Regulation and Reproduction

lymphatic system

A system in the body that acts as a drainage system collecting and transporting lymph throughout the body.

lymph

Fluid carrying wastes, immune cells, proteins, and excess tissue.

tonsils and adenoids

Contains cells to help protect against respiratory and oral infections.

thymus

Develops specific types of white blood cells.

lymph nodes

Contain immune cells and filter lymph.

peyer’s patch

Contains immune cells and monitors the gut for pathogens.

appendix

Contains immune cells.

bone marrow

Production site of all blood cells, including B and T cells.

spleen

Acts as a blood filter and stores immune cells.

gametes

Mature haploid male or female cells that unite to form a zygote.

testicle

Produces sperm and secretes testosterone.

epididymis

Stores sperm, located on the surface of each testicle.

vas deferens

A muscular tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

seminal vesicles

Glands that produce seminal fluid nourishing and supporting sperm.

prostate

Gland producing prostate-specific antigen and fluid regulating pH.

penis

External male reproductive organ.

ovary

Produces eggs for fertilization and secretes estrogen and progesterone.

fallopian tubes

Site of fertilization, slender tubes connecting ovaries to uterus.

uterus

Muscular organ that provides a nourishing environment for an egg to develop.

cervix

Lower, narrow portion of the uterus.

fimbriae

Entrance to fallopian tube.

vagina

Muscular canal connecting the cervix to the external body.

innate immunity

Immediate defenses against pathogens, relying on physiological barriers.

adaptive immunity

More specific immune responses that develop over time, often enhanced by vaccines.

phagocytosis

Ingestion of cells or materials by certain immune cells.

natural killer cells

Cells that kill tumor cells and infected cells using enzymes.

macrophages

Cells that protect the body’s tissues through phagocytosis.

neutrophils

White blood cells that circulate in the blood and attack bacterial infections.

basophils

White blood cells that respond to allergies and cancer, releasing histamines.

eosinophils

White blood cells that respond to parasitic infections.

specific immune response

Highly specialized immune response targeting specific pathogens through antibodies.

B-cells

White blood cells that identify antigens and trigger antibody production.

T-cells

White blood cells that kill infected cells and coordinate immune responses.

memory cells

B and T cells that remember specific pathogens for faster response upon re-exposure.

fertilization

The process of combining a sperm cell with an egg cell to create a zygote.

zygote

A diploid cell formed from the fusion of two haploid gametes.

gestation

The period of time between conception and birth.

lymphatic system

A system in the body that acts as a drainage system collecting and transporting lymph throughout the body.

lymph

Fluid carrying wastes, immune cells, proteins, and excess tissue.

tonsils and adenoids

Contains cells to help protect against respiratory and oral infections.

thymus

Develops specific types of white blood cells.

lymph nodes

Contain immune cells and filter lymph.

peyer’s patch

Contains immune cells and monitors the gut for pathogens.

appendix

Contains immune cells.

bone marrow

Production site of all blood cells, including B and T cells.

spleen

Acts as a blood filter and stores immune cells.

gametes

Mature haploid male or female cells that unite to form a zygote.

testicle

Produces sperm and secretes testosterone.

epididymis

Stores sperm, located on the surface of each testicle.

vas deferens

A muscular tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.

seminal vesicles

Glands that produce seminal fluid nourishing and supporting sperm.

prostate

Gland producing prostate-specific antigen and fluid regulating pH.

penis

External male reproductive organ.

ovary

Produces eggs for fertilization and secretes estrogen and progesterone.

fallopian tubes

Site of fertilization, slender tubes connecting ovaries to uterus.

uterus

Muscular organ that provides a nourishing environment for an egg to develop.

cervix

Lower, narrow portion of the uterus.

fimbriae

Entrance to fallopian tube.

vagina

Muscular canal connecting the cervix to the external body.

innate immunity

Immediate defenses against pathogens, relying on physiological barriers.

adaptive immunity

More specific immune responses that develop over time, often enhanced by vaccines.

phagocytosis

Ingestion of cells or materials by certain immune cells.

natural killer cells

Cells that kill tumor cells and infected cells using enzymes.

macrophages

Cells that protect the body’s tissues through phagocytosis.

neutrophils

White blood cells that circulate in the blood and attack bacterial infections.

basophils

White blood cells that respond to allergies and cancer, releasing histamines.

eosinophils

White blood cells that respond to parasitic infections.

specific immune response

Highly specialized immune response targeting specific pathogens through antibodies.

B-cells

White blood cells that identify antigens and trigger antibody production.

T-cells

White blood cells that kill infected cells and coordinate immune responses.

memory cells

B and T cells that remember specific pathogens for faster response upon re-exposure.

fertilization

The process of combining a sperm cell with an egg cell to create a zygote.

zygote

A diploid cell formed from the fusion of two haploid gametes.

gestation

The period of time between conception and birth.

interstitial fluid

Fluid that carries waste and sometimes pathogen.

lysozyme

Germ-killing protein found in body fluid

IgM

The first antibody secreted during primary exposure

IgA

Antibody that protects mucosal barriers by preventing attachment of pathogens

IgE

Antibody that activates mast cells and basophils to produce histamines and mediates inflammation.

antibody

A protein produced by plasma cells and secreted by B cells. They bind to pathogens, marking them for destruction and neutralizing them.

antigen

A molecule or fragment of a molecule, such as a protein or polysaccharide, to which an antibody binds.

gonads

Reproductive organs in animals

neurons

The basic structural and functional units of the nervous system that transmit electrical and chemical signals.

nerve impulse

The transmission of signals along neurons, enabling rapid communication throughout the body.