Human Body Systems: Nutrition, Diets, and Waste Elimination
Understanding Food and Nutrition
Food: The set of processes that allows organisms to use and transform nutrients to stay alive.
Nutrition: The process by which nutrients are obtained from the external environment.
Essential Nutrients and Their Roles
Classification by Function:
- Energy Nutrients: Support the activity of all cells, warm the body, and fuel physical activity. Our body needs energy, thus requiring energy nutrients like carbohydrates and fats.
- Structural Nutrients: Build our body tissues. Proteins
Vertebrate Excretory System: Kidney, Nephron, and Urine Production
Excretory System in Vertebrates
The excretory system in vertebrates is crucial for eliminating waste products and maintaining internal balance. Among the various excretory organs, the kidneys are the most important, composed of numerous nephrons where urine (a liquid composed of water and waste substances) is formed.
Mammalian Kidney and Nephron Anatomy
In mammals, there are two kidneys located in the abdominal cavity, each approximately 10 cm long. These are highly vascular organs; blood enters through
Read MoreVertebrate Animal Classification and Characteristics
Key Characteristics of Vertebrates
- Skeleton: Possess an internal skeleton with a spinal column.
- Digestive System: Composed of a digestive tube (mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine, anus) and auxiliary organs (liver, pancreas).
- Respiratory System: Gills for aquatic life, lungs for terrestrial life.
- Excretory System: Features one primary organ, the kidney.
- Reproduction: Sexual reproduction with external or internal fertilization. Vertebrates can be oviparous (egg-laying) or viviparous (live-bearing).
- Nervous
Cell Biology Essentials: Components, Differentiation, and Tissue Types
Cell Components
Membrane
A thin layer that separates the cell from the external environment. It allows the entrance of nutrients and the exit of waste products.
Cytoplasm
The cell’s interior where organelles can be found.
Nucleus
Contains genetic material that holds the information to control vital functions such as nutrition, reproduction, and interaction.
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
A membranous system formed by a complex set of tubules and sacs. Two types:
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
Has ribosomes.
Human Reproductive Health: Systems, Contraception, and STIs
Human Reproductive Systems
The human reproductive system is a complex biological system responsible for sexual reproduction. Understanding its components and processes is fundamental to comprehending human biology and health.
Fundamentals of Human Reproduction
Gametes and Chromosomes
- Gametes: These are reproductive cells (eggs and sperm) that contain half of the genetic material necessary to form a new organism, enabling sexual reproduction.
- Number of Chromosomes: Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)
Cellular Development: Spermatogenesis and Chick Gastrulation
Spermatogenesis: Process and Stages
Spermatogenesis is the transformation of non-motile, rounded spermatids into functional, motile sperm. This process takes place in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The tubules are lined by germinal epithelium, which contains cuboidal primary germ cells and tall Sertoli (nurse) cells.
Spermatogenesis involves two main stages:
Formation of Spermatids
This process consists of the following three phases:
Proliferative or Multiplication Phase
The undifferentiated