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Physiology Flashcards

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Physiology

46 flashcards

The primary function of the nervous system is to control and coordinate all parts of the body. It processes sensory information from the external and internal environments and generates appropriate responses.
The two main divisions of the nervous system are the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS consists of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and other essential substances to cells and removing metabolic wastes. It consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
The heart is a muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body. Its contractions propel oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide-rich blood back to the lungs.
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the external environment. Its primary function is to take in oxygen from the air and eliminate carbon dioxide from the body.
The main organs of the respiratory system are the lungs, trachea, bronchi, and diaphragm. The lungs are the primary organs of respiration, where gas exchange occurs.
The digestive system is responsible for breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. It also eliminates solid waste products from the body.
The main organs of the digestive system are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
The excretory system is responsible for removing metabolic waste products and excess water from the body. It helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the chemical composition and fluid balance of the body.
The main organs of the excretory system are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys filter blood and produce urine, which is then transported and eliminated from the body.
The endocrine system is responsible for producing and regulating hormones, which are chemical messengers that coordinate various bodily functions. It helps maintain homeostasis and regulate processes like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Some major endocrine glands include the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.
The skeletal system has several functions, including providing structural support and protection for the body, enabling movement through its attachment to muscles, producing blood cells, and storing minerals.
The two main types of bones in the skeletal system are compact bone and spongy (cancellous) bone. Compact bone is dense and forms the outer layer of bones, while spongy bone is less dense and forms the inner part of bones.
The muscular system is responsible for movement, posture, and maintenance of body temperature. It works in coordination with the skeletal system to enable locomotion, support the body, and facilitate activities like breathing and swallowing.
The three types of muscles in the muscular system are skeletal muscles (attached to bones and controlled voluntarily), smooth muscles (found in internal organs and controlled involuntarily), and cardiac muscles (found in the heart).
The integumentary system, which includes the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands, serves as a protective barrier against external elements, aids in temperature regulation, excretion, and vitamin D synthesis, and provides sensory information through nerve receptors.
The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against foreign invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. It helps defend the body from diseases and infections through various mechanisms, including the production of antibodies and specialized cells.
The two main divisions of the immune system are the innate immune system (providing immediate, non-specific defense) and the adaptive immune system (providing specific, long-lasting defense through the production of antibodies and memory cells).
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels, tissues, and organs that play a crucial role in the body's immune response and fluid balance. It transports lymph (a fluid containing white blood cells) throughout the body, removes waste products from tissues, and helps protect against infections.
The main functions of the reproductive system are to produce hormones, sperm (in males), and egg cells (in females), facilitate fertilization, support embryonic and fetal development, and enable the birth process.
The urinary system is responsible for filtering waste products from the blood, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance, and eliminating metabolic wastes and excess water from the body in the form of urine.
The main components of the urinary system are the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys filter blood, produce urine, which is then transported through the ureters to the bladder for temporary storage before being eliminated from the body through the urethra.
The cardiovascular system plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by transporting oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells throughout the body and removing metabolic wastes. It also helps regulate body temperature and pH levels.
The respiratory system is responsible for the exchange of gases between the body and the external environment. During inhalation, oxygen from the air is taken into the lungs and diffused into the bloodstream. During exhalation, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and expelled from the body.
The digestive system breaks down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body for energy, growth, and repair. The small intestine is the primary site of nutrient absorption, where nutrients from digested food are taken up into the bloodstream.
The endocrine system plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism through the production and secretion of hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and thyroid hormones. These hormones help control the breakdown and utilization of nutrients for energy production and growth.
The skeletal system plays an important role in blood cell production through the process of hematopoiesis, which occurs in the red bone marrow found within certain bones. The red bone marrow is the site where various blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are produced.
The muscular system plays a crucial role in the process of breathing. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles are responsible for inhaling and exhaling air. The diaphragm contracts during inhalation, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and allowing air to enter the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, reducing the volume of the thoracic cavity and expelling air from the lungs.
