Vertebrates II: Fetal Pig Dissection - Circulatory, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems

These flashcards are designed to help students remember key vocabulary and concepts related to the circulatory, urinary, and reproductive systems as studied in fetal pig dissections.

Circulatory System

The system responsible for transporting materials throughout an animal's body in blood.

Blood

Fluid that circulates in the closed system of vessels, distinct from interstitial fluid.

Components of Blood

Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which together transport various substances throughout the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart.

Capillaries

Thin-walled blood vessels where exchange of materials occurs between blood and tissues.

Pulmonary Circulation

The circuit that pumps blood to the lungs for oxygenation.

Systemic Circulation

The circuit that pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

Four-Chambered Heart

A heart structure in birds and mammals that separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart (left and right) that receive blood from the body or lungs.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart (left and right) that pump blood out to the lungs or the rest of the body.

Heart Valves

Flaps of tissue that ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart, preventing backflow.

Vena Cava

The large veins (anterior and posterior) that receive blood from the body and deliver it to the right atrium.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, distributing oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.

Renal System

System responsible for the elimination of physiological waste through urine.

Kidneys

Paired organs in the renal system responsible for filtering blood, removing waste, and producing urine.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Ureters

Tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urinary Bladder

A muscular sac that temporarily stores urine.

Urethra

A tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Reproductive System

The system responsible for producing gametes and facilitating reproduction.

Plasma

The liquid matrix of blood, composed of water, salts, plasma proteins, glucose, fatty acids, hormones, vitamins, and waste products; it's essential for transporting substances and maintaining fluid balance.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Blood cells containing hemoglobin that transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carry carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

Cells of the immune system that protect the body against infectious disease and foreign invaders.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Small, anucleated cell fragments in blood that play a crucial role in blood clotting.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Often called the natural pacemaker of the heart, it's a specialized group of cells in the right atrium that generates electrical impulses, setting the rate of the heart beat.

Tricuspid Valve

A heart valve located between the right atrium and the right ventricle, preventing backflow of blood into the right atrium during ventricular contraction.

Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve

A heart valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, preventing backflow of blood into the left atrium during ventricular contraction.

Glomerulus

A tuft of capillaries located within Bowman's capsule, serving as the primary site for blood filtration in the kidney.

Bowman's Capsule

A cup-shaped sac at the beginning of the tubular component of a nephron, which envelops the glomerulus and collects the filtered fluid.

Urine Formation Processes

Involves three main steps: glomerular filtration (filtering blood), tubular reabsorption (reclaiming useful substances), and tubular secretion (removing additional wastes).

Testes

The primary male reproductive organs, responsible for producing sperm and male hormones like testosterone.

Ovaries

The primary female reproductive organs, responsible for producing eggs (ova) and female hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm production in the male testes.

Oogenesis

The process of egg (ovum) production in the female ovaries.

Portal System

A part of the circulatory system where blood flows through two consecutive capillary beds before returning to the heart. The hepatic portal system is a key example, transporting nutrient-rich, deoxygenated blood from digestive organ capillaries to liver capillaries.