Digestion
Breakdown of food substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed and used
oral cavity
The part of the mouth behind the gums and teeth that is bounded above by the hard and soft palates and below by the tongue and by the mucous membrane connecting it with the inner part of the mandible.
saliva
The fluid released when the mouth waters that plays an important role in both mechanical and chemical digestion
Epiglottis
A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from entering.
Esophagus
A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
gastric juice
digestive secretions of the stomach glands consisting chiefly of hydrochloric acid and mucin and the enzymes pepsin and rennin and lipase
stomach
large muscular sac that continues the mechanical and chemical digestion of food
intestines
tube-shaped organs through which most nutrients and water are absorbed from food
Pancreas
An organs in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
gall bladder function
stores and concentrates bile
Liver functions
Responsible for: The metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Excretion of bilirubin, cholesterol, hormones, and drugs. Enzyme activation. Storage of glycogen, vitamins, and minerals. Synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin, and clotting factors. Blood detoxification and purification. Bile production and secretion.
enzymes
Catalysts for chemical reactions in living things
Bronchi
two short branches located at the lower end of the trachea that carry air into the lungs.
Peristalsis
Involuntary waves of muscle contraction that keep food moving along in one direction through the digestive system.
Inhalation
the act of taking in air as the diaphragm contracts and pulls downward
Exhalation
The passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs.
internal respiration
Exchange of gases between cells of the body and the blood
external respiration
the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and the blood
Larynx
voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea; contains vocal cords
Lungs function
helps oxygen enter red blood cells
Trachea
Allows air to pass to and from lungs
Diaphragm
Large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing
clotting
the coagulation of blood caused by the rupture of platelets and the interaction of fibrin, fibrinogen, thrombin, prothrombin and calcium ions
gas exchange
Breathing, transport of gases, and exchange of gases with tissue cells; Provides O2 for cellular respiration and removes its waste product, CO2
Bronchioles
Airways in the lungs that lead from the bronchi to the alveoli.
Alveoli
tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases between air and blood
Villi
Fingerlike extensions of the intestinal mucosa that increase the surface area for absorption
Microvilli
projections that increase the cell's surface area
mucus
A thick, slippery substance produced by the body
arteries
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart
atrium
Each of the two upper chambers of the heart that receives blood that comes into the heart
Ventricles
the two lower chambers of the heart, and they pump blood out to the lungs and body.
pulmonary circulation
flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart
Cardiac circulation
The circulation of blood around the heart only
Aorta
The large arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body.
Veins
Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart
Capillaries
Microscopic vessel through which exchanges take place between the blood and cells of the body
Plasma
Liquid part of blood
Leukocytes
white blood cells
Erythrocytes
red blood cells, carry oxygen
Hemoglobin
An iron-containing protein in red blood cells that reversibly binds oxygen.
Platelets
blood clotting
heart rate
A measure of cardiac activity usually expressed as the number of beats per minute.
blood pressure
the pressure that is exerted by the blood against the walls of blood vessels
Systolic/systole
Maximum pressure exerted on arteries when the ventricles contract or ejected blood from the heart.
Diastolic/diastole
The period of time when the heart fills with blood after contraction
Lymphocytes
The two types of white blood cells that are part of the body's immune system: B lymphocytes form in the bone marrow and release antibodies that fight bacterial infections; T lymphocytes form in the thymus and other lymphatic tissue and attack cancer cells, viruses, and foreign substances.