D3.3 Homeostasis

Brown Adipose Tissue: A type of fat tissue that generates heat through non-shivering thermogenesis, primarily found in newborns and hibernating mammals.

Hydrogen Bonds: Weak attractions between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom, playing a crucial role in the properties of water and biological molecules.

Polar Molecule: A molecule that has a significant difference in electronegativity between its atoms, resulting in a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other.

Latent Heat of Vaporization: The amount of energy required to convert a unit mass of a substance from liquid to gas at constant temperature and pressure, without changing its temperature.

Kidney: A vital organ responsible for filtering blood, removing waste products, and regulating electrolyte balance and fluid volume.

Excretion: The process of eliminating waste products from the body to maintain homeostasis.

Osmoregulation: The physiological process by which organisms regulate the balance of water and solutes in their body fluids to maintain optimal concentrations.

Osmotic Concentration: The concentration of solutes in a solution that determines the movement of water across membranes.

Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtering blood and forming urine.

Glomerulus: A network of capillaries within the nephron where the process of ultrafiltration occurs, filtering blood into the Bowman’s capsule.

Bowman’s Capsule: The cup-shaped structure that encloses the glomerulus and collects the filtrate produced during ultrafiltration.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule: The segment of the nephron following Bowman’s capsule, where most of the reabsorption of water, ions, and nutrients occurs.

Loop of Henle: A U-shaped portion of the nephron that plays a key role in concentrating urine and regulating water reabsorption.

Distal Convoluted Tubule: The nephron segment following the loop of Henle, involved in the further adjustment of electrolyte and fluid balance.

Collecting Duct: The duct system in the nephron that receives urine from multiple nephrons and is involved in the final concentration of urine.

Ultrafiltration: The process in the kidneys where blood pressure forces water and small solutes out of the blood through the glomerulus into the Bowman’s capsule.

Glomerular Filtrate: The liquid that passes from the blood into the Bowman’s capsule during ultrafiltration, containing water, electrolytes, and small solutes.

Selective Absorption: The process by which certain molecules and ions are actively reabsorbed into the bloodstream from the renal tubules, while others are excreted.

Osmosis: The passive movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Active Transport: The energy-dependent process that moves ions or molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient.

Microvilli: Tiny, finger-like projections on the surface of epithelial cells that increase surface area for absorption.

Osmoreceptors: Specialized cells that detect changes in osmotic pressure and play a crucial role in the regulation of body fluids and hydration status.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): A hormone that promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, reducing urine output and helping to maintain fluid balance.

Sympathetic Nervous System: A part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the "fight or flight" response, increasing heart rate and redirecting blood flow during stress.

Parasympathetic Nervous System: A part of the autonomic nervous system that promotes "rest and digest" activities, slowing the heart rate and enhancing digestion