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The gonads are endocrine glands whose functions are to support development and maturation of the male and female germ cells. The male gonads, the testes, are responsible for development and maturation of sperm and synthesis and secretion of the male…
The endocrine system, in concert with the nervous system, is responsible for homeostasis. Growth, development, reproduction, blood pressure, concentrations of ions and other substances in blood, and even behavior are all regulated by the endocrine system. Endocrine physiology involves the…
The functions of the gastrointestinal tract are digestion and absorption of nutrients. To serve these functions, there are four major activities of the gastrointestinal tract. (1) Motility propels ingested food from the mouth toward the rectum and mixes and reduces…
Acid-base balance is concerned with maintaining a normal hydrogen ion concentration in the body fluids. This balance is achieved by utilization of buffers in extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF), by respiratory mechanisms that excrete carbon dioxide, and by…
The kidneys function in several capacities. As excretory organs, the kidneys ensure that those substances in excess or that are harmful are excreted in urine in appropriate amounts. As regulatory organs, the kidneys maintain a constant volume and composition of…
The nervous system is a complex network that allows an organism to communicate with its environment. The network includes sensory components, which detect changes in environmental stimuli, and motor components, which generate movement, contraction of skeletal and smooth muscle, and…
The motor (efferent) nervous system has two components: the somatic and the autonomic. These two systems differ in a number of ways but are chiefly distinguished by the types of effector organs they innervate and the types of functions they…
Understanding the functions of the organ systems requires profound knowledge of basic cellular mechanisms. Although each organ system differs in its overall function, all are undergirded by a common set of physiologic principles. The following basic principles of physiology are…