The integumentary system plays a crucial role in temperature regulation through the process of sweating and vasodilation/vasoconstriction. Sweat glands in the skin release sweat, which cools the body through evaporation. Additionally, the skin's blood vessels can dilate (open) to allow more blood flow and heat dissipation or constrict (narrow) to conserve heat.
The immune system plays a vital role in fighting infections by identifying and destroying pathogens (disease-causing organisms) that enter the body. White blood cells, such as lymphocytes and phagocytes, recognize and eliminate foreign invaders through various mechanisms, including antibody production, cell-mediated immunity, and inflammation.
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immune function by transporting lymph, a fluid containing white blood cells called lymphocytes, throughout the body. Lymph nodes act as filters, trapping and destroying pathogens and other harmful substances. The lymphatic system also helps drain excess fluid and waste products from tissues.
The reproductive system plays a vital role in hormone production, particularly in the production of sex hormones. In females, the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for pregnancy. In males, the testes produce testosterone, which is responsible for the development and maintenance of male reproductive and secondary sex characteristics.
The urinary system plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance in the body by regulating the amount of water and electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) that are excreted or retained. The kidneys filter the blood and selectively reabsorb or excrete water and electrolytes, depending on the body's needs, to maintain proper fluid balance.
The nervous system plays a vital role in regulating various body functions through its control and coordination of different systems. It receives sensory information from the body and the external environment and sends signals to other systems to initiate appropriate responses. The nervous system regulates functions such as movement, respiration, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature regulation.
The cardiovascular system is responsible for delivering nutrients, oxygen, and other essential substances to cells throughout the body. The heart pumps blood through a network of blood vessels, allowing the transportation of nutrients from the digestive system and oxygen from the respiratory system to the body's tissues.
The respiratory system plays a crucial role in speech production. The lungs provide the air flow necessary for generating speech sounds, and the vocal cords in the larynx vibrate to produce voice. The coordinated movements of the respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, regulate the air flow and pressure required for speech.
The digestive system plays a vital role in eliminating waste products from the body. The large intestine, specifically the colon, is responsible for absorbing water from indigestible food matter and forming solid waste (feces). The waste products are then eliminated from the body through the rectum and anus during defecation.
The endocrine system plays a crucial role in growth and development through the production of hormones such as growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and sex hormones. Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates cell growth and division, leading to overall body growth. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and play a role in physical and neurological development. Sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive function.
The skeletal system plays a crucial role in protecting internal organs through the formation of bony structures such as the rib cage, skull, and vertebral column. The rib cage protects the heart, lungs, and other vital organs in the thoracic cavity. The skull protects the brain, and the vertebral column protects the spinal cord.
The muscular system plays a vital role in maintaining proper posture and balance. Skeletal muscles work together to support the body's weight and maintain its position against the force of gravity. Muscles in the back, abdomen, and legs help maintain an upright posture, while muscles in the neck and trunk help maintain balance and stability during movement.
The integumentary system, specifically the skin, plays a crucial role in vitamin D synthesis. When exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight, a cholesterol-derived compound in the skin is converted into vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This vitamin D is then further metabolized in the liver and kidneys to produce the active form, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the body's own healthy tissues and cells. The immune system fails to recognize these cells as "self" and mounts an immune response against them, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Examples of autoimmune disorders include rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in lipid absorption. After digestion in the small intestine, lipids (fats) are packaged into tiny particles called chylomicrons, which are too large to enter the bloodstream directly. Instead, chylomicrons enter the lymphatic system via the lacteals, specialized lymphatic vessels in the villi of the small intestine. The lymphatic system then transports the chylomicrons to the bloodstream, allowing their distribution throughout the body.
The reproductive system plays a crucial role in hormone-mediated feedback loops that regulate reproductive functions. In females, hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) participate in a feedback loop involving the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries to control the menstrual cycle and ovulation. In males, testosterone and other hormones participate in feedback loops that regulate sperm production and male reproductive functions.
The urinary system plays a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance in the body. The kidneys help regulate the pH of the blood by excreting or retaining acids and bases as needed. They filter out excess acids (such as carbonic acid and sulfuric acid) and reabsorb bicarbonate ions to maintain the proper pH level in the body fluids. This process helps prevent the buildup of acidic or basic substances, which can disrupt normal bodily functions.