Human Body Systems

Flashcards for circulatory, respiratory, excretory, and digestive systems

Heart

Organ that pumps blood throughout the body

Blood Vessels

Tubes that carry blood (includes arteries, veins, and capillaries)

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart

Veins

Carry blood back to the heart

Capillaries

Tiny vessels where oxygen and nutrients diffuse into and out of blood

Left and Right Atrium

Upper chambers of the heart

Left and Right Ventricles

Lower chambers of the heart

Plasma

Liquid part of blood where cells float

Red Blood Cells

Carry oxygen

White Blood Cells

Fight infection and pathogens

Platelets

Help clot blood and prevent bleeding

Trachea

Windpipe that allows air to pass into the lungs

Bronchi

Two tubes that branch from the trachea to the lungs

Bronchioles

Small tubes that branch off the bronchi

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs with capillaries

Diaphragm

Muscle that helps inhale and exhale by expanding/contracting the lungs

Pulmonary Circulation

Blood flow between the heart and lungs

Systemic Circulation

Blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body

Lungs

Remove carbon dioxide by diffusion and exhaling

Skin

Removes salt and urea through sweat

Kidneys

Filter blood and produce urine

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from kidneys to bladder

Bladder

Stores urine until it's released

Urethra

Tube that releases urine out of the body

Main Function (Digestive System)

Break down food into smaller molecules for absorption and use by the body

Mouth

Begins mechanical digestion by chewing and chemical digestion with saliva

Esophagus

Connects mouth to stomach, moves food using peristalsis

Stomach

Mixes and churns food (mechanical), digests food with acid (chemical)

Pancreas

Produces digestive enzymes and insulin

Liver

Produces bile to help break down fats

Small Intestines

Continues chemical digestion; absorbs nutrients

Large Intestines

Absorbs water into the bloodstream

Mechanical Digestion

Physically breaks food into smaller pieces

Chemical Digestion

Chemically breaks food into simpler molecules