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human body systems
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| tissue | a group of similar cells that perform a specific function |
| organ | a body structure that is composed of different kinds of tissues that work together |
| organ system | a group of organs that work together to perform a major function |
| gland | an organ the produces and releases chemicals either through ducts or into the bloodstream |
| hormone | the chemical produced by an endocrine gland |
| stress | the reaction of a persons body to potentially threatening, challenging, or disturbing events |
| interactions | the direct effect that one thing has on another |
| stable | resistant to sudden change |
| digestion | the process by which your body breaks down food into small nutrient molecules |
| nutrients | the substances in food that provide the raw materials the body ´ s cells need to carry out all their essentials processes |
| absorption | the process by which nutrient molecules pass through the wall of the digestive system into the blood |
| carbohydrates | a energy-rich organic compound, such as sugar or starch, that is made of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen |
| peristalsis | waves of smooth muscle contractions that move food through the esophagus toward the stomach |
| saliva | fluid released from glands in the mouth that play an important role in mechanical and chemical digestion |
| enzymes | proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body |
| elimination | act removal of materials from the body |
| circulatory system | an organ system that transports needed materials to cells and removes waste |
| contract | to draw together, to reduce in size. |
| artery | a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart |
| vein | a blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart |
| capillary | a tiny blood vessel where substances are exchanged between the blood and body cells |
| lymph | fluid that travels through the lymphatic system consisting of water, white blood cells, and dissolved materials |
| bronchi | two passages that direct air into the lungs |
| alveoli | tiny thin-walled sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gasses between air and blood |
| excretion | the process of moving wastes |
| nephron | small filtering structure in the kidneys that removes wastes from blood and produces urine |
| neuron | a cell that carries information through the nervous system |
| synapse | the junction where one neuron can transfer an impulse to another neuron |
| impulse | the message carried by a neuron |
| brain | the part of the central nervous system that is located in the skull and controls most functions of the body. |
| spinal cord | thick column of nervous tissue that links the brain to most of the nerves that branch out through the body |
| reflex | automatic response that occurs without conscious control through the somatic nervous system |
| negative feedback | the process by which a system is turned off by the condition it produces |