Exam 4 Review: Endocrine System, Blood, and Cardiovascular System

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the Endocrine system, Blood, The Heart, and the Vascular System as outlined in the Exam 4 study guide.

Endocrine system

A regulatory system that uses hormones to control various bodily functions and maintain homeostasis.

Steroid hormones

Hormones that act on a cell by passing through the cell membrane and binding to receptors inside the cell.

Protein-based hormones

Hormones that exert their effects by binding to specific receptors located on the surface of the cell membrane.

Negative feedback loops

A primary mechanism in the endocrine system where the body senses a change and activates processes to reverse that change.

Thyroid hormone

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates the body's metabolic rate.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that works to increase blood glucose levels.

Catecholamines

Hormones, such as epinephrine, that help increase blood glucose levels in response to stress.

Glucocorticoids

Steroid hormones, such as cortisol, that are involved in the regulation of blood glucose.

Pancreas

An organ with both endocrine and exocrine functions; its endocrine anatomy includes Islets of Langerhans for insulin and glucagon production.

Red bone marrow

The tissue where blood cell production (hemopoiesis) occurs, located in the ends of long bones and flat bones.

Iron

A critical dietary mineral necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin in red blood cells.

Erythropoiesis

The specific process of red blood cell (RBC) production.

RBC Lifespan

The average duration a red blood cell remains functional, which is approximately $120$ days.

Blood typing

The classification of blood based on the presence of specific antigens on the RBC surface, designated as $O$, $A$, $B$, and $AB$.

EPO (Erythropoietin)

A hormone secreted by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Cardiac impulse progression

The electrical path followed through the heart: SA node $\rightarrow$ AV node $\rightarrow$ Bundle of His $\rightarrow$ Purkinje fibers.

Automaticity

The unique ability of the heart to initiate its own electrical impulse spontaneously.

Heart valves

Structures that ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart and lungs by preventing backflow.

Coronary circulation

The system of blood vessels that supplies oxygenated blood specifically to the myocardium (heart muscle).

Cardiac Cycle

The complete series of events, including contraction and relaxation, that occur from the beginning of one heartbeat to the next.

Cardiac center

An area located in the medulla oblongata of the brain that regulates heart rate and force of contraction.

Myocardial Infarction

The death of heart muscle tissue resulting from a sudden lack of blood flow through the coronary arteries; commonly known as a heart attack.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of nutrients, gases, and wastes occurs between the blood and tissues.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that arise from the ascending aorta to provide the heart muscle with oxygenated blood.

Aortic arch

The segment of the aorta that curves and gives rise to the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries.

Mesenteric artery

A major branch of the aorta responsible for supplying blood to the intestines.

Great Vessels

The large veins and arteries directly attached to the heart, including the Aorta, Venae Cavae, Pulmonary Trunk, and Pulmonary Veins.