine.

Villi

Small, finger-like projections in the small intestine mucosa that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Bile

A substance synthesized by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids in the emulsification and digestion of fats.

Amylases

Enzymes responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

Proteases

Enzymes that split proteins into amino acids.

Lipases

Enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of fats (lipids) into fatty acids and glycerol.

Nephron Unit

The functional unit of the kidney consisting of renal tubules and blood vessels where urine is formed.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The rate at which the kidneys filter blood to form glomerular filtrate.

Tubular Reabsorption

The process of moving water and solutes from the renal tubules back into the peritubular capillaries.

Micturition

The physiological term for the process of urination or voiding the bladder.

Oliguria

A condition characterized by a low urine output of less than $400\,mL/day$.

Specific Gravity

The ratio of the amount of solute to the volume of urine, indicating concentration.

Intracellular Fluid

Fluid located within the cells, containing high concentrations of $K^+$, $PO_4^{3-}$, and $Mg^{2+}$.

Extracellular Fluid

Fluid located outside the cells, including interstitial fluid, plasma, lymph, and transcellular fluids.

Cation

A positively charged ion, such as $Na^+$ or $K^+$.

Anion

A negatively charged ion, such as $Cl^-$ or $HCO_3^-$.

Acidosis

A physiological state where the plasma pH drops below $7.35$.

Alkalosis

A physiological state where the plasma pH rises above $7.45$.

Spermatogenesis

The biological process of sperm cell production occurring in the testes.

Estrogen and Progesterone

The primary hormones secreted by the ovaries that regulate the female reproductive cycle.

Menarche

The occurrence of the very first menstrual period in a female.

Menopause

The period of life when menstrual cycles gradually become irregular and eventually cease completely.

Prolactin

The hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the production of milk in the breast.

Oxytocin

The hormone responsible for the milk let-down reflex and uterine contractions during labor.

Zygote

The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of the egg and the sperm during fertilization.

Organogenesis

The stage of prenatal development during which the body's organs and organ systems are formed.

Teratogens

Toxic substances or agents that can cause birth defects during prenatal development.

Quickening

The first movement of the fetus felt by the mother, typically occurring in the fifth month.

Parturition

The clinical term for the birth process.

Karyotype

A photograph or visual representation of an individual's chromosomes arranged in matching pairs.

Autosomes

The 22 pairs of chromosomes ($44$ total) that are not involved in determining the sex of an individual.

Nondisjunction

The failure of chromosomes to separate properly during meiosis, potentially leading to conditions like Trisomy 21.

Senescence

The developmental stage representing the period from old age until death.