K103 Lab and Human Physiology Vocabulary Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and terms related to the K103 Human Physiology lab, providing essential definitions and concepts that will help in understanding body functions and laboratory procedures.

Pulmonary ventilation

Movement of gases between the lungs and the environment.

Pulmonary gas exchange

Movement of gases between the lungs and the bloodstream.

Gas transport

Movement of gases within the bloodstream.

Tissue/blood gas exchange

Movement of gases between the bloodstream and tissues.

Cellular respiration

Utilization of oxygen and production of carbon dioxide by cells.

Alveoli

Small membranous air sacs where gas exchange occurs.

Vital capacity

Maximum amount of air that can be moved through the lungs.

Tidal volume

Volume of air exchanged per respiratory cycle.

Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV)

Volume of air that can be inhaled above tidal volume.

Expiratory reserve volume (ERV)

Volume of air that can be exhaled after tidal volume.

Residual volume

Volume of air remaining in the lungs after maximal expiration.

Functional residual capacity (FRC)

Volume at the end of a normal expiration.

Total lung capacity (TLC)

Sum of all lung volumes.

Inspiration

Process of inhaling air into the lungs.

Expiration

Process of exhaling air from the lungs.

Residual volume (RV)

Air that cannot be exhaled.

Electromyogram (EMG)

Record of electrical activity in muscle.

Phagocytes

Cells that engulf and digest pathogens.

Skeletal muscle

Striated muscle responsible for voluntary movements.

Cardiac muscle

Striated muscle found in the heart.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle found in walls of organs.

Antigen

Substance that induces an immune response.

Antibody

Protein produced by B cells that binds to antigens.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

Heart rate

Number of heartbeats per minute.

Blood pressure

Force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)

Cyclic change in heart rate correlated with breathing.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger that transmits signals across synapses.

Cerebrum

Largest part of the brain associated with higher brain functions.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that regulates motor control.

Hypothalamus

Region of the brain responsible for hormone release and regulating homeostasis.

Neurons

Cells of the nervous system that transmit information.

Myocyte

Muscle cell.

Synapse

Junction between neurons.

Reflex arc

Pathway that mediates a reflex action.

Interneuron

Neuron that relays signals between sensory and motor neurons.

Somatic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic nervous system

Part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions.

Sympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for stress.

Parasympathetic nervous system

Division of the autonomic nervous system that restores the body to rest.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

Pulse

Wave of blood pressure changes in arteries following each heartbeat.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin.

Dermis

Inner layer of skin containing blood vessels and nerves.

Hair follicle

Structure from which hair grows.

Meissner's corpuscles

Touch receptors located in the upper dermis.

Pacinian corpuscles

Pressure receptors located deeper in the dermis.

Hyperventilation

Increased respiratory rate leading to decreased carbon dioxide levels.

Hypoventilation

Decreased respiratory rate leading to increased carbon dioxide levels.

Medulla oblongata

Part of the brain that controls automatic functions including breathing.

Olfactory bulb

Brain structure involved in the sense of smell.

Optic nerve

Nerve that transmits visual information from the retina.

Fovea centralis

Area of the retina responsible for sharp central vision.

Macula

Part of the retina that is responsible for central vision.

Choroid layer

Layer of the eye containing blood vessels.

Ciliary body

Structure in the eye that induces lens shape change for focus.

Aqueous humor

Fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Vitreous humor

Gel-like substance filling the eye.

Tympanic membrane

Also known as the eardrum; vibrates in response to sound waves.

Cochlea

Spiral-shaped structure in the inner ear responsible for hearing.

Vestibule

Part of the inner ear involved in balance.

Semicircular canals

Fluid-filled structures in the inner ear that help maintain balance.

Hair cells

Sensory receptors in the inner ear that convert sound waves into electrical signals.

Regeneration

The process by which organisms replace damaged or lost body parts.

Atrophy

Decrease in muscle size due to lack of use.

Hypertrophy

Increase in muscle size due to increased activity.

Motor unit

Motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates.

Coronary artery

Blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Isometric contraction

Muscle contraction without movement.

Isotonic contraction

Muscle contraction with movement.

Pulse pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Diastolic pressure

The lowest pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest.

Systolic pressure

The highest pressure in the arteries during heart contraction.

Baroreceptor

Sensory receptor that detects changes in blood pressure.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Node that transmits electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

Bundle of His

Pathway that conducts impulses from the AV node to the ventricles.

Purkinje fibers

Fibers that distribute impulses throughout the ventricles to trigger contraction.

Dicrotic notch

Small dip in the arterial pressure wave that occurs after ventricular contraction.

Clonal selection

Process by which specific antibodies are produced in response to antigen exposure.

Macrophages

Large phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy pathogens.

Neutrophils

Most common type of white blood cell that responds to infection.

Monocytes

Type of white blood cell that differentiates into macrophages.

Natural killer (NK) cells

Type of lymphocyte that attacks tumor cells and infected cells.

Cytotoxic T cells

T cells that kill infected or cancerous cells.

Helper T cells

T cells that assist other immune cells.

Memory cells

Long-lived immune cells that can quickly respond to antigen exposure in the future.

Immunoglobulin

Antibody; large complex protein produced by B cells.

Vaccine

Substance that stimulates an immune response to confer immunity.

Allergy

Immune response to normally harmless substances.

Autoimmunity

Immune response against the body's own tissues.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Antigenic drift

Minor changes in the virus that occur over time.

Antigenic shift

Major changes in a virus that can lead to new strains.