Medical Science, Chapter 44: Internal Transport

blood (p. 939)

connective tissue consisting of cells and cell fragments dispersed in fluid, usually called plasma

open circulatory system (p. 939)

a type of circulatory system where blood is not always contained within vessels and bathes the organs directly in a hemolymph fluid

hemocoel (p. 939)

the primary body cavity in organisms with an open circulatory system, filled with hemolymph, allowing for direct exchange of nutrients and waste between blood and tissues

hemocyanin (p. 939)

a copper-containing protein found in the blood of some invertebrates, serving as an oxygen transport molecule

closed circulatory system (p. 939)

a type of circulatory system where blood is always contained within vessels, allowing for more efficient transport of nutrients and oxygen to tissues

hemoglobin (p. 940)

a protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen for transport throughout the body

plasma proteins: (p. 940)

fibrinogen, globulins, albumin

fibrinogen (p. 940)

a plasma protein that is essential for blood clotting

globulins (p. 940)

a group of plasma proteins involved in immune function, transport of lipids, and acting as enzymes

albumin (p. 940)

a major plasma protein that helps maintain osmotic pressure and transports substances such as hormones and drugs in the bloodstream

erythrocytes (p. 941)

red blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs

anemia (p. 941)

a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, leading to a reduced capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body's tissues

hemolytic anemias (p. 942)

a type of anemia characterized by the premature destruction of red blood cells, leading to a decrease in their numbers and, consequently, a reduction in the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity

leukocytes (p. 942)

white blood cells that are part of the immune system, helping to defend the body against infection and disease

granular leukocytes (p. 942)

a type of white blood cell characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm, involved in immune responses, including neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils

neutrophils (p. 942)

a type of granular leukocyte and a white blood cell that plays a key role in the immune response by attacking and destroying bacteria and fungi

eosinophils (p. 942)

a type of granular leukocyte that plays a key role in the immune response, particularly in combating parasitic infections and participating in allergic reactions

basophils (p. 942)

a type of granular leukocyte that plays a role in the immune response by releasing histamine and other chemicals during allergic reactions and inflammatory responses

histamine (p. 942)

a chemical released during allergic reactions and in response to injury, which contributes to inflammation and plays a role in immune responses

heparin (p. 942)

an anticoagulant substance produced by the body that helps prevent the formation of blood clots by inhibiting certain clotting factors

granular leukocytes (p. 942)

granular leukocytes are a type of white blood cell characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm, and they play a crucial role in immune responses

lymphocytes (p. 942)

a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system, responsible for adaptive immunity, including the production of antibodies and the destruction of infected or cancerous cells

monocytes (p. 942)

a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system, responsible for phagocytizing pathogens and cellular debris, and differentiating into macrophages and dendritic cells

macrophages (p. 942)

macrophages are a type of white blood cell that engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and foreign substances in the body, playing a crucial role in the immune response

dendritic cells (p. 942)

dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells that play a critical role in the immune system by processing and presenting antigens to T cells, thus initiating an adaptive immune response

leukemia (p.942)

a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells, which impairs the body's ability to produce normal blood cells and fight infections

thrombocytes (p. 943)

also known as platelets, thrombocytes are small cell fragments in the blood that are essential for blood clotting processes by helping to stop bleeding

hemophilia (p. 943)

one clotting factor is absent, as a result of an inherited genetic mutation

prothrombin (p. 943)

a protein produced by the liver that is essential for blood clotting, as it is converted into thrombin during the coagulation process

endothelium (p. 945)

a thin layer of cells lining blood vessels, playing a crucial role in vascular function and blood flow regulation

metarterioles (p. 945)

small blood vessels that connect arterioles to capillaries, regulating blood flow and nutrient exchange

pulmonary circulation (p. 946)

the portion of the circulatory system responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and returning oxygenated blood back to the heart

systemic circulation (p. 946)

the part of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart

aorta (p. 946)

the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and distributing oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation

pericardium (p. 947)

the double-walled sac that surrounds and protects the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner serous layer

pericardial cavity (p. 947)

the space between the layers of the pericardium that contains pericardial fluid, which lubricates the heart and reduces friction during heartbeats

septum (p. 947)

a muscular wall that divides the left and right sides of the heart, preventing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood

fossa ovalis (p. 947)

an indentation in the septum of the heart, which is a remnant of the foramen ovale that allows blood to bypass the non-functioning fetal lungs

auricle (p. 947)

an ear-shaped extension of the atria in the heart that increases its capacity, playing a role in holding blood

semilunar valves (p. 948)

valves located at the openings of the pulmonary artery and aorta, preventing backflow of blood into the ventricles after contraction

intercalated discs (p. 948)

specialized connections between cardiac muscle cells that facilitate synchronized contraction

sinoatrial node (p. 949)

the heart's natural pacemaker, located in the right atrium, responsible for initiating the electrical impulses that set the rhythm of the heartbeat

cardiac cycle (p. 949)

the sequence of events in the heart from one heartbeat to the next, including contraction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles

heart murmur (p. 950)

an abnormal sound during the heartbeat, often caused by turbulent blood flow due to valve defects or other heart conditions

arterial pulse (p. 950)

the rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery as blood is pumped through it, typically felt at pulse points throughout the body

starling’s law of the heart (p. 951)

the principle that the strength of the heart's contraction is directly proportional to the initial length of the cardiac muscle fibers, meaning that increased blood volume in the ventricles leads to stronger contractions

peripheral resistance (p. 951)

the resistance of the arteries to blood flow, influenced by vessel diameter and blood viscosity, which affects blood pressure and circulation

hypertension (p. 953)

a condition characterized by consistently elevated blood pressure in the arteries, which can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke

baroreceptors (p. 954)

specialized sensory receptors located in blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure and help regulate cardiovascular function

renin (p. 954)

an enzyme secreted by the kidneys that plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance by converting angiotensinogen to angiotensin I

antidiuretic hormone (p. 954)

a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary, which helps regulate water balance in the body by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys

atrial natriuretic peptide (p. 954)

a hormone produced by the heart's atria that helps reduce blood pressure by promoting sodium excretion and vasodilation

hepatic portal system (p. 956)

a system of veins that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. It allows the liver to process nutrients and detoxify substances before they enter the general circulation

lymphatic system (p. 956)

a network of tissues and organs that helps maintain fluid balance, absorb fats from the digestive tract, and facilitate immune responses by transporting lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells

tonsils (p. 957)

small masses of lymphatic tissue located in the throat that help protect the body from infection by trapping pathogens entering through the mouth and nose

net filtration pressure (p. 957)

the pressure that determines the movement of fluid across capillary membranes, influenced by hydrostatic and osmotic forces

altherosclerosis (p. 958)

a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in the arterial walls, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases

ischemic heart disease (p. 959)

a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease, leading to chest pain (angina) or heart attacks

myocardial infarction (p. 959)

a medical emergency resulting from the sudden blockage of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, causing tissue damage and often leading to chest pain, shortness of breath, and other serious complications

thrombus (p. 959)

a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains attached to its place of origin, potentially obstructing blood flow

venticullar fibrillation (p. 959)

a life-threatening heart rhythm that results in rapid, erratic electrical impulses, preventing the heart from effectively pumping blood, often leading to cardiac arrest