unit 6 : medical science

mouth/nose

entry way for air. filters, warms, and humidifies

epiglottis

flap that prevents food from entering the lungs when swallowing

trachea

directs air to the bronchi

bronchi

two main branches that go into each lung, directing air to the bronchioles

bronchioles

smaller airways within lungs

alveoli

tiny air sacks where gas exchange occurs

diaphragm

muscle below lungs

ribs

protects lungs

intercostal muscles

between ribs, helps expand and contract the chest for breathing

breathing

physical movement of air

respiration

process of exchanging gas (chemical)

diffusion

how oxygen gets to the cell (moving of particles from high concentration to low concentration areas)

arteries

carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body

veins

carries oxygen-poor blood back to the heart

capillaries

tiny blood vessels that carry oxygen, carbon dioxide, and waste particles for gas exchange

red blood cells

carry oxygen from lungs to tissue, transports carbon dioxide back for exhalation

white blood cells

helps fight infections

platelets

helps with clotting blood

plasma

the liquid component of blood

left atruim

lungs —> left ventricle

left ventricle

pumps blood to the body via the aorta

aorta

largest artery, heart —> body

right ventricle

pumps deoxygenated blood, lungs —> pulmonary artery

vena cava

large veins (superior and inferior), returns deoxygenated blood from body to heart

pulmonary artery

deoxygenated blood, right ventricle —> lungs

pulmonary vein

oxygenated blood, lungs —> left atrium

aerobic respiration

generates more energy per glucose molecule

anaerobic respiration

without oxygen, produces less energy, and can lead to byproducts (lactic acid)

carcinogenic

substance that can cause cancer by triggering cell mutations/damaging dna