Exchange & Transport in Animals and Plants

These flashcards cover key concepts related to exchange and transport in animals and plants, particularly focusing on digestion, osmoregulation, and adaptations related to these processes.

Osmoregulation

The process by which organisms regulate the balance of water and solutes in their body.

Diffusion

The passive movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Chemical Digestion

The process of breaking down large molecules into smaller molecules using enzymes.

Intracellular Digestion

Digestion that occurs within the cells, typically using food vacuoles and digestive enzymes.

Extracellular Digestion

Digestion that occurs outside of cells, in a digestive system or cavity, often using enzymes secreted into that space.

Absorption

The process of taking up small nutrient molecules from the digestive tract into the blood.

Hydrolysis

The chemical process of breaking down polymers into monomers by the addition of water, often facilitated by digestive enzymes.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship between two organisms, where both benefit from the interaction.

Villi

Small, finger-like projections that line the intestines and increase the surface area for absorption.

Peristalsis

Waves of smooth muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem that affect organism survival and reproduction.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment in an organism.

Bioenergetics

The study of the energy flow through living systems.

Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in and on the human body and their contribution to health and disease.

Nutritional Modes

The various methods by which organisms acquire energy and nutrients, such as autotrophy and heterotrophy.

Metabolic Waste Products

Substances that are produced during metabolism and are typically excreted from the organism, such as nitrogenous wastes.

Excretion

The process of eliminating waste products from the body.

Chyme

The semi-fluid mass of partly digested food that is expelled by the stomach into the small intestine.

Gastric Juices

The acidic fluid secreted by the stomach that aids in digestion and contains enzymes like pepsin.

Alimentary Canal

The continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus, through which food passes and is digested.