Anatomy & Physiology Circulatory and Digestive Systems Review

These flashcards cover key concepts and details from the anatomy and physiology lecture notes focusing on the circulatory and digestive systems, making it easier to review and study for the exam.

What is the primary function of the mammalian circulatory system?

To transport nutrients, waste, and heat throughout the body.

What is the heaviest muscle in the heart?

Myocardium.

What are the two types of chambers in the heart?

Atria and ventricles.

Where does the right atrium receive blood from?

From the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae.

What does the left atrium receive blood from?

From the lungs via the pulmonary veins.

What is the role of the right ventricle?

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.

What is the function of the left ventricle?

Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.

What is the role of the tricuspid valve?

Prevents backflow from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

What is the pulmonary valve's function?

Prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle.

What is the aortic valve's function?

Prevents backflow into the left ventricle after contraction.

What type of blood do pulmonary arteries carry?

Deoxygenated blood.

What type of blood do pulmonary veins carry?

Oxygenated blood.

What is the superior vena cava?

A large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

What is the inferior vena cava?

A large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

What are coronary arteries responsible for?

Supplying blood to the heart muscle.

What is the myocardium?

The muscle layer of the heart.

What is the pericardium?

The fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart.

What occurs at the capillaries?

Exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste between blood and tissues.

Where does gas exchange primarily occur in the lungs?

In the alveoli.

What is an action potential in the heart?

An electrical signal that triggers heart muscle contractions.

What is the function of the SA node?

Acts as the heart's natural pacemaker.

What is the function of the AV node?

Relays signals from the SA node to the ventricles.

What is blood pressure measured in?

Millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

What does systolic pressure represent?

Pressure in the arteries during heartbeats.

What does diastolic pressure represent?

Pressure in the arteries while the heart is resting between beats.

What factors can affect blood pressure?

Genetic factors, diet, physical activity, weight, stress, and substance use.

What is the primary process for material exchange at capillaries?

Diffusion.

What gas do body cells use in cellular respiration?

Oxygen.

How do cells produce carbon dioxide?

Through the process of metabolism.

What components make up blood? (4)

Plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

What is the function of plasma proteins?

Transport substances and maintain osmotic pressure.

What are erythrocytes responsible for?

Transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What is the primary function of leukocytes?

Defense against infections and foreign invaders.

What is the role of platelets?

Contribute to blood clotting and hemostasis.

What hormone stimulates red blood cell production?

Erythropoietin (EPO).

What is peristalsis?

Wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive system.

What initiates the swallowing reflex?

The coordinated action of the tongue and throat muscles.

What are the accessory organs in digestion?

Liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

What does the pancreas produce?

Digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin and glucagon.

What is bile's function?

Aids in breaking down of fats.

What is emulsification?

The process of breaking down fats into smaller droplets for digestion.

What does the rectum do?

Stores feces temporarily before elimination.

What is the primary role of the kidneys?

Filter blood and produce urine.

What are the main functions of the excretory system?

Filter blood, remove metabolic waste, maintain blood pH, and regulate electrolyte levels.

What is the difference between filtration and reabsorption?

Filtration is the process of separating wastes from blood, while reabsorption recovers essential substances back into the blood.

What is hemoglobin's role?

Binds to oxygen and carbon dioxide for transport in red blood cells.

What hormone regulates blood pressure from the kidneys?

Renin.

How do kidneys contribute to maintaining homeostasis?

By regulating fluids, electrolytes, and waste products in the blood.

What do the ovaries produce?

Eggs and hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone.

What happens during ovulation?

A mature egg is released from an ovarian follicle.

What does luteinizing hormone (LH) do? (females)

Triggers ovulation and stimulates production of sex hormones.

What occurs during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

Follicles mature and estrogen levels rise.

What is menopause?

The cessation of menstruation and ovarian function typically occurring between ages 45-55.

What is spermatogenesis?

The process of sperm cell development in the testes.

What are the main differences between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?

Spermatogenesis produces millions of sperm daily, while oogenesis produces one mature ovum monthly.

What is the function of the prostate gland?

Produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

What is the function of Bartholin's gland?

Secretes fluid to lubricate the vagina.

What hormones help regulate the menstrual cycle?

Estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH):.

What causes the growth of the endometrium?

Rising estrogen levels during the follicular phase.

What is the role of inhibin in male reproduction?

Suppresses FSH production to regulate sperm production.

What is the relationship between the circulatory and digestive systems?

The circulatory system transports nutrients absorbed from digestion throughout the body.

What is the difference between oogenesis and spermatogenesis?

Oogenesis produces one mature ovum; spermatogenesis produces multiple sperm.

What is the digestive tract?

The digestive tract is a series of hollow organs that food passes through, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

What is the function of the esophagus?

The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat (pharynx) with the stomach, primarily responsible for transporting food through peristaltic movements.

What are the main functions of the stomach?

