Animal Structure

Diffusion

Movement of substances from where there’s more to less.

Diffusion Gradient

The difference in concentration that makes diffusion happen.

Inhalation

Breathing in; lungs fill with air as the diaphragm moves down.

Exhalation

Breathing out; air leaves as the diaphragm moves up.

Coronary

Related to the heart’s blood vessels (e.g., coronary arteries).

Cardiac

Anything to do with the heart (e.g., cardiac muscles).

Ulcer

A sore, often caused by stomach acid.

Asthma

Narrowed airways making it hard to breathe.

Constipation

When stool becomes hard or slow to pass.

Digestive System

A complex system that processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Chyme

A semi-liquid substance formed in the stomach after mixing food with gastric juices.

Villi

Small, finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for absorption.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen for transport.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Cardiac cycle

The sequence of events that occur during one heartbeat.

Pulmonary arteries

Arteries that transport oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.

Sphincter muscles

Muscles that control the expulsion of feces from the anus.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product produced by cellular metabolism, transported from tissues to lungs.

Nutrient absorption

The process by which nutrients are taken from the digestive system into the bloodstream.

Waste management

The process of transporting waste products to the kidneys for filtration.

Gaseous exchange

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

Respiratory acidosis

A condition caused by high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Gas Exchange

The process where oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled in the lungs.

Bronchi

Large air passages that enter the lungs, branching from the trachea.

Trachea

The windpipe that connects the pharynx and larynx to the lungs.

Lungs

The primary organs of respiration, where gas exchange occurs.

Diaphragm

A muscle that contracts during inhalation to allow air into the lungs.

Oxygen Transport

The process by which oxygen is carried from the lungs to the body tissues by hemoglobin.

Respiratory System

The organ system responsible for gas exchange and breathing.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs.

Pneumonia

An infection that inflates air sacs in one or both lungs, causing difficulty breathing.

Emphysema

A chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath due to damaged alveoli.

Circulatory System

The system that circulates blood through the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients.

Acidosis

A condition resulting from excessive acidity in the body fluids.

Respiratory Rate

The number of breaths taken per minute.

Nasal Cavity

The space behind the nose that warms and moistens air before it reaches the lungs.

Cilia

Hair-like structures in the respiratory tract that help move mucus and trapped particles out.