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Boundless Biology: 40.3: Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels

Boundless Biology
40.3: Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
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table of contents
  1. 1: The Study of Life
    1. 1.1: The Science of Biology
      1. 1.1.0: Introduction to the Study of Biology
      2. 1.1.1: Scientific Reasoning
      3. 1.1.2: The Scientific Method
      4. 1.1.3: Basic and Applied Science
      5. 1.1.4: Publishing Scientific Work
      6. 1.1.5: Branches and Subdisciplines of Biology
    2. 1.2: Themes and Concepts of Biology
      1. 1.2.0: Properties of Life
      2. 1.2.1: Levels of Organization of Living Things
      3. 1.2.2: The Diversity of Life
  2. 2: The Chemical Foundation of Life
    1. 2.1: Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules
      1. 2.1.0: Overview of Atomic Structure
      2. 2.1.1: Atomic Number and Mass Number
      3. 2.1.2: Isotopes
      4. 2.1.3: The Periodic Table
      5. 2.1.4: Electron Shells and the Bohr Model
      6. 2.1.5: Electron Orbitals
      7. 2.1.6: Chemical Reactions and Molecules
      8. 2.1.7: Ions and Ionic Bonds
      9. 2.1.8: Covalent Bonds and Other Bonds and Interactions
      10. 2.1.9: Hydrogen Bonding and Van der Waals Forces
    2. 2.2: Water
      1. 2.2.0: Water’s Polarity
      2. 2.2.1: Water’s States: Gas, Liquid, and Solid
      3. 2.2.2: Water’s High Heat Capacity
      4. 2.2.3: Water’s Heat of Vaporization
      5. 2.2.4: Water’s Solvent Properties
      6. 2.2.5: Water’s Cohesive and Adhesive Properties
      7. 2.2.6: pH, Buffers, Acids, and Bases
    3. 2.3: Carbon
      1. 2.3.0: The Chemical Basis for Life
      2. 2.3.1: Hydrocarbons
      3. 2.3.2: Organic Isomers
      4. 2.3.3: Organic Enantiomers
      5. 2.3.4: Organic Molecules and Functional Groups
  3. 3: Biological Macromolecules
    1. 3.1: Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules
      1. 3.1.0: Types of Biological Macromolecules
      2. 3.1.1: Dehydration Synthesis
      3. 3.1.2: Hydrolysis
    2. 3.2: Carbohydrates
      1. 3.2.0: Carbohydrate Molecules
      2. 3.2.1: Importance of Carbohydrates
    3. 3.3: Lipids
      1. 3.3.0: Lipid Molecules
      2. 3.3.1: Waxes
      3. 3.3.2: Phospholipids
      4. 3.3.3: Steroids
    4. 3.4: Proteins
      1. 3.4.0: Types and Functions of Proteins
      2. 3.4.1: Amino Acids
      3. 3.4.2: Protein Structure
      4. 3.4.3: Denaturation and Protein Folding
    5. 3.5: Nucleic Acids
      1. 3.5.0: DNA and RNA
      2. 3.5.1: The DNA Double Helix
      3. 3.5.2: DNA Packaging
      4. 3.5.3: Types of RNA
  4. 4: Cell Structure
    1. 4.1: Studying Cells
      1. 4.1.0: Cells as the Basic Unit of Life
      2. 4.1.1: Microscopy
      3. 4.1.2: Cell Theory
      4. 4.1.3: Cell Size
    2. 4.2: Prokaryotic Cells
      1. 4.2.0: Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells
    3. 4.3: Eukaryotic Cells
      1. 4.3.0: Characteristics of Eukaryotic Cells
      2. 4.3.1: The Plasma Membrane and the Cytoplasm
      3. 4.3.2: The Nucleus and Ribosomes
      4. 4.3.3: Mitochondria
      5. 4.3.4: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
    4. 4.4: The Endomembrane System and Proteins
      1. 4.4.0: Vesicles and Vacuoles
      2. 4.4.1: The Endoplasmic Reticulum
      3. 4.4.2: The Golgi Apparatus
      4. 4.4.3: Lysosomes
      5. 4.4.4: Peroxisomes
    5. 4.5: The Cytoskeleton
      1. 4.5.0: Microfilaments
      2. 4.5.1: Intermediate Filaments and Microtubules
    6. 4.6: Connections between Cells and Cellular Activities