The stomach mixes food with digestive juices, breaks it down into a semi-liquid form, and initiates protein digestion through hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes.

What role does the small intestine play in digestion?

The small intestine is where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs, with its three parts (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) playing specific roles in breaking down food.

What is the function of the large intestine?

The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food matter, compacts waste into feces, and stores it until excretion.

Explain the role of the pancreas in digestion.

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are secreted into the small intestine to aid in breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

What is the function of the liver in the digestive system?

The liver produces bile, which helps emulsify fats for digestion and absorption, and processes nutrients absorbed from the small intestine.

How does the gallbladder assist in digestion?

The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver, releasing it into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats.

What are the accessory organs of the digestive system?

The accessory organs include the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, which play key roles in digestion but are not part of the digestive tract itself.

What is peristalsis?

Peristalsis is the wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract, facilitating the process of digestion and absorption.

What are the primary male reproductive organs?

The primary male reproductive organs are the testes, which produce sperm and testosterone.

What is the function of the testes?

The testes are responsible for the production of sperm (spermatogenesis) and the secretion of hormones, primarily testosterone.

What role do the epididymis play in male reproduction?

The epididymis stores and matures sperm produced in the testes, providing an environment for them to gain motility and fertilization capability.

What is the function of the vas deferens?

The vas deferens is a muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct during ejaculation.

What is the role of the seminal vesicles?

The seminal vesicles produce a fluid that nourishes sperm and helps form semen, contributing to about 60% of the total volume of semen.

What do the prostate gland and bulbourethral glands do?

The prostate gland secretes a fluid that helps protect and energize sperm in semen, while the bulbourethral glands produce a pre-ejaculatory fluid that lubricates the urethra.

What is the function of the penis in male reproduction?

The penis serves as the external organ for sexual intercourse, delivering sperm into the female reproductive tract during ejaculation.

What are the different regions of the penis?

The penis consists of three main parts: the root, the body (shaft), and the glans (tip), each playing a role during sexual arousal and intercourse.

What is spermatogenesis?

Spermatogenesis is the process of sperm production, occurring in the testes, involving the division and maturation of germ cells.

What hormones are involved in male reproduction?

Key hormones involved in male reproduction include testosterone (produced by the testes) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both produced by the pituitary gland.

What is the role of testosterone in the male reproductive system? (2-3)

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, sperm production, libido, and overall reproductive health.

How does luteinizing hormone (LH) function in the male reproductive system?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone, which is crucial for spermatogenesis and the maintenance of male reproductive functions.

What is the function of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in males?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the Sertoli cells in the testes, promoting sperm maturation and the production of inhibin, a hormone that helps regulate sperm production.

What is the role of inhibin in the male reproductive system?

Inhibin is produced by Sertoli cells and serves to inhibit the secretion of FSH from the pituitary gland, thus regulating sperm production by providing feedback control.

How do gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and the pituitary gland interact in male reproduction?

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release LH and FSH, which are essential for testosterone production and sperm maturation, respectively.

What is the impact of estrogen on males?

Though primarily a female hormone, estrogen is present in males and plays a role in modulating libido, erectile function, and spermatogenesis, contributing to overall reproductive health.

What are the primary female reproductive organs?

The primary female reproductive organs are the ovaries, fallopian tubes (oviduct), uterus, and vagina, which work together for reproduction.

What is the function of the ovaries?

The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and secrete hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle and reproductive functions.

What role do the fallopian tubes play in reproduction?

The fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and are the site where fertilization commonly occurs when sperm meet the egg.

What is the function of the uterus?

The uterus nurtures the developing fetus during pregnancy and sheds its lining during menstruation if fertilization does not occur.

What is the cervix and its role in the female reproductive system?

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina; it acts as a passageway for sperm to enter the uterus and for menstrual fluid to exit.

What is the function of the vagina?

The vagina serves as the birth canal during delivery, the passage for menstrual fluid, and the receptacle for the penis during intercourse, facilitating the entry of sperm.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is a monthly process involving the preparation of the uterus for possible pregnancy, characterized by hormonal changes, ovulation, and menstruation if fertilization does not occur.

What roles do estrogen and progesterone play in the female reproductive system?

Estrogen is responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and regulation of the menstrual cycle, while progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy and maintains it if fertilization occurs.

What is ovulation?

Ovulation is the process by which a mature egg is released from the ovaries, typically occurring midway through the menstrual cycle, making it available for fertilization.

What is the role of the placenta during pregnancy?

The placenta connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall, providing oxygen and nutrients while removing waste products through the mother's blood supply.

What is the hormone cycle in women?

The hormone cycle in women, also known as the menstrual cycle, involves fluctuating levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which regulate ovulation and menstruation.

What role does gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) play in the female hormone cycle?

GnRH is released by the hypothalamus and stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are crucial for controlling the menstrual cycle and ovulation.