Human Physiology: Digestion, Respiration, Endocrine Systems
Human Physiology: Digestive System
Many nutrients we ingest are large molecules (starch, fats, proteins) that must be broken into smaller molecules (glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) to enter the bloodstream and be transported to cells. This process is called digestion. Vitamins, water, glucose, and minerals are small enough to be absorbed directly without digestion, as is ethanol.
Digestive Organs
The digestive system includes: mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
Read MoreHuman Digestion and Respiration Processes
Digestive Process
Enzymes are unseen substances produced by the body that mix with food. In the digestive tract, a series of chemical reactions take place, called chemical digestion.
Mastication: Mechanical process of crushing food into smaller pieces.
Tongue: Involved in moving food to other teeth.
Salivation: When we put food in our mouth, salivary glands produce saliva, a liquid that mixes with food to form the food bolus. Saliva has three functions:
- Starts the chemical digestion of carbohydrates
Plant Nutrition and Energy Processes
Part 1: Nutrition, Relationship, and Reproduction
Nutrition
Nutrition is the process of taking in matter and energy that the body needs to survive.
Relationship
Relationship refers to the abstraction of the information environment surrounding an organism and its use for survival.
Reproduction
Reproduction creates new life forms with similar characteristics to their parents.
Part 2: The Role of Nutrition
The role of nutrition in a living being is the integration and transformation of matter and energy to
Read MoreUnderstanding Pulmonary Mechanics and Ventilation
Key Terms
- Ventilation
- Respiration
- Pressure Gradient
- Tidal Volume
- Pulmonary Mechanics
- Ventilation/Perfusion
- Compliance
- Resistance
- Flow
Assessment of Ventilation
- Respiratory Pattern (Rate and Depth)
- Oxygen and carbon dioxide influence rate and depth of respiration. CO2 is the primary stimulus.
- Accessory Muscle Use
- Prolonged Expiration
- Shortness of Breath
- Cyanosis
- Minute Ventilation
- ABG’s (Primarily CO2)
- Pulse Oximetry
- Capnography
- Transcutaneous Monitoring
Ventilation
- Negative Pressure
- Spontaneous Breathing
- Negative Pressure
Photosynthesis, Respiration, Cell Types & Mendel’s Laws
Photosynthesis
Light-Dependent Reactions
Chlorophyll, the pigment giving plants their green color, resides within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. This pigment captures light energy, exciting electrons in its molecules. This triggers a series of reactions, including the photolysis of water. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere, and hydrogen atoms are captured by organic molecules like NADP+, which becomes NADPH (used in the dark phase).
Dark Reactions (Calvin Cycle)
Occurring in the chloroplast
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