Exam 4 Review VOCAB Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering respiratory, circulatory, digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems for Exam 4 review.

Respiratory system

Organ system responsible for gas exchange between the body and environment.

Larynx

Voice box; houses vocal cords and routes air to trachea.

Vocal cords

Folds of tissue in the larynx that vibrate to produce sound.

Epiglottis

Flap that prevents food or drink from entering the windpipe during swallowing.

Alveoli

Microscopic air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Red blood cell (erythrocyte)

Blood cell that transports oxygen using hemoglobin.

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen.

Iron (Fe)

Metal atom in hemoglobin essential for oxygen transport.

Copper (Cu)

Metal that replaces iron in the oxygen-binding proteins of some blue-blooded animals.

Cellular respiration

Biochemical process that uses oxygen to produce ATP (energy) in cells.

Amphibian breathing

Air forced into lungs from throat due to absence of diaphragm.

Fish respiration

Extraction of oxygen from water using gills.

Bird respiratory system

Lungs plus air sacs that provide one-way airflow for high metabolic demand.

Bicarbonate buffer system

Chemical equilibrium where CO₂ + H₂O ⇌ H₂CO₃ ⇌ H⁺ + HCO₃⁻, regulating blood pH.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; emphysema + chronic bronchitis, mainly from smoking.

Myoglobin

Oxygen-storing protein in muscle, abundant in diving mammals.

Vein

Blood vessel that returns blood to the heart; low pressure.

Artery

Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart; high pressure.

Capillary

Microscopic vessel where exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs.

Pulmonary circuit

Pathway of blood from heart to lungs and back for oxygenation.

Systemic circuit

Pathway delivering oxygenated blood from heart to body tissues.

ECG P wave

Electrical signal representing atrial contraction.

ECG QRS complex

Electrical signal representing ventricular contraction.

ECG T wave

Electrical signal showing ventricular reset (repolarization).

Plasma

Liquid matrix of blood in which cells are suspended.

Atherosclerosis

Hardening of arteries from plaque buildup in vessel walls.

LDL

‘Bad’ cholesterol carrier; transports cholesterol to tissues, can deposit in arteries.

HDL

‘Good’ cholesterol carrier; removes excess cholesterol from bloodstream.

Hypertension

Chronically high blood pressure.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Damage to heart muscle from blocked coronary artery.

Cardiac arrest

Sudden cessation of heart activity and circulation.

Stroke

Brain damage due to blocked or burst cerebral artery.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain from temporary heart muscle oxygen shortage.

Edema

Tissue swelling caused by accumulation of lymphatic fluid.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Group of heart and vessel disorders; leading U.S. cause of death.

Open circulatory system

Circulatory setup in arthropods where hemolymph bathes organs directly.

Fish heart

Two-chambered heart circulating blood in a single loop.

Amphibian/Reptile heart

Three-chambered heart with partial separation of oxygenated blood.

Mammal/Bird heart

Four-chambered heart fully separating oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

White blood cell (leukocyte)

Immune cell that defends against pathogens.

Platelet

Cell fragment that initiates blood clotting.

Bone marrow

Soft tissue in bones producing all blood cells from stem cells.

Lymphatic system

Network that returns excess tissue fluid to blood and filters pathogens.

Mouth

Digestive entry point; mechanical grinding and starch digestion.

Esophagus

Muscular tube transporting food from mouth to stomach.

Stomach

Digestive organ for protein breakdown via acid and enzymes.

Small intestine

Primary site of digestion and nutrient absorption; receives bile and pancreatic juice.

Large intestine

Organ that reabsorbs water and minerals, forms feces.

Bile

Liver-derived fluid that emulsifies fats for digestion.

Stomach acid (HCl)

Acid that denatures proteins and kills ingested microbes.

Gizzard

Muscular grinding organ in birds replacing chewing.

Cecum

Pouch enlarged in hindgut fermenters for microbial digestion of plant material.

Ruminant foregut fermentation

Multi-chambered stomach system enabling microbial breakdown of cellulose before the intestine.

Type 1 diabetes

Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells; requires insulin therapy.

Type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance often linked to genetics and lifestyle; adult onset.

Insulin

Pancreatic hormone that lowers blood glucose by promoting cellular uptake.

Glucagon

Pancreatic hormone that raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown.

Sleeve gastrectomy

Bariatric surgery removing a large portion of the stomach to reduce volume.

Gastric bypass

Bariatric surgery creating small stomach pouch and bypassing first part of small intestine.

Testes

Male gonads producing sperm and testosterone.

Seminal, bulbourethral, and prostate glands

Male accessory glands that produce components of semen.

Ovary

Female gonad producing eggs and hormones.

Uterine (fallopian) tube

Duct that transports egg from ovary to uterus; typical fertilization site.

Uterus

Muscular organ where embryo implants and develops.

Cervix

Narrow opening between uterus and vagina.

Vagina

Muscular canal for birth and sexual intercourse.

Ovulation

Mid-cycle release of a mature egg from the ovary.

Endometriosis

Condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus.

Parthenogenesis

Asexual reproduction where offspring develop from unfertilized eggs.

Perimenopause

Transitional phase leading up to menopause with hormonal changes.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation, defined after 12 consecutive months without a cycle.

Fertilization (conception)

Fusion of sperm and egg to form a zygote.

Gestation

Period of development from conception to birth (pregnancy).

Embryo

Developing human from fertilization to 8 weeks.

Fetus

Developing human from 8 weeks to birth.

First trimester

Pregnancy stage when most organs and structures form.

Second trimester

Pregnancy stage with rapid growth; fetal movements felt.

Third trimester

Final pregnancy stage; continued growth and preparation for birth.

Labor Stage 1

Onset of uterine contractions and cervical dilation.

Labor Stage 2

Childbirth—expulsion of the baby from the uterus.

Labor Stage 3

Delivery of the placenta after the baby.

Tubal ligation

Female surgical contraception by cutting or sealing uterine tubes.

Vasectomy

Male surgical contraception by cutting the vas deferens.