chapter 12 Flashcards
Abomasum
the true stomach of ruminant or cud-chewing mammals, which have a four-chambered stomach
Absorption
the main role of the digestive system; the taking up of digested molecules
Alimentary canal
the specialised pathway food takes in complex animals; it includes the passage from mouth to anus, with all the organs food passes through
specialisation of alimentary canals is related to diet,
Alveoli
(singular alveolus) the tiny air sacs located on the end of the bronchioles
Amylase
an enzyme that digests starch; present in saliva and secreted from salivary glands near the base of the tongue
Aorta
the largest artery; it carries blood that is leaving the heart to flow to all parts of the body (i.e. the systemic circulation)
Aortic valve
the valve between the left ventricle and aorta
Arteriole
a small artery
Artery
a blood vessel that takes blood away from the heart
Atrium
(plural atria) a thin-walled chamber of the heart into which blood from the body arrives
Atrioventricular valve
the valve between the atrium and ventricle
Bile
a substance produced by the liver that moves into the duodenum; it has a detergent-like action that helps in mechanical digestion of fats
Bowman’s capsule
The Bowman’s capsule is a cup-shaped structure in the kidneys that surrounds the glomerulus, a network of tiny blood vessels. It is part of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. The primary role of the Bowman’s capsule is to filter blood. Blood enters the glomerulus under high pressure, forcing water, ions, glucose, and small molecules (but not large molecules like proteins or blood cells) into the Bowman’s capsule. This filtrate then passes through the nephron for further processing into urine.
Bronchi
(singular bronchus) the branches of the trachea that lead to the lungs
Bronchiole
a smaller tube of the bronchus
Capillary
a very small blood vessel, found between arteries and veins
Carbonic acid
the substance to which most of the carbon dioxide produced in respiration is converted in the plasma
Carnivore
an animal whose diet consists of animal flesh
Chyme
the ‘soupy’ contents of the stomach (partially digested food)
Chemical digestion
a process whereby complex substances are broken down into their simplest forms via enzyme action
Circulatory system
the heart, blood and blood vessels that ensure nutrients and wastes are carried around the body as needed
Closed circulatory system
a type of circulatory system in which blood is circulated inside vessels; more efficient than an open circulatory system
Dentition
the type of teeth of an animal, which is specialised and reflects the animal’s diet
Diaphragm
the muscular organ that, along with the muscles between the ribs, moves air into and out of the lungs