Animal Tissues and Organ Systems as well as Circulatory and Digestive Systems

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to animal tissues, organ systems, the circulatory system, and the digestive system.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of body parts.

Physiology

The study of how body parts function.

Tissue

Groups of similar cells working together.

Organ

Made of multiple tissue types working together for a specific function.

Organ Systems

Consist of multiple organs working together to carry out vital body functions.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers surfaces; protects, absorbs, and secretes (e.g., skin, lining of the gut).

Connective Tissue

Supports and binds other tissues (e.g., bone, blood, cartilage).

Muscle Tissue

Contracts to cause movement (e.g., skeletal muscle, heart muscle).

Nervous Tissue

Transmits electrical signals (e.g., brain, spinal cord, nerves).

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.

Negative Feedback

Reverses a change to restore balance.

Positive Feedback

Amplifies a change.

Circulatory System

Delivers nutrients and removes wastes throughout the body.

Open Circulatory System

Blood is not always in vessels; it flows into open spaces (e.g., insects).

Closed Circulatory System

Blood stays within vessels at all times (e.g., vertebrates).

Plasma

The component of blood that carries water, nutrients, hormones, and waste.

Red Blood Cells

Transport oxygen using hemoglobin.

White Blood Cells

Fight infection and support immunity.

Platelets

Help blood clot to stop bleeding.

Digestive System

Derives nutrients from food.

Intrinsic Digestion

Digestion occurring inside cells (e.g., sponges).

Extracellular Digestion

Digestion occurring outside cells in a digestive cavity (e.g., humans).

Peristalsis

Involuntary muscular contractions that push food through the digestive tract.

Loose connective

cushions and connects (e.g., under skin).

Dense connective

strong connections (e.g., tendons, ligaments)

Adipose

stores fat for insulation and energy.

Cartilage

flexible support (e.g., nose, ears)

Bone tissue

rigid support and structure.

Blood tissue

transports oxygen, nutrients, waste.

• Plasma

• Red blood cells (erythrocytes)

• White blood cells (leukocytes)

• Platelets (thrombocytes)

List each component of blood

Arteries

carry blood away from the heart

Arterioles

are smaller branches of arteries

Capillaries

thin vessels where gas/nutrient exchange occurs

Venules

collect blood from capillaries

Veins

return blood to the heart

Prevent backflow of blood; ensure one-way flow

what are the Function of heart valves

Alveoli in lungs → pulmonary vein → left atrium → left ventricle → aorta → arteries → arterioles → capillaries in finger → enters body cell for respiration

Pathway of an oxygen molecule

Arteries

thick walls, high pressure, no valves

Veins

thinner walls, low pressure, have valves

Capillaries

one-cell thick, allow exchange

Arteries are closest to the heart’s pumping action and experience the greatest force; pressure drops as blood moves through smaller vessels and into veins.

Why is blood pressure highest in arteries and lowest in veins?

• To obtain energy for cellular processes

• To get essential nutrients for growth, repair, and maintenance

State two reasons animals must eat

body size, activity level, and temp

3 factors that affect an animal’s metabolic rate

Chewing and churning break food into smaller pieces, increasing surface area for enzymes to act faster and more efficiently

How does mechanical breakdown speeds chemical digestion

Herbivore

eats only plants (e.g., cow)

Carnivore

eats only meat (e.g., lion)

Detritivore

eats decomposing matter (e.g., earthworm)

Omnivore

eats both plants and animals (e.g., human)

Intracellular

digestion occurs inside cells (e.g., sponges)

Extracellular

digestion occurs outside cells in a digestive cavity (e.g., humans)

Involuntary muscular contractions that push food through the digestive tract

what is the Importance of peristalsis

Saliva

moistens food, begins carbohydrate digestion (amylase)

Teeth

mechanically break down food

Tongue

helps position food for chewing and swallowing

Mouth → Pharynx → Esophagus → Stomach → Small Intestine → Large Intestine → Rectum → Anus

Pathway of food from mouth to anus

Pancreas

produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid

Liver

produces bile to break down fats

Gallbladder

stores and releases bile