Lab Exam 2 Study Guide: Digestive, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems

Digestive System Organs

Overview of Digestive System Structures

The digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food. Students should be able to identify the major organs and their parts.

• Salivary Glands: Produce saliva to begin digestion and lubricate food.

• Heart: Not a digestive organ; included for anatomical orientation.

• Stomach: Muscular organ that churns food and secretes acid and enzymes.

• Liver: Produces bile for fat digestion and processes nutrients.

• Pancreas: Secretes digestive enzymes and hormones (insulin, glucagon).

• Gallbladder: Stores and concentrates bile from the liver.

• Duodenum: First part of the small intestine; receives chyme from stomach and digestive juices.

• Colon: Large intestine; absorbs water and forms feces.

Example: The duodenum receives secretions from the pancreas and liver to aid in digestion.

Urinary System Organs

Kidney Structure and Nephron Model

The urinary system removes waste products from the blood and regulates fluid balance. The kidneys are the primary organs, containing millions of nephrons.

• Kidney: Bean-shaped organ; filters blood to produce urine.

• Nephron: Functional unit of the kidney; consists of the renal corpuscle and renal tubule.

• Renal Corpuscle: Includes the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule; site of filtration.

• Renal Tubule: Includes proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and collecting duct.

Example: The glomerulus is a network of capillaries where blood filtration begins.

Additional info: The nephron regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Reproductive System Structures

Male Reproductive Structures

The male reproductive system produces and delivers sperm. Key structures include:

• Testes: Produce sperm and testosterone.

• Epididymis: Stores and matures sperm.

• Vas Deferens: Transports sperm from epididymis to urethra.

• Seminal Vesicles, Prostate Gland, Bulbourethral Glands: Produce seminal fluid.

• Penis: Delivers sperm to female reproductive tract.

Example: The epididymis is where sperm mature before ejaculation.

Female Reproductive Structures

The female reproductive system produces eggs and supports fetal development. Key structures include:

• Ovaries: Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen, progesterone).

• Fallopian Tubes: Transport eggs from ovaries to uterus; site of fertilization.

• Uterus: Site of implantation and fetal development.

• Cervix: Lower part of uterus; opens into vagina.

• Vagina: Receives sperm and serves as birth canal.

Example: The fallopian tube is the usual site of fertilization.

Summary Table: Major Organs and Functions

System	Organ	Main Function
Digestive	Stomach	Mechanical and chemical breakdown of food
Digestive	Liver	Bile production, nutrient processing
Urinary	Kidney	Filtration of blood, urine formation
Reproductive (Male)	Testes	Sperm and hormone production
Reproductive (Female)	Ovaries	Egg and hormone production