Biology Chapter 16 - Key Terms Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key terms from Biology Chapter 16.

Alveolus

The terminal structure of the lung passage where gas exchange occurs.

Anus

The exit point of the digestive system for waste material.

Aorta

The major artery that takes blood away from the heart to the systemic circulatory system.

Artery

A blood vessel that takes blood away from the heart.

Atrium

A chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins.

Bicuspid Valve

A one-way opening between the atrium and the ventricle in the left side of the heart.

Bile

A digestive juice produced by the liver; important for digestion of lipids.

Bronchi

Smaller branches of cartilaginous tissue that stem off of the trachea; air is funneled through them to the alveoli for gas exchange.

Bronchiole

An airway that extends from the main bronchus to the alveolar sac.

Capillary

The smallest blood vessel that allows passage of individual blood cells and the site of diffusion of oxygen and nutrient exchange.

Cardiac Cycle

The filling and emptying the heart of blood caused by electrical signals that cause the heart muscles to contract and relax.

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

The muscle tissue found only in the heart; cardiac contractions pump blood throughout the body and maintain blood pressure.

Chyme

A mixture of partially digested food and stomach juices.

Closed Circulatory System

A system that has the blood separated from the bodily interstitial fluid and contained in blood vessels.

Colon

The largest portion of the large intestine consisting of the ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon.

Diaphragm

A skeletal muscle located under lungs that encloses the lungs in the thorax.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is relaxed and the ventricles are filling with blood.

Ectotherm

An organism that relies primarily on environmental heat sources to maintain its body temperature.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

A recording of the electrical impulses of the cardiac muscle.

Endotherm

An organism that relies primarily on internal heat sources to maintain its body temperature.

Epiglottis

A flap of tissue that covers the tracheal opening during swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs.

Esophagus

A tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach.

Essential Nutrient

A nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the body; it must be obtained from food.

Gallbladder

The organ that stores and concentrates bile.

Heterotherm

Animals whose body temperature changes with the environment.

Homeotherm

Animals with a relatively constant body temperature.

Inferior Vena Cava

The major vein of the body returning blood from the lower parts of the body to the right atrium.

Kidney

The organ that performs excretory and osmoregulatory functions.

Large Intestine

A digestive system organ that reabsorbs water from undigested material and processes waste matter.

Larynx

The voice box, located within the throat.

Liver

An organ that produces bile for digestion and processes vitamins and lipids.

Nasal Cavity

An opening of the respiratory system to the outside environment.

Oral Cavity

The point of entry of food into the digestive system.

Osmoregulation

The mechanism by which water and solute concentrations are maintained at desired levels.

Osmotic Balance

The appropriate values of water and solute concentrations for a healthy organism.

Pancreas

A gland that secretes digestive juices.

Peristalsis

Wave-like movements of muscle tissue.

Pharynx

The throat.

Primary Bronchus

A region of the airway within the lung that attaches to the trachea and bifurcates to form the bronchioles.

Pulmonary Circulation

The flow of blood away from the heart through the lungs where oxygenation occurs and then back to the heart.

Rectum

The area of the body where feces is stored until elimination.

Salivary Gland

One of three pairs of exocrine glands in the mammalian mouth that secretes saliva, a mix of watery mucus and enzymes.

Set Point

The target value of a physiological state in homeostasis.

Small Intestine

The organ where digestion of protein, fats, and carbohydrates is completed.

Stomach

A saclike organ containing acidic digestive juices.

Superior Vena Cava

The major vein of the body returning blood from the upper part of the body to the right atrium.

Systemic Circulation

The flow of blood away from the heart to the brain, liver, kidneys, stomach, and other organs, the limbs, and the muscles of the body, and then back to the heart.

Systole

The contraction phase of cardiac cycle when the ventricles are pumping blood into the arteries.

Trachea

The cartilaginous tube that transports air from the throat to the lungs.

Tricuspid Valve

A one-way opening between the atrium and the ventricle in the right side of the heart.

Vein

A blood vessel that brings blood back to the heart.

Ventricle (of the heart)

A large chamber of the heart that pumps blood into arteries.