Unit 3 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards from lecture notes on respiration and circulation

Respiration

The process of gas exchange between an organism and its environment.

Cellular respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose to release energy.

Ventilation

The process of moving air in and out of the lungs; also known as breathing.

Gas exchange

The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood.

Upper respiratory tract

The part of the respiratory system that includes the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

Lower respiratory tract

The part of the respiratory system that includes the trachea, bronchi, and lungs.

Pharynx

The throat; a passageway for air and food.

Larynx

The voice box; contains the vocal cords.

Trachea

The windpipe; a tube that carries air to the lungs.

Epiglottis

A flap of tissue that covers the trachea when swallowing to prevent food from entering the lungs.

Bronchi

The two main branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs.

Bronchioles

Small branches of the bronchi that lead to the alveoli.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Thorax

The chest cavity, which contains the lungs and heart.

Pleura

A membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity.

Cilia

Hair-like structures that line the respiratory tract and help to remove mucus and debris.

Diaphragm

A large, flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing.

Epithelium

A layer of cells that lines the respiratory tract and other body surfaces.

Pulmonary capillaries

Tiny blood vessels that surround the alveoli and allow for gas exchange.

Atrium

An upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the body or lungs.

Ventricle

A lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the body or lungs.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Arterioles

Small arteries that regulate blood flow to capillaries.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

Venules

Small veins that collect blood from capillaries.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels that allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste between the blood and the body's tissues.

Pulmonary circulation

The circulation of blood between the heart and the lungs.

Systemic circulation

The circulation of blood between the heart and the rest of the body.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood, which contains water, proteins, and other substances.

Red blood cell

A type of blood cell that carries oxygen to the body's tissues; also known as an erythrocyte.

White blood cell

A type of blood cell that helps fight infection; also known as a leukocyte.

Platelet

A small, disc-shaped fragment of a cell that helps with blood clotting; also known as a thrombocyte.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall.

Myocardium

The middle layer of the heart wall, made of muscle tissue.

Pericardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall.

Tricuspid valve

A valve in the heart that controls blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Mitral valve

A valve in the heart that controls blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle; also known as the bicuspid valve.

Pulmonary valve

A valve in the heart that controls blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

Aortic valve

A valve in the heart that controls blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.

Cardiac cycle

The sequence of events that occurs during one complete heartbeat.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and fills with blood.

Pacemaker

A cluster of cells in the heart that controls the heart rate.

Blood pressure

The force of blood against the walls of the arteries.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels.

Erythrocyte

A red blood cell; also known as an erythrocyte.

Leukocyte

A white blood cell; also known as a leukocyte.

Thrombocyte

A platelet; also known as a thrombocyte.

Fibrin

A thread-like protein that forms a mesh to help clot blood.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response in the body.

Antibody

A protein produced by the body to fight off antigens.

Coagulation

The process by which blood clots to stop bleeding.

Stem cells

Cells that can differentiate into other types of cells, such as blood cells.