Comprehensive Guide to the Endocrine, Blood, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, Immune, Respiratory, Digestive, and Metabolic Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from a comprehensive lecture covering key concepts in the endocrine, blood, cardiovascular, lymphatic, immune, respiratory, digestive, and metabolic systems.

Endocrine System

A control system within the body that uses hormones to coordinate metabolism, energy levels, reproduction, growth, development, and stress responses.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands into the bloodstream, regulating various bodily functions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body despite external changes.

Target cells

Cells that have specific receptors for particular hormones, allowing them to respond to those hormonal signals.

Receptors

Proteins on or in target cells that bind to hormones and trigger cellular responses.

Tropic Hormones

Hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to release their hormones.

Adrenal Glands

Endocrine glands that produce hormones like aldosterone and epinephrine, which are involved in stress responses and salt/water balance.

Pituitary Gland

The master endocrine gland that secretes hormones regulating growth, metabolism, and other endocrine glands.

Thyroid Hormones

Hormones (T3 and T4) produced by the thyroid gland that regulate metabolism and energy levels.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood sugar levels by promoting cellular uptake.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood sugar levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Leukocytes

White blood cells involved in immune defense against pathogens.

Platelets

Cell fragments that play a critical role in blood clotting and hemostasis.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in a heartbeat including atrial systole, ventricular systole, and diastole.

Vascular Spasm

Immediate constriction of blood vessels after injury to reduce blood flow.

Platelet Plug Formation

The process by which platelets adhere to injury sites and aggregate to form a temporary plug.

Coagulation

The process of blood clotting where clotting factors activate to form a fibrin mesh.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The highest blood pressure during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The lowest blood pressure during relaxation of the heart.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Pacemaker Cells

Cells in the sinoatrial node that initiate the electrical impulses for heart contractions.

Myocardial Blood Supply

The blood supply delivered to the heart tissue via coronary arteries.

Capillary Exchange

The process by which nutrients, gases, and wastes are exchanged between blood and tissues.

Lymphatic System

A system that returns leaked fluids to the bloodstream, filters pathogens, and supports immune function.

Antigens

Foreign substances that trigger an immune response.

Memory Cells

Lymphocytes that provide long-term immunity by remembering past infections.

Phagocytes

Immune cells that engulf and digest pathogens.

Inflammation

A localized physical condition characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain, signaling the body's immune response.

Angiotensin II

A hormone that increases blood pressure by causing vasoconstriction.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers used in synaptic signaling that transmit signals across synapses.

Cytokines

Proteins that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.

Baroreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in blood pressure and help regulate it.

Fibrinolysis

The process of removing a blood clot after it has served its purpose.

Oxygen Transport

The process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to body tissues by hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Nutrient Absorption

The process of taking in nutrients from food through the digestive system.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

A metabolic pathway that uses oxygen and a proton gradient to produce ATP.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A condition where the body's regulatory mechanisms can't maintain stable internal conditions.

Hydrophilic Hormones

Hormones that are water-soluble and cannot cross cell membranes.

Lipophilic Hormones

Hormones that are fat-soluble and can easily cross cell membranes to bind to intracellular receptors.

Second Messenger Systems

Cell signaling pathways that relay signals from hormones binding to cell-surface receptors.

Bulk Flow

The movement of fluid driven by pressure differences across capillary walls.

Histamine

A compound released during inflammatory responses that causes blood vessels to dilate.

Notch Signaling

A mechanism of direct contact signaling important for cell communication.

Autocrine Signaling

Cell signaling where a cell targets itself by releasing hormones or chemicals.

Paracrine Signaling

Cell signaling that acts on neighboring cells.

Adaptive Immunity

The immune response that adapts to the specific pathogens encountered.

Granulocytes

A type of white blood cell characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

Agranulocytes

A category of white blood cells lacking granules, including lymphocytes and monocytes.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels to decrease blood flow and increase blood pressure.

Epinephrine

A hormone released during stress that increases heart rate and energy availability.

Norepinephrine

A hormone that helps regulate blood pressure and stress responses.

Catecholamines

Hormones released from the adrenal medulla that are involved in the fight-or-flight response.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that bind to specific antigens to help eliminate pathogens.

Ductus Arteriosus

A fetal blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta, bypassing the lungs.

Foramen Ovale

An opening in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass the non-functioning lungs.

Lymph Nodes

Small structures that filter lymph and house immune cells.

MHC Proteins

Molecules on cell surfaces that present antigens to T cells.

B Cells

Lymphocytes responsible for producing antibodies in humoral immunity.

T Cells

Lymphocytes involved in cell-mediated immunity.

Chemiosmosis

The process of ATP production driven by the movement of protons across a membrane.

Lymphatics

Vessels that return lymph fluid to the bloodstream.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Respiratory Pump

The mechanism by which breathing movements assist venous return.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected by the heart in one contraction.

Heart Rate

The number of heart beats per minute.

Nutrient Metabolism

The biochemical processes that convert food into usable forms of energy.

Aerobic Respiration

The process of producing cellular energy in the presence of oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration

The process of producing energy without oxygen, often resulting in lactic acid.

Liver Function

Processes such as detoxification, nutrient metabolism, and bile production.

Bile

A digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps emulsify fats.

Chylomicrons

Lipoprotein particles that transport triglycerides and cholesterols in the lymphatic system.

Epinephrine Action

Increases heart rate and improves blood flow during stress or exercise.

Glucose Regulation

The process of maintaining optimal blood sugar levels, primarily by insulin and glucagon actions.

Aldosterone

A hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels, impacting blood pressure.

Cortisol

A glucocorticoid hormone important for stress response and metabolism.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by a fluid due to gravity and resistance against vessel walls.

Osmotic Pressure

The pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Lymphocytes

A subtype of white blood cells essential for adaptive immunity.

Memory Cells

Long-lived immune cells that can respond quickly upon subsequent encounters with the same antigen.

Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells that engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens.

Cytokine Storm

An excessive immune response that can lead to tissue damage.

Nitric Oxide

A gas that serves as a signaling molecule in vascular smooth muscle relaxation.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates many bodily functions, including hormone release from the pituitary gland.

Endocrine Glands

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Lymph Fluid

A clear fluid that is similar to plasma but contains fewer proteins and more lipids.

Neutrophils

A type of granulocyte that is the first responder to sites of inflammation.

Eosinophils

White blood cells that combat multicellular parasites and certain infections.

Basophils

A type of granulocyte involved in allergic responses and releasing histamines.

Fibrin Mesh

The network of fibrin created during coagulation to stabilize a blood clot.

Biofeedback

A technique to improve health by using monitoring devices to become aware of physiological functions.

Calcium Homeostasis

The regulation of calcium levels in the body to maintain proper physiological function.

Septicemia

A serious bloodstream infection that can lead to systemic inflammation and organ failure.

Neuroendocrine system

The connection between the nervous system and the endocrine system that affects hormonal responses.

Gestational Changes

Physiological adaptations that occur in response to pregnancy.