Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GAMSAT Prep > Human Biology > Flashcards

Human Biology Flashcards

Homeostasis, Respiratory System, Circulatory System, Digestive System, Endocrine System, Immune System, Musculosketal System, Nervous System & Renal System

1
Q

Define and briefly describe the process of “Homeostasis”?

A

an organism’s ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment

internal or external changes cause the internal environment to become imbalanced, so self-regulatory mechanisms are employed to return to a normal state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Name 3 variables that are controlled by homeostasis

A

Chemically signalling molecules
core body temperature
ion concentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a “negative feedback loop”?

A

the primary homeostatic control mechanism in the body, where the final response aims to remove or oppose the initial signal

e.g. temp regulation - shiver to generate heat = body returns to set point = signal of low body temp is removed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is a “positive feedback loop”?

A

The end response continually reinforces the stimulus and therefore the response becomes amplified until an external intervention breaks the loop

e.g. contraction during childbirth only ceases after the baby is born and the cervix is no longer being stretched

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Describe the structure of the human respiratory system

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the process of “Inhalation”

A

The diaphragm contracts downwards and the lungs expand upwards

the increase in volume in the lungs creates a low-pressure environment, which sucks air in like a vacuum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Describe the process of “exhalation”

A

the diaphragm relaxes upwards and the lungs shrink to their original size

there’s a decrease in volume in the lungs which creates a high-pressure environment that pushes air out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe the process of “gas exchange” in the respiratory system

A

alveoli are high in oxygen vs blood low in oxygen = diffuse of oxygen across the capillary bed

simultaneously, carbon dioxide diffuses out of the capillary - going from high conc. in blood to low conc. in alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe the structure of the heart

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the two different types of circulation?

A

Pulmonary - deoxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the lungs for gas exchange

Systemic - oxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the rest of the body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the function of veins?

A

transportation of blood towards the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the function of arteries?

A

transportation of blood, under high pressure, away from the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the function of capillaries?

A

connect cellular structures and enable more targeted access to blood to supply cells with necessary molecules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the circulation of blood within the heart

A

right and left atrium of the heart collects blood from the superior/inferior vena cave and pulmonary vein respectively

blood moves into their respective right and left ventricles, and exits the heart into the pulmonary artery and aorta respectively

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the function of the “mouth” in the digestive system?

A

Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food via salivary amylase and teeth

Food is formed into bolus, then swallowed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the function of the “oesophagus” in the digestive system?

A

constricts in a circular pattern, passing bolus into stomach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the function of the “stomach” in the digestive system?

A

Mechanically (contraction of stomach muscle) and chemically (gastric acid) breaks down

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the function of the “duodenum” in the digestive system?

A

bolus mixed with digestive enzymes and bile salts secreted from the pancreas and liver respectively

19
Q

What is the function of the “jejunum” in the digestive system?

A

villi aids in the absorption of nutrients from the lumen into the bloodstream

20
Q

What is the function of the “ileum” in the digestive system?

A

absorbs vitamin B12, bile salts and any products of digestion that where not absorbed by jejunum

21
Q

What is the function of the “liver” & “gallbladder” in the digestive system?

A

liver produces bile salts that can be stored in the gallbladder and secreted into the duodenum to aid in fat absorption

liver also filters and breaks down toxins in the body

22
Q

What is the function of the “pancreas” in the digestive system?

A

produces digestive enzymes which are secreted into the duodenum

produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon

23
Q

What are the two components that make up the digestive system?

A

Gastrointestinal tract
accessory organs

24
Q

What are hormones?

A

molecules released by cells in endocrine glands that act as messengers in the body., influencing structure or metabolic rate

25
Q

Name 3 different types of hormonal signalling

A
26
Q

What is the purpose of the HPA axis?

A

responsible for maintaining corticosteroid release

hypothalamus senses when blood corticosteroid conc. is low and secretes CRH

CRH stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete ACTH

ACTH travels via the blood to the adrenal gland, stimulating more glucocorticoids until levels return to baseline, inhibiting CRH and ACTH

27
Q

What is the purpose of the oxytocin loop during childbirth?

A
28
Q

Define the role and response of The Innate Immune System

A

provides the first line of defence against pathogens or foreign bodies

the response is rapid, but non-specific and remains the same every time, only vary depending on the pathogen that invades the body

29
Q

Define the role and response of The Adaptive Immune System

A

response is slower but targeted to a specific type of pathogen

the slower response allows the development of immunological memory should the pathogen be encountered again

30
Q

What does the Primary Immune System consist of?

A

Bone Marrow - site of B & T cell development and maturation

Thymus - site of T cell maturation

31
Q

What does the Secondary Immune System consist of?

A

Lymph-nodes - central site for immune cells and help filter circulating lymph to fight infections

Spleen - an organ responsible for surveillance and removal of dead RBC and also produces blood cells in the fetus

Peyer’s Patches - facilitates adaptive immunity in the mucosal surfaces of the gut

32
Q

What are the 5 major bone groups?

A
33
Q

What is the purpose of cartilage?

A

a connective tissue that lines the surface of bones to allow movement and protect against impact

34
Q

What are the 3 major types of muscles?

A

Skeletal Muscle, makes up the musculoskeletal system

Smooth Muscle, found on the lining of hollow organs

Cardiac Muscle, makes up the heart

35
Q

What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?

A

Tendons - connects muscle to bone, very rigid

Ligaments - connects bone to bone, more flexible

36
Q

What is a nerve and what is its function?

A

Bundles of neurons that connect our sensory receptors to our brains, and connect our brains to our motor areas, via action potential

37
Q

What is an action potential?

A

biochemical mechanisms by which neurons send messages

38
Q

Describe the pathway of an action potential

A

Dendrites receive a signal that triggers action potential and passes through to the cell body, which hosts the nucleus

Travels down through Axon, continuing to the Axon Terminal

A Synapse forms with whatever the neuron is trying to signal to

39
Q

What is the structure and role of the central nervous system?

A

nerves in the brain and spinal cord

recieve all the info from the PNS and regulate the body, process thought and store memories

40
Q

What is the structure and role of the Peripheral nervous system?

A

includes the sensory neurons and motor neurons

these nerves connect with the nerves in the spinal cord so that signals can be sent from the PNS to the CNS and vice versa

41
Q

What are the two sub-groups of the PNS?

A

Somatic Nervous System - the sensory and motor system

Autonomic Nervous System - the system that controls things you are not conscious of

42
Q

What is the function of the kidneys?

A

essential in maintaining homeostasis of the human body, predominantly through its main role - filtering blood

43
Q

What role does the Nephron play in the kidneys?

A

main role is to filter blood to remove toxins and waste and maintain homeostasis for the rest of the body

responsible for collecting filtrate which will become urine which can leave the kidney and allow waste to be removed from the body

GAMSAT Prep (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions