Term | Definition |
cells | the smallest unit of life |
tissues | groups of similar cells that perform a specific function, such as muscle tissue |
organs | groups of tissues that perform a function, such as the stomach |
body systems | groups of organs working together to perform a function, such as digestion |
Human body systems | this includes circulatory, respiratory, digestive, nervous, immune, endocrine, reproductive, urinary, skeletal and muscular |
circulatory system | system which includes the heart and blood vessels; main function is to move the blood throughout the body (aka cardiovascular system) |
heart | a muscle that contracts to pump blood |
arteries | blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to any part of the body |
capillaries | one of the tiny blood vessels between the terminations of the arteries and the beginnings of the veins |
veins | blood vessels conveying blood from various parts of the body to the heart |
respiratory system | system which consists of the nose, throat, trachea (windpipe), and lungs; function is to take oxygen into the body when we inhale and to get rid of waste (carbon dioxide) when we exhale |
bronchi | two tubes that branch off the trachea (windpipe), one goes into each lung |
bronchioles | smaller tubes that branch off the bronchi |
alveolus | a tiny spherical sac that is on the end of each bronchiole |
digestive system | system which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine; function is to break down food into nutrients, which are used for cell processes including the production of energy, and to get rid of digestive wastes |
saliva | a watery fluid, secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands, that functions in the tasting, chewing, and swallowing of food, moistens the mouth, and starts the digestion of starches |
enzymes | any of various proteins originating from living cells and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action, as in digestion. |
villus/villi | one of the minute, wormlike processes on certain membranes, especially on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, where they serve in absorbing nutriment |
nervous system | consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; function is to receive, process, and transmit information, controlling body activities |
cerebrum | one of three main parts of the brain, which controls functions such as thinking, seeing, and speaking |
cerebellum | one of the three main parts of the brain, which coordinates movement and position |
brainstem | one of the three main parts of the brain, which controls breathing and heart rate |