bio ct1 flashcards

Excretion

Waste removal process known as excretion.

Waste Products of Excretion

Includes carbon dioxide (from cellular respiration) and urea (from protein metabolism).

Lungs

Excrete carbon dioxide.

Kidneys

Main excretory organs that excrete urea.

Primary Role of Kidneys

Remove urea, water, and other unwanted substances from the blood.

Renal Artery

Carries 'dirty' blood (contains waste) to the kidneys.

Renal Vein

Carries 'clean' blood away from the kidneys.

Ureters

Tubes carrying urine to the bladder.

Bladder

Stores urine until disposal.

Urethra

Tube that carries urine out of the body.

Sphincter

A ring of muscle which keeps the bladder closed until you go to the toilet.

Nephrons

Over a million tiny tubes in kidneys that filter blood.

Glomerulus

Cup-shaped structure in nephron where 'dirty' blood is filtered.

Selective Reabsorption

The process where useful substances like glucose and water are reabsorbed back into the blood.

Urine Composition

Urine consists of urea and water.

Stages of Digestion

Includes ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and defecation.

Carbohydrase

Enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates (starch -> glucose).

Lipase

Enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Protease

Enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids.

Absorption in Small Intestine

Takes place primarily through villi, which increase surface area for nutrient uptake.

Functions of the Liver

Includes chemical factory, food store, glucose storage, and converting excess amino acids into urea.

Bile

Produced by the liver and needed for digestion.

Fibrinogen

A protein made by the liver that is needed for blood to clot in wounds.