Animal Reproduction, Development, and Digestion Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from chapters on Animal Reproduction and Development as well as the Digestive and Urinary Systems.

Asexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that does not involve the fusion of gametes or change in the number of chromosomes. The offspring is genetically identical to the parent.

Sexual Reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes, resulting in offspring with genetic variation.

Gametes

Mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.

Fertilization

The union of sperm and egg.

Zygote

The diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum.

External Fertilization

The union of sperm and egg outside the body.

Internal Fertilization

The union of sperm and egg inside the body.

Gonads

The primary reproductive organs; testes in males and ovaries in females.

Germ Cells

Cells that produce gametes.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Traits that distinguish the two sexes of a species, but are not directly part of the reproductive system.

Semen

The fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated from the penis.

Ejaculation

The expulsion of semen from the penis.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm production.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce egg cells and hormones.

Uterine or Fallopian Tubes

Tubes that transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus.

Uterus

The womb; the organ in which offspring develop.

Endometrium

The inner lining of the uterus.

Cervix

The lower, narrow part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Vagina

The female reproductive canal.

Breast

Milk-secreting gland of female mammals.

Ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovary.

Oogenesis

The process of egg production.

Pre-Embryonic Stage

The stage of development from fertilization to implantation.

Placenta

The organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to the developing fetus and removes waste products.

Implantation

The attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall.

Digestive System

The organ system that breaks down food to obtain energy and raw materials.

Autotroph

An organism that produces its own food.

Heterotroph

An organism that obtains its food from other organisms.

Nutrients

Substances that provide nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Micronutrients

Nutrients required in small amounts: vitamins and minerals.

Calories

A unit of energy.

BMI

Body Mass Index; a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.

Bulimia

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging.

Herbivores

Animals that eat plants.

Carnivores

Animals that eat other animals.

Detritivores

An animal that feeds on dead organic material.

Omnivores

Animals that eat both plants and animals.

Feces

Solid waste eliminated from the digestive tract.

Peristalsis

The involuntary constriction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine or another canal, creating wave-like movements that push the contents of the canal forward.

Sphincters

A ring of muscle surrounding and serving to contract or close a duct or opening.

Pharynx

The membrane-lined cavity behind the nose and mouth, connecting them to the esophagus.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which depresses during swallowing to cover the opening of the trachea.

Esophagus

The part of the alimentary canal that connects the throat to the stomach.

Stomach

The internal organ in which the major part of the digestion of food occurs, being (in humans and many mammals) a pear-shaped enlargement of the alimentary canal linking the esophagus to the small intestine.

Gastric Juice

A thin, clear, virtually colorless acidic fluid secreted by the stomach glands and active in promoting digestion.

Pepsin

The chief digestive enzyme in the stomach, which breaks down proteins into polypeptides.

Chyme

The pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to the small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food.

Villi

Minute finger-like projections of the mucous membrane lining the small intestine.

Microvilli

Microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase the surface area for diffusion and minimize any increase in volume, and are involved in a wide variety of functions, including absorption, secretion, cellular adhesion, and mechanotransduction.