Transport in Animals

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about transport in animals.

Multicellular organism

Organisms with many cells that are too far from the external environment, requiring a transport system for efficient substance exchange.

Unicellular organism

Organisms with one cell that can exchange substances directly with the environment, not needing a transport system.

Circulatory System

The system in the body that transports blood containing substances to and from cells.

Plasma

Fluid in the blood where most substances dissolve for transport.

Red blood cells

Blood cells specialized to transport oxygen.

Heart

The pumping organ of the circulatory system, divided into four chambers.

Atrium

The two small, thin-walled chambers on the top of the heart where blood first enters.

Ventricle

Muscular, V-shaped chambers that pump blood out of the heart.

Cardiac muscles

Special type of muscle that makes up the heart walls.

Atrioventricular Valves

Valves that prevent the backflow of blood in the heart.

Tricuspid valve

Valve between the right atria and ventricle.

Bicuspid valve

Valve between the left atria and ventricle.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that return blood to the heart.

Systole

The contraction of the heart chambers, which drives blood out of the chambers.

Diastole

The relaxation of the heart chambers, which causes blood to enter the heart.

Double Circulation

A type of blood circulation system in which the blood flows through the heart twice.

Pulmonary circulation

Involves the passing of the blood through the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the heart via the left side.

Systemic circulation

Involves the passing of the blood from the heart to the rest of the body and back to the heart.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue that circulates throughout the body through blood vessels.

Plasma

The fluid part of blood, a watery golden-yellow liquid containing dissolved substances and blood cells.

Red blood cells

Blood cells that carry oxygen and contain hemoglobin.

White blood cells

Blood cells that defend the body in various ways, generally larger than red blood cells but fewer in number.

Phagocytes

Type of white blood cells that swallow and destroy microorganisms and debris in the blood.

Lymphocytes

Type of white blood cells Lymphocytes kill bacteria by secreting antibodies and antitoxins which kill the pathogen directly or make them easier to kill.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Blood Vessels

Tubes that connect the heart to every cell in the body which is part of the cardiovascular system.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels with walls that are one cell across, facilitating the supply of cells with their requirements and removal of waste products.

Blood type

A way to describe the type of antigens, or proteins, on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs).

Antigens

Molecules capable of stimulating an immune response.

Antibodies

Y-shaped proteins produced by B-lymphocytes of the immune system in response to exposure to an antigen.

Blood transfusion

The process of putting blood or blood products from one person into the circulatory system of another person.

Rhesus (Rh) factor

The second most important blood group system in human blood where a person either has, or does not have, the Rh antigen on the surface of their RBCs.

Immunity

Being able to resist a pathogen.

Active Immunity

Immunity that develops during your lifetime (Acquired Immunity is a type of this).

Passive Immunity

Develops after you receive antibodies from someone or somewhere else.

Innate Immunity

Organs, tissues, and cells of the immune system that you are born with.

Vaccination

The process of exposing a person to a pathogen on purpose in order to develop immunity.

Principle of Immunization

Introduce a harmless preparation of the antigens from an infectious agent into the body of a person, who becomes immune to the infectious agent as a result

Hypertension

High blood pressure is when the pressure caused by the blood pushing against the inside walls of the main arteries is high.