Unit 2 - Physiology & Health Flashcards
(138 cards)
1
Q
Testes
A
Site of sperm production
2
Q
Ovaries
A
Site of egg (ova) production
3
Q
Gamete
A
A sex cell
4
Q
Germline cells
A
Cells present in testes/ovaries from which gametes arise
5
Q
Sperm
A
The male gamete
6
Q
Seminiferous tubules
A
Tiny tubes in the testes where sperm cells are produced
7
Q
Interstitial cells
A
Cells situated between seminiferous tubules, produce testosterone
8
Q
Testosterone
A
Male hormone which stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles
9
Q
Prostate gland and Seminal Vesicles
A
Secretes fluid containing enzymes which keep semen at optimum viscosity and helps to maintain the motility and viability of sperm.
10
Q
Ovum
A
The female gamete
11
Q
Follicle
A
Surrounds each ovum, provides protection and releases hormones
12
Q
Fertilisation
A
The fusion of the male and female gamete nuclei
13
Q
Oviduct
A
Site of fertilisation in female body
14
Q
Zygote
A
A fertilised egg cell
15
Q
Puberty
A
Onset of sperm production in males, egg production in females
16
Q
Pituitary gland
A
Endocrine gland which produces many hormones, e.g. FSH/LH/ICSH
17
Q
Hypothalamus
A
Endocrine gland which secretes a releaser hormone
18
Q
Releaser hormone
A
Stimulates the pituitary gland
19
Q
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
A
Hormone which promotes sperm production in males and, in females, stimulates follicle maturation and stimulates ovary tissue to secrete oestrogen
20
Q
LH (Luteinising Hormone)
A
Hormone which triggers ovulation, brings about development of the corpus luteum and causes it to produce progesterone
21
Q
ICSH (Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone)
A
Stimulates interstitial cells to produce testosterone
22
Q
Negative Feedback control
A
A self-regulating mechanism by which an elevated concentration of a hormone will inhibit further secretion of that hormone
23
Q
Menstrual cycle
A
Synchronised series of events that leads to menstruation on day 1.
24
Q
Endometrium
A
Inner lining of the uterus. Site of blastocyst implantation
25
Oestrogen
Female hormone. Stimulates proliferation of endometrium
26
Progesterone
Female hormone. Promotes development and vascularisation of the endometrium
27
Corpus luteum
Formed from degeneration of the follicle in the Luteal phase. Secretes progesterone
28
Follicular phase
Days 1-14 where follicle develops until ovulation occurs
29
Luteal phase
Days 15-28 of menstrual cycle. Corpus luteum is present in ovary
30
Blastocyst implantation
Where tiny ball of cells becomes attached to the endometrium
31
Menstruation
Lack of progesterone leads to shedding of the endometrium
32
Infertility
The inability to conceive children
33
Fertile period
The period of fertility in females, usually 1-2 days after ovulation
34
Cyclical fertility
Egg cells in females are produced during the short period of fertility within the menstrual cycle
35
Continuous fertility
Sperm cells in males are produced at a constant rate
36
Ovulatory drugs
Drugs which mimic the action of FSH/LH or prevent the negative feedback effect of oestrogen on FSH production
37
Super ovulation
Ovulation of multiple ova together, can cause multiple births
38
IVF (In vitro fertilisation)
Fertility treatment that enables fertilisation to occur outside of the body in a culture dish
39
PGD (pre-implantation genetic diagnosis)
Specific test used to check for the presence of a known chromosomal or gene defect
40
Artificial Insemination
Insertion of several samples of semen, collected over time, into the female reproductive tract by means other than sexual intercourse
41
Sterility
The inability to produce gametes
42
ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection)
Procedure where a healthy sperm cell is injected directly into an egg to bring about fertilisation
43
Contraception
The intentional prevention of pregnancy or conception by natural or artificial means
44
Physical contraception
A device that physically blocks the ability of sperm to reach an ovum, e.g. condom, IUD
45
Chemical contraception
Oral pill containing a combination of synthetic hormones that mimic negative feedback, preventing the release of FSH/LH
46
Oral contraceptive pill
Contains synthetic progesterone and oestrogen administered by a pill taken each day for three weeks
47
Morning-after pill
Emergency hormonal contraceptive pills prevent or delay ovulation.
48
Antenatal screening
Prenatal (before birth) tests employed to identify the risk of the foetus inheriting a genetic disorder or chromosomal abnormality
49
Ultrasound imaging
A computer image produced by bouncing high frequency sounds off a foetus through the mother's abdomen
50
Dating scan
Ultrasound imaging carried out 8-14 weeks of pregnancy to determine due date
51
Anomaly scan
Ultrasound imaging carried out at 18-20 weeks pregnancy to check for serious physical abnormalities in the foetus
52
Marker chemicals
Chemicals which, if present in mother's blood or urine, allow professionals to determine the risk of foetal chromosomal abnormalities. Can lead to a false positive result
53
Screening test
A test which detects sign and symptoms of a condition to allow risk factor to be calculated
54
Diagnostic testing
A definitive test that establishes without doubt whether or not a person/foetus is suffering a specific disorder
55
Amniocentesis
Diagnostic test carried out at 14-16 weeks pregnancy to withdraw foetal cells from amniotic fluid for genetic testing
56
CVS (Chorionic villus sampling)
Diagnostic test carried out from 8 weeks pregnancy, taking a sample of placental cells for genetic testing
57
Karyotype
A visual display of a person's complete chromosome complement. Can be produced from amniocentesis and CVS
58
Rhesus antibody testing
A test carried out to determine whether a mother has a Rhesus-negative blood type so that anti-Rhesus antibodies may be administered
59
Postnatal screening
Postnatal (after birth) tests employed to identify whether the foetus has inherited a metabolic disorder
60
PKU (Phenylketonuria)
A metabolic disorder where an individual has excess levels of phenylalanine which can cause mental deficiencies
61
Inborn error of metabolism
A disorder caused by a genetic mutation or abnormality that affects a specific metabolic pathway, usually by the absence of an essential enzyme
62
artery
Type of blood vessel. Has a thick muscular layer, withstands high pressure.
63
capillary
Smallest blood vessel. Wall is only one cell thick.
64
vein
Type of blood vessel. Contains valves and has a thin muscular layer.
65
valves
Structures which prevent the backflow of blood at low pressure in veins.
66
arterioles
Small arteries.
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venules
Small veins.
68
central lumen
Central cavity of a blood vessel. Narrow in arteries, wide in veins.
69
endothelium
Lines the central cavity of the blood vessels
70
vasoconstriction
When the muscle in arterioles contracts, making the lumen narrower.
71
vasodilation
When the muscle in arterioles dilates, making the lumen wider.
72
pressure filtration
Process where high pressure in narrow capillaries causes plasma fluid to be forced out through thin walls to create tissue fluid around body cells.
73
tissue fluid
Liquid that bathes body cells, made of plasma containing dissolved oxygen, soluble food molecules and carbon dioxide. Most tissue fluid returns to blood via osmosis.
74
plasma proteins
The only component of blood plasma which is NOT found in tissue fluid.
75
lymph vessels
Vessels which absorb excess tissue fluid, which becomes lymph.
76
lymphatic system
Vast network of tiny lymph vessels which eventually return lymph fluid to the bloodstream.
77
heart
Muscular structure consisting of four chambers; two atria and two ventricles.
78
vena cava
Main vein which delivers deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.
79
pulmonary artery
Blood vessel which takes deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
80
pulmonary vein
Blood vessel which brings oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
81
aorta
Large artery which takes oxygenated blood from the heart to main arteries of the body.
82
left ventricle
heart chamber with a thick muscular wall required to pump blood around the body with force.
83
atrioventricular (AV) valves
Structures which prevent the backflow of blood between atria and ventricles.
84
semi-lunar (SL) valves
Structures which prevent the backflow of blood leaving the heart via arteries.
85
heart rate
Number of heart beats per minute.
86
stroke volume
The volume of blood pumped out of the heart on each contraction of a ventricle.
87
cardiac output
The volume of blood pumped out of the heart per minute. CO=HRxSV.
88
pulsometer
Equipment used to measure pulse rate.
89
cardiac cycle
Term given to the pattern of contraction and relaxation of the heart in one heartbeat.
90
diastole
Period where blood returns to heart, heart muscle is relaxed. Higher pressure of blood in arteries causes SL valves to close. AV valves are also closed.
91
atrial systole
Period where muscles in atrial walls contract, forcing blood into ventricles. AV valves are open and SL valves are closed.
92
ventricular systole
Period where muscles in ventricle walls contract forcing blood out of heart. AV valves are closed and high ventricular pressure causes SL valves to open.
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conducting system
The system that controls the sequence of events that occurs during each heart beat.
94
sino-atrial node (SAN)
Also known as the pacemaker, a small region of specialised tissue in the wall of the right atrium that initiates electrical impulses which control heart contraction and timing.
95
atrio-ventricular node (AVN)
Area of tissue at the base of the atria which receives impulses from the SAN, which are passed to conducting fibres which cause simultaneous contraction of the ventricles.
96
Medulla
Region of the brain which regulates the rate of the SAN.
97
autonomic nervous system
Branch of the nervous system that controls organs such as the heart, under involuntary control.
98
electrocardiogram (ECG)
Pattern which shows the electrical signals generated by heart activity.
99
antagonistic
The term which describes the opposite effects of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.
100
noradrenaline
The neurotransmitter released by the sympathetic accelerator nerves.
101
acetylcholine
The neurotransmitter released by the slowing parasympathetic nerves.
102
blood pressure
The force that the blood exerts against the walls of the blood vessels.
103
sphygmomanometer
The apparatus used to measure blood pressure
104
120/70 mmHg
A typical reading for blood pressure in a young adult.
105
hypertension
High blood pressure - a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and strokes.
106
atheroma
A build-up of fatty material (mainly cholesterol) under the endothelium of an artery.
107
atherosclerosis
The formation of atheromas/ plaques.
108
lumen
The space within a blood vessel, through which blood flows.
109
endothelium
The inner lining of the wall of a blood vessel.
110
hardening of arteries
When arterial walls thicken and lose elasticity due to deposits of calcium
111
thrombus
A blood clot caused by an atheroma which ruptures and damages the endothelium.
112
thrombosis
The formation of a blood clot/ thrombus in a vessel.
113
clotting factors
Chemicals released which trigger the events needed to clot blood at a wound
114
prothrombin
Inactive blood enzyme which can be converted to thrombin.
115
thrombin
Active enzyme which promotes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.
116
fibrinogen
A soluble plasma protein that can be converted to fibrin.
117
fibrin
Insoluble protein threads that become interwoven to form a mesh which helps blood to clot.
118
embolus
A thrombus that breaks loose and travels in the bloodstream.
119
peripheral arteries
Arteries of the body, NOT including those in the heart or brain.
120
peripheral vascular disease
A narrowing of the central cavity in peripheral arteries, caused by atherosclerosis.
121
deep vein thrombosis
Formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a vein, usually in the lower leg.
122
pulmonary embolism
An embolus which blocks a branch of the pulmonary artery.
123
cholesterol
Substance which is produced in liver cells from saturated fats.
124
statins
Drugs which can reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood.
125
LDL receptors
Receptors embedded in body cell membrane, which attach to LDL cholesterol and release the cholesterol for use inside the cell.
126
low density lipoproteins (LDL)
Molecule which transports cholesterol from the liver to body cells.
127
high density lipoproteins (HDL)
Molecule which transports excess cholesterol from body cells to the liver for elimination.
128
high blood glucose levels
The cause of endothelium cells (which line blood vessels) absorbing more glucose than normal, damaging blood vessels.
129
pancreatic receptors
Receptors which detect high blood glucose levels causing insulin to be produced.
130
insulin
Activates the conversion of glucose to glycogen in the liver. Lowers blood glucose concentration.
131
glucagon
Activates the conversion of glycogen to glucose. Raises blood glucose.
132
adrenaline
Hormone released by adrenal glands which stimulated glucagon secretion, raising blood glucose levels during exercise and fight or flight responses.
133
diabetes
A disorder characterised by high blood glucose concentrations.
134
glucose tolerance test
The test carried out to diagnose diabetes.
135
type 1 diabetes
Type of diabetes which usually occurs in childhood and is treated using regular doses of insulin. Individual does not produce insulin.
136
type 2 diabetes
Type of diabetes which usually develops later in life and is controlled by exercise and diet control. The individual's cells are less responsive to insulin as there may be a decreased number or insulin receptors.
137
obesity
A condition characterised by the accumulation of excess body fat in relation to lean body tissue (muscle). BMI greater than 30.
138
BMI
Body Mass Index is calculated by dividing body mass (kg) by height2 (m).
