Science vocabulary study set

Vocabulary of Body Systems

• Cell Differentiation

  • The process by which unspecialized cells develop into mature forms with specific functions.
  • Example: Stem cells differentiating into blood cells, nerve cells, etc.

• Tissue

  • A group of similar cells working together to perform particular functions.
  • Types: Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous.

• Organ

  • A structure composed of different tissues that work together to perform specific tasks.
  • Example: The heart (muscle tissue, connective tissue, etc.).

• Organ System

  • A group of organs that work collaboratively to perform complex functions.
  • Example: The digestive system (mouth, stomach, intestines).

• Muscle

  • Specialized tissue capable of contraction to create movement.

• Joint

  • The area where two or more bones meet, allowing movement.
  • Types: Hinge, Ball-and-socket, Pivot.

• Ligament

  • Tissue that connects bones to other bones at joints, providing stability.

• Hydrostatic Skeleton

  • A skeleton formed by a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by muscle, offering support.
  • Example: Jellyfish.

• Exoskeleton

  • A hard outer covering that protects and supports the body of certain animals.
  • Example: Insects, crustaceans.

• Skeletal Muscle

  • Muscle connected to bones that allows voluntary movement and is striated in appearance.

• Voluntary Muscle

  • Muscles under conscious control, often involved in movement.

• Cardiac Muscle

  • Muscle found only in the heart; involuntary and striated.

• Involuntary Muscle

  • Muscles that function without conscious control.

• Smooth Muscle

  • Involuntary muscle that appears smooth, found in internal organs.

• Calorie

  • A unit of energy; the amount required to increase the temperature of 1 kg of water by 1°C.

• Nutrient

  • Substances in food necessary for growth and survival.
  • Types: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals.

• Digestion

  • The mechanical and chemical process of breaking food down into smaller, absorbable units.

• Mechanical Digestion

  • The physical breakdown of food into smaller pieces for easier processing.

• Chemical Digestion

  • The chemical breakdown of food substances into smaller molecules through enzymatic action.

• Esophagus

  • A muscular tube connecting the mouth to the stomach, facilitating food transport.

• Peristalsis

  • Muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract in a wave-like motion.

• Villus

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

Systems in Biology

• Excretory System

  • The system responsible for collecting and eliminating waste, regulating fluid levels in the body.

• Photosynthesis

  • A series of chemical reactions that convert light energy, water, and CO2 into glucose and release oxygen.

• Vascular Tissue

  • Specialized plant tissue that transports water and nutrients.
  • Components: Xylem and Phloem.

Specific Plant Tissues:

• Xylem

  • Transports water and minerals from roots to other parts of the plant.

• Phloem

  • Distributes sugars and other metabolic products downward from the leaves.

• Stoma

  • Openings on leaf surfaces that allow gas exchange.

Respiratory System Components

• Pharynx

  • Tubular passageway for air, food, and liquids; located at the throat's top.

• Trachea

  • A tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi; kept open by cartilage rings.

• Bronchi

  • Two branches of the trachea that lead into the lungs.

• Lungs

  • Primary organs involved in gas exchange during respiration.

• Diaphragm

  • A muscular barrier beneath the lungs that contracts to facilitate breathing.

• Alveoli

  • Tiny sacs where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs.

Cardiovascular System Components

• Atria

  • Two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.

• Ventricles

  • Two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out.

• Artery

  • Vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

• Vein

  • Vessels that return blood to the heart.

• Capillary

  • Smallest blood vessels, facilitating the exchange of substances between blood and tissue cells.

Circulatory Systems

• Open Circulatory System

  • Blood and fluids circulate in open spaces around organs; found in some invertebrates.

• Closed Circulatory System

  • Blood is contained within vessels, providing efficient transport; found in vertebrates.

Nervous System Overview

• Nervous System

  • Responsible for gathering, processing, and responding to information from the environment.

• Neuron

  • The fundamental unit of the nervous system; specialized for transmitting signals.

• Central Nervous System (CNS)

  • Comprises the brain and spinal cord, processing information and directing responses.

• Spinal Cord

  • A tubular structure of neurons transmitting signals between the brain and the body.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• Peripheral Nervous System

  • Consists of sensory and motor neurons connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.

• Sensory System

  • Component of the nervous system that detects stimuli from the environment.

• Receptor

  • Specialized structures that sense environmental changes, triggering responses in the nervous system.