Overview of Human Biology: Filtration, Circulation, and Respiratory Systems

Flashcards covering key concepts from human biology, including filtration, circulation, and respiratory systems.

Blood Vessels

Composed of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.

Heart Functions

Pumps oxygenated blood through systematic circulation; de-oxygenated blood returns via pulmonary circulation.

Inhalation

Active process where diaphragm contracts to lower pressure in lungs, causing air inflow.

Exhalation

Passive process where diaphragm relaxes, increasing pressure in lungs, forcing air out.

Gas Exchange

Driven by concentration gradients of O₂ and CO₂ between alveoli and blood.

Pneumonia

Respiratory disorder causing fluid in alveoli, hindering gas exchange.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of airways leading to mucus production.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Condition characterized by the formation of scar tissue, reducing lung elasticity.

Emphysema

Destruction of alveoli resulting in reduced surface area for gas exchange.

Asthma

Condition leading to airway constriction and breathing difficulties.

Kidney Function

Monitor and filter blood, adjusting its content and removing wastes.

Nephron

Main unit for filtration in the kidney, consisting of glomerular capillaries and tubular structures.

Filtration Steps

Includes filtration, reabsorption, and secretion processes in nephrons.

Kidney Stones

Painful blocks formed from urine components.

Dialysis

Blood filtration method outside the body, essential for patients with kidney failure.

Pulmonary Circulation

Carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood.

Systemic Circulation

Distributes oxygenated blood from the heart to body tissues and returns deoxygenated blood.

Cellular respiration

Process that uses O₂ to generate ATP while producing CO₂ as waste.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers body surfaces and is involved in absorption and secretion.

Connective Tissue

Supports and protects body organs, including various types (loose, dense).

Muscle Tissue

Involved in movement, existing in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth types.

Nervous Tissue

Transmits signals in the body, consisting of neurons and glial cells.

Mutation

A change in the sequence or structure of a gene.

Telomeres

Repeated DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from shortening.