      1. 4.6.0: Extracellular Matrix of Animal Cells
      2. 4.6.1: Intercellular Junctions
  5. 5: Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes
    1. 5.1: Components and Structure
      1. 5.1.0: Components of Plasma Membranes
      2. 5.1.1: Fluid Mosaic Model
      3. 5.1.2: Membrane Fluidity
    2. 5.2: Passive Transport
      1. 5.2.0: The Role of Passive Transport
      2. 5.2.1: Selective Permeability
      3. 5.2.2: Diffusion
      4. 5.2.3: Facilitated transport
      5. 5.2.4: Osmosis
      6. 5.2.5: Tonicity
      7. 5.2.6: Osmoregulation
    3. 5.3: Active Transport
      1. 5.3.0: Electrochemical Gradient
      2. 5.3.1: Primary Active Transport
      3. 5.3.2: Secondary Active Transport
    4. 5.4: Bulk Transport
      1. 5.4.0: Endocytosis
      2. 5.4.1: Exocytosis
  6. 6: Metabolism
    1. 6.1: Energy and Metabolism
      1. 6.1.0: The Role of Energy and Metabolism
      2. 6.1.1: Types of Energy
      3. 6.1.2: Metabolic Pathways
      4. 6.1.3: Metabolism of Carbohydrates
    2. 6.2: Potential, Kinetic, Free, and Activation Energy
      1. 6.2.0: Free Energy
      2. 6.2.1: The First Law of Thermodynamics
      3. 6.2.2: The Second Law of Thermodynamics
      4. 6.2.3: Activation Energy
    3. 6.3: ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate
      1. 6.3.0: ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate
    4. 6.4: Enzymes
      1. 6.4.0: Enzyme Active Site and Substrate Specificity
      2. 6.4.1: Control of Metabolism Through Enzyme Regulation
  7. 7: Cellular Respiration
    1. 7.1: Energy in Living Systems
      1. 7.1.0: Transforming Chemical Energy
      2. 7.1.1: Electrons and Energy
      3. 7.1.2: ATP in Metabolism
    2. 7.2: Glycolysis
      1. 7.2.0: Importance of Glycolysis
      2. 7.2.1: The Energy-Requiring Steps of Glycolysis
      3. 7.2.2: The Energy-Releasing Steps of Glycolysis
      4. 7.2.3: Outcomes of Glycolysis
    3. 7.3: Oxidation of Pyruvate and the Citric Acid Cycle
      1. 7.3.0: Breakdown of Pyruvate
      2. 7.3.1: Acetyl CoA to CO2
      3. 7.3.2: Citric Acid Cycle
    4. 7.4: Oxidative Phosphorylation
      1. 7.4.0: Electron Transport Chain
      2. 7.4.1: Chemiosmosis and Oxidative Phosphorylation
      3. 7.4.2: ATP Yield
    5. 7.5: Metabolism without Oxygen
      1. 7.5.0: Anaerobic Cellular Respiration
    6. 7.6: Connections of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Lipid Metabolic Pathways
      1. 7.6.0: Connecting Other Sugars to Glucose Metabolism
      2. 7.6.1: Connecting Proteins to Glucose Metabolism
      3. 7.6.2: Connecting Lipids to Glucose Metabolism
    7. 7.7: Regulation of Cellular Respiration
      1. 7.7.0: Regulatory Mechanisms for Cellular Respiration
      2. 7.7.1: Control of Catabolic Pathways
  8. 8: Photosynthesis
    1. 8.1: Overview of Photosynthesis
      1. 8.1.0: The Purpose and Process of Photosynthesis
      2. 8.1.1: Main Structures and Summary of Photosynthesis
      3. 8.1.2: The Two Parts of Photosynthesis
    2. 8.2: The Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis
      1. 8.2.0: Introduction to Light Energy
      2. 8.2.1: Absorption of Light
      3. 8.2.2: Processes of the Light-Dependent Reactions
    3. 8.3: The Light-Independent Reactions of Photosynthesis
      1. 8.3.0: CAM and C4 Photosynthesis
      2. 8.3.1: The Calvin Cycle
      3. 8.3.2: The Carbon Cycle
  9. 9: Cell Communication
    1. 9.1: Signaling Molecules and Cellular Receptors
      1. 9.1.0: Signaling Molecules and Cellular Receptors
      2. 9.1.1: Forms of Signaling
      3. 9.1.2: Types of Receptors
      4. 9.1.3: Signaling Molecules
    2. 9.2: Propagation of the Cellular Signal
      1. 9.2.0: Binding Initiates a Signaling Pathway
      2. 9.2.1: Methods of Intracellular Signaling
    3. 9.3: Response to the Cellular Signal
      1. 9.3.0: Termination of the Signal Cascade
      2. 9.3.1: Cell Signaling and Gene Expression
      3. 9.3.2: Cell Signaling and Cellular Metabolism
      4. 9.3.3: Cell Signaling and Cell Growth
      5. 9.3.4: Cell Signaling and Cell Death
    4. 9.4: Signaling in Single-Celled Organisms
      1. 9.4.0: Signaling in Yeast
      2. 9.4.1: Signaling in Bacteria
  10. 10: Cell Reproduction
    1. 10.1: Cell Division
      1. 10.1.0: The Role of the Cell Cycle
      2. 10.1.1: Genomic DNA and Chromosomes
      3. 10.1.2: Eukaryotic Chromosomal Structure and Compaction
    2. 10.2: The Cell Cycle
      1. 10.2.0: Interphase
      2. 10.2.1: The Mitotic Phase and the G0 Phase
    3. 10.3: Control of the Cell Cycle
      1. 10.3.0: Regulation of the Cell Cycle by External Events
      2. 10.3.1: Regulation of the Cell Cycle at Internal Checkpoints
      3. 10.3.2: Regulator Molecules of the Cell Cycle
    4. 10.4: Cancer and the Cell Cycle
      1. 10.4.0: Proto-oncogenes
      2. 10.4.1: Tumor Suppressor Genes
    5. 10.5: Prokaryotic Cell Division
      1. 10.5.0: Binary Fission
  11. 11: Meiosis and Sexual Reproduction
    1. 11.1: The Process of Meiosis
      1. 11.1.0: Introduction to Meiosis
      2. 11.1.1: Meiosis I
      3. 11.1.2: Meiosis II
      4. 11.1.3: Comparing Meiosis and Mitosis
    2. 11.2: Sexual Reproduction
      1. 11.2.0: Advantages and Disadvantages of Sexual Reproduction
      2. 11.2.1: Life Cycles of Sexually Reproducing Organisms
  12. 12: Mendel's Experiments and Heredity
    1. 12.1: Mendel’s Experiments and the Laws of Probability
      1. 12.1.0: Introduction to Mendelian Inheritance
      2. 12.1.1: Mendel’s Model System
      3. 12.1.2: Mendelian Crosses
      4. 12.1.3: Garden Pea Characteristics Revealed the Basics of Heredity
      5. 12.1.4: Rules of Probability for Mendelian Inheritance
    2. 12.2: Patterns of Inheritance
      1. 12.2.0: Genes as the Unit of Heredity
      2. 12.2.1: Phenotypes and Genotypes
      3. 12.2.2: The Punnett Square Approach for a Monohybrid Cross
      4. 12.2.3: Alternatives to Dominance and Recessiveness
      5. 12.2.4: Sex-Linked Traits
      6. 12.2.5: Lethal Inheritance Patterns
    3. 12.3: Laws of Inheritance
      1. 12.3.0: Mendel's Laws of Heredity
      2. 12.3.1: Mendel's Law of Dominance
      3. 12.3.2: Mendel's Law of Segregation
      4. 12.3.3: Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment
      5. 12.3.4: Genetic Linkage and Violation of the Law of Independent Assortment
      6. 12.3.5: Epistasis
  13. 13: Modern Understandings of Inheritance
    1. 13.1: Chromosomal Theory and Genetic Linkage
      1. 13.1.0: Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
      2. 13.1.1: Genetic Linkage and Distances
      3. 13.1.2: Identification of Chromosomes and Karyotypes
    2. 13.2: Chromosomal Basis of Inherited Disorders
      1. 13.2.0: Disorders in Chromosome Number
      2. 13.2.1: Chromosomal Structural Rearrangements
      3. 13.2.2: X-Inactivation
  14. 14: DNA Structure and Function
    1. 14.1: Historical Basis of Modern Understanding
      1. 14.1.0: Discovery of DNA
      2. 14.1.1: Modern Applications of DNA
    2. 14.2: DNA Structure and Sequencing
      1. 14.2.0: The Structure and Sequence of DNA
      2. 14.2.1: DNA Sequencing Techniques
    3. 14.3: DNA Replication
      1. 14.3.0: Basics of DNA Replication
      2. 14.3.1: DNA Replication in Prokaryotes
      3. 14.3.2: DNA Replication in Eukaryotes
      4. 14