Glossary

(Adaptations) -
Characteristics of an organisms that are oftentimes inherited in order to optimize survival and reproductive success to their relative environment. (Reece et al, 2018).

The ability of certain organisms to survive despite the loss of their bodily water – this is referred to as “life without water” (Wharton, 2015).

the atria are the upper chambers of the heart. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the systemic circuit, which it sends to the right ventricle. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circuit (i.e. from the lungs), and then sends this blood to the left ventricle.

this is an effect demonstrating the relationship between pH and oxygen's affinity for hemoglobin, which can be seen on the oxygen dissociation curve. The Bohr effect shows that a lower (more acidic) pH increases oxygen dissociation from hemoglobin.

see Figure 3.6

in this system, blood unidirectionally circulates the body through blood vessels. Here, blood starts from the heart and flows through either of 2 circulatory routes, and eventually returns to the heart.

Component of the feedback system that compares the value provided by the sensor to that of its normal range (n.d., 2021).

An adaptation to the circulatory system of certain animals that enables them to transfer heat from the artery to the vein, so that cold venous cold is not returned to the heart. (n.d., 2021).

A temporary state, wherein an organism drastically decreases metabolic activity wherein it is hardly measurable, under extreme conditions. (Clegg, 2001).

Animals that do not have control of their internal body temperature, it varies according to environmental temperature. (n.d., 2021).

A component of the feedback system that is activated by the control center, should the value deviate from its setpoint, which causes a change to the body that reverses the deviation and returns to value to its optimal range. (n.d., 2021).

An animal that is able to maintain constant body temperature despite the external environment. (n.d., 2021).

the circulatory system is a body system that includes a network of vessels: the arteries, veins, and capillaries and a pump: the heart. Human hearts have 4 chambers, where there are 2 atria and 2 ventricles.

this is the part of hemoglobin containing iron, and which binds to oxygen.

allows oxygen to be bound to the erythrocyte (red blood cell).

Refers to the steady physiological state conditions of an organism’s body (Reece et al, 2018).

Organisms (oftentimes archaea and bacteria) that inhabit high-temperature environments, ranging from approx. 80°C - 113°C. (Stetter, 2006).

organisms that produce methane in anaerobic conditions. (Buan, 2018).

A mechanism that aims to reverse a deviation that has occurred in the body from a set point, back to its normal range or optimal state. Thus, this process works to reduce changes in the body to enable an organism to attain an optimal range in order to maintain their internal conditions (that is their organs and bodily functions) within survival range. (Cornell 2016)

this is the percent of heme (in all the blood) that are bound to oxygen. Thus, the lower the O2 saturation, the less O2 there is in the heme.

this is primarily found in invertebrate animals, where the circulatory fluid directly bathes the internal organs, even though this circulatory fluid can be moved by a pumping heart.

Regulation of water concentrations, as well as solute concentrations, within an organism. (Reece et al, 2018).

this graph displays the relationship of pO2 to the binding of oxygen to heme. This can be used to display the effects of different environment conditions (ex. varying pH or temperature) on the dissociation of oxygen from heme to be used by the body for cellular respiration.

more oxygen transport allows more cellular respiration to occur, thus increasing ATP production and building of new structures in the body (see Figure 3.1)

the partial pressure of oxygen.

A body mechanism that occurs once change is detected by the sensors. The effector is then activated and proceeds to amplify the change in the body’s physiological condition until the said stimulus is removed. This process can only occur if the body has a definite endpoint. (Cornell 2016)

contain a metalloprotein called hemoglobin, allowing oxygen to be bound to the erythrocyte in order to transport the oxygen around the body.

Component of the feedback system that monitors a physiological value, otherwise known as a receptor. (n.d., 2021).

A value at around which equilibrium is maintained and the normal range oftentimes fluctuates. (n.d., 2021; Reece et al, 2018).

Ability of substance to be dissolved in solvent. (Britannica T. Editors, 2018).

An agent wherein material or substance typically dissolve, oftentimes a liquid such as water. (Britannica T. Editors, 2019)

A change in external or internal environment, such as: temperature, glucose levels, etc. (n.d., 2021).

Regulation of internal body temperature, despite external conditions. (Reece et al, 2018).

The narrowing of arteries which results in a reduced passage for blood flow. (vaso – artery, constriction ¬– narrowing). (n.d., 2021).

The opening or widening of arteries that results in an enhanced blood flow (vaso – artery/ dilation – opening). (n.d., 2021).

these are the lower chambers of the heart. When the right ventricle contracts, it pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary arteries and into the pulmonary circuit to get oxygenated. When the left ventricle contracts it pumps oxygenated blood through the aorta and into the systemic circuit.