Digestive, Excretory, Skeletal, and Integumentary Systems Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the digestive, excretory, skeletal, integumentary, and muscular systems based on the lecture notes.

Vitamin C

A water-soluble vitamin that requires regular replenishment through diet because it cannot be stored in the body for long periods.

Carbohydrates

The main source of energy for the body, providing $4\,Calories$ per gram.

Fats

A nutrient source that provides a high energy yield of $9\,Calories$ per gram and contributes to cell membranes.

Glycogen

The form in which excess supplies of glucose are stored in the liver and muscle tissues for future use.

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins such as A, D, E, and K that can be stored in the body and may reach toxic levels if taken in high doses.

Peristalsis

The coordinated action of rhythmic muscle contractions that push food forward through the digestive system.

Chyme

The semi-liquid mixture formed in the stomach from partly digested food and digestive juices.

Pancreas

An organ that produces digestive enzymes like lipase and an alkaline fluid to neutralize stomach acid.

Villi

Small finger-like projections in the small intestine that increase surface area for nutrient absorption.

Liver

An organ that stabilizes blood glucose by storing excess glucose as glycogen and uses nutrients to build complex molecules.

Nephron

The individual filtering unit of the kidney responsible for forming urine.

Glomerulus

A tangled ball of capillaries within the nephron where blood filtration occurs.

Bowman’s Capsule

The structure in the nephron that performs filtration by collecting the filtrate from the glomerulus.

Loop of Henle

The part of the nephron that concentrates filtrate by removing water before it flows into a collecting duct.

Dialysis

A medical treatment that uses diffusion to filter waste materials from the blood when the kidneys fail to function properly.

ADH

A hormone that regulates water balance by affecting the kidneys.

Axial skeleton

The part of the skeleton that includes the skull, ribs, and vertebrae.

Appendicular skeleton

The part of the skeleton adapted for movement, including the arms and legs.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that secrete chemicals to harden cartilage, forming new bones.

Osteoclasts

Bone cells responsible for removing calcium from the bone and depositing it into the blood.

Calcification

The process of creating hard bone by combining collagen and calcium phosphate.

Red bone marrow

Tissue found in spongy bone responsible for the production of blood cells.

Ligament

Flexible connective tissue that connects two bones across a joint.

Tendon

Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

Dermis

The layer of skin containing blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

Melanin

A pigment produced by the skin that absorbs ultraviolet light to protect against UV damage.

Keratin

A protein that helps waterproof the skin and is the primary component of fingernails.

Sebaceous glands

Glands that produce an oily substance called sebum to lubricate the skin.

Sarcomere

The basic unit of a muscle, consisting of actin and myosin protein fibers.

Actin

Thin protein fibers that are pulled to cause muscle contraction.

Myosin

Protein fibers that pull actin during muscle contraction.

Acetylcholine

The neurotransmitter released from motor neurons to trigger muscle contraction.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle found in the heart that can contract without nervous input.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the walls of internal organs, such as the digestive tract.