Body Systems Vocabulary

Atom

the basic building block for all matter in the universe

Molecule

two or more atoms that are chemically bonded

Proteins

made up of molecules called amino acids - Amino acids consist of atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, & sometimes sulfur. Each protein has its own sequence of amino acids.

Organelles

a structure that performs a distinctive function inside a cell

Cell

the basic unit of life- the smallest, basic unit of life that is responsible for all of life’s structural & functional processes.

Tissue

groups of cells that work together to do a job in the body

Organ

a collection of tissues that structurally form a unit specialized to perform a particular function - Your heart, kidneys, & lungs are examples of organs.

Organ System

a group of organs that work together in the body to perform a complex function, such as pumping blood or processing & utilizing nutrients - Many scientists divide the body into 11 separate organ systems; muscular, skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary, endocrine, nervous, integumentary, reproductive, & immune.

Organism

a living thing

Circulatory

Transports nutrients & gasses throughout the body. Ex: heart, veins, capillaries, arteries, arterioles

Digestive

Breaks down food to supply the rest of the body with nutrients thru blood. Ex: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus

Nervous

Controls. EX: brain, spinal cord, nerves

Respiratory

gas exchange. EX: Nose, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, alveoli

Immune

Defends against foreign invaders. EX: Various physical, chemical, & biological barriers or active defensive mechanisms

Muscular

Provide movement: skeletal, cardiac, smooth

Skeletal

Provide framework for body and protect vital organs. EX: Clavice, femur, humerus, phalanges, skull, spine

Integumentary

Protection. EX: skin, hair nails, horns

Endocrine

Hormone production to regulate body systems. EX: Pancreas, adrenal glands, thyroid

Excretory

Excretion of waste products Ex: Bladder, kidney, ureter

Reproductive

reproduction EX: ovaries, testicles, uterus

Homeostasis

A self-regulating process by which a living organism can maintain internal stability while adjusting to or changing external conditions — it is when your body is in balance.

Arteries

vessels that carry blood AWAY from the heart to the rest of the body.

Veins

vessels that carry deoxygenated blood BACK TO the heart

Pulmonary Arteries

only arteries in your body that carry deoxygenated blood.

Blood

the fluid that carries gases, nutrients, & wastes through the body

Capillaries

• the smallest blood vessels: 1 cell thick

• They connect arteries and veins

• Oxygen, nutrients, & waste move easily through these walls to allow for flow in & out of the vessel.

Four

The heart is split into how many sections?

Trachea

• Also known as the windpipe

• A large tube that splits into 2 branches called bronchi

Bronchi

• Each bronchus branches into smaller tubes called bronchioles

• One bronchi connects to each lung.

Bronchioles

branch into alveoli