Body Systems

Anatomy

The study of the structure of an organism’s body parts (its form).

Physiology

The study of the functions of those parts.

Structural Hierarchy

Individual cells are organized into larger working units like tissues, organs, and systems, leading to the whole organism.

Tissue

An integrated group of similar cells that performs a specific function.

Homeostasis

The tendency of animal bodies to maintain relatively constant internal conditions despite external changes.

Alimentary Canal

A long tube in the digestive system where food is broken down into smaller molecules.

Absorption

The process of taking up small nutrient molecules by cells, primarily in the small intestine.

Ingestion

The first stage of food processing, where animals take in food.

Gas Exchange

The process of exchanging gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment.

Circulatory System

A network of organs and tissues that transport materials throughout the body.

Heart

The central hub of the human circulatory system, consisting of four chambers that control blood flow.

Treatment

Medical procedures like angioplasty, stents, or bypass surgery to address clogged arteries.

Healthy arteries

Maintained through a healthy diet, weight management, exercise, no smoking, and cholesterol-lowering medication if necessary.

Blood

Fluid in the circulatory system transporting O2, CO2, nutrients, and waste, composed of plasma, small molecules, and various cells.

Blood Types

Categorized based on carbohydrates present on red blood cells' surface, determined by genetic coding.

Clotting

Platelets aid in blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding when injured.

Immune System

Body's defense against pathogens, comprising external defenses, inflammatory response, lymphatic system, specific immunity, antibodies, clonal selection, destroying invaders, and memory cells.

External Defenses

Initial barriers preventing pathogens from entering the body.

Inflammatory Response

Redness, swelling, and pain at an injury site as signs of the immune system's reaction.

Lymphatic System

Network of vessels and nodes aiding in immune response by producing blood cells and attacking microbes.

Specific Immunity

Activated by exposure to antigens, molecules eliciting an immune response, involving B cells, T cells, and antibodies.

Clonal Selection

Process where specific white blood cells multiply to combat invading antigens, maintaining a diverse immune cell population.

Destroying Invaders

Antibodies neutralize threats, while helper T cells stimulate immune cell production to eliminate invaders.

Memory

Memory cells formed during initial exposure to antigens enable a rapid and robust immune response upon subsequent encounters.