Unit 4: Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory

The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.

Organisms that must consume other organisms to obtain energy and nutrients.

The process of taking food into the mouth.

The process of eliminating undigested food waste from the body.

The breakdown of food into smaller pieces using physical methods.

The breakdown of food using enzymes and other chemicals.

A muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.

Wave-like contractions of smooth muscles that move food through the digestive tract.

A J-shaped organ where food is stored and further digestion takes place.

A muscular valve that controls the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

The upper respiratory system is the first part of the respiratory system and includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, epiglottis, larynx, and trachea.

The nasal passages warm, moisten, and filter air before it enters the lungs. It also helps with sense of smell.

Cilia are tiny hair-like structures that line the respiratory passages. They help to trap and move foreign particles, such as dust and bacteria, out of the respiratory system.

The pharynx is a passageway that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx. It also helps move food into the mouth.

The epiglottis is a small, flexible flap of tissue that covers the trachea (windpipe) during swallowing, preventing food from entering the lungs.

The larynx is a structure that contains the vocal cords, allowing us to produce sound when air passes through it. Also, it helps regulate airflow to the lungs.

The trachea is a tube that carries air from the larynx to the lungs. It's supported by cartilage rings, which prevent the trachea from collapsing.

The lower respiratory system includes the bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, and pleural membrane. It's the part of the respiratory system responsible for gas exchange.

The bronchi are two main branches of the trachea that carry air into the lungs. They then divide into smaller branches called bronchioles.

The bronchioles are smaller branches of the bronchi that carry air to the alveoli. They control airflow by adjusting their diameter.

The alveoli are tiny air sacs located at the end of the bronchioles, where gas exchange takes place between the air and the blood capillaries.

The pleural membrane is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds each lung and lines the chest cavity. It helps reduce friction during breathing.

Asthma causes chronic inflammation and overproduction of mucus in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath are common symptoms.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that causes thick, sticky mucus buildup in the lungs, leading to inflammation and infection. It can also affect the pancreas and digestive system.

Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that damages the alveoli, making it difficult to exhale air. It can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.

An inflammation of the lungs caused by bacteria or viruses, affecting patches of both lungs. Bacterial pneumonia is more severe, while viral pneumonia is usually less severe, but can lead to secondary bacterial infections.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, a type of bacteria, causes a serious type of pneumonia that affects sections of the lungs called lobes.

A serious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs such as kidneys, brain and spinal cord, damaging lung tissue and restricting airflow.

The body's transportation network, carrying blood, nutrients, waste products, and disease-fighting agents throughout the body.

The movement of blood through the heart, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cardiac muscle tissue.

A closed system where blood is pumped through a network of vessels to deliver nutrients and oxygen, collect waste, and fight disease.

The heart, the primary pumping organ of the circulatory system.

The network of tubes that carry blood throughout the body, including arteries (carrying blood away from the heart), veins (carrying blood back to the heart), and capillaries (where gas exchange happens).

The fluid that circulates throughout the body, carrying oxygen, nutrients, waste products, and disease-fighting agents. Composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets.

The process of maintaining a stable body temperature by balancing heat production and heat loss.

The small finger-like projections that extend into the small intestine, significantly increasing its surface area for enhanced absorption of nutrients.

Microscopic projections on the cell membrane of villi, further increasing the surface area for maximum nutrient absorption in the small intestine.

Small lymphatic vessels located within the villi of the small intestine, responsible for absorbing and transporting digested fats into the circulatory system.

This larger segment of the digestive system consists of the cecum, colon, and rectum.

The pouch-like beginning of the large intestine where chyme is temporarily stored.

The largest part of the large intestine responsible for absorbing water, minerals, and vitamins, as well as storing waste products.

A sore that develops in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by the presence of hydrochloric acid and pepsin.

A condition characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements, often caused by factors like low fiber intake, dehydration, or lack of physical activity.

A chronic condition where inflammation affects the intestines, leading to various symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.

A type of IBD that primarily affects the colon, leading to inflammation and ulceration of the lining.

A condition where the lower esophageal sphincter malfunctions, allowing stomach contents to reflux back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and indigestion.

Solid deposits of bile salts that form in the gallbladder, potentially obstructing bile flow into the small intestine.

A condition characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, caused by the buildup of bile pigments in the blood.

A chronic liver disease characterized by scar tissue replacing healthy liver tissue, often caused by chronic alcohol abuse or hepatitis C.

A hormone produced by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels, allowing cells to take up glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen.

A condition marked by the body's inability to use glucose for energy, leading to complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage.

A type of diabetes where the immune system destroys beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in insufficient insulin production.

A type of diabetes where the body develops insulin resistance, causing the pancreas to produce less insulin over time.

The primary function of this system is to facilitate gas exchange, which is essential for cellular respiration.

This is the act of drawing air into the lungs.

This is the act of expelling air from the lungs.

This is the tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.

The respiratory system is a vital component of maintaining homeostasis in the body.

This is the process of breathing, involving both inspiration and expiration.

This flap of tissue covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway.

This is the tube that connects the pharynx to the lungs, allowing air to pass.

This is the thin-walled sac that surrounds the lungs, preventing them from collapsing.

A condition where the walls of arteries thicken and harden, reducing their elasticity.

A buildup of plaque (fatty deposits, calcium, and fibrous tissues) within the artery walls, narrowing the passage and hindering blood flow.

A bulge in an artery or heart chamber caused by a weakened area of arterial wall or heart muscle.

A condition where the heart valves don't close properly, allowing blood to flow backward.

A condition where the heart valve opening narrows, often due to thickening or scarring, making it difficult for blood to flow out of the ventricles or atria.

An irregular heartbeat, either in speed or rhythm.

A condition present from birth, involving defects in the heart's walls, valves, or blood vessels near the heart.

A blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, interrupting blood flow and oxygen to brain tissue.

A rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, causing blood to leak into brain tissue.

A brief loss of consciousness caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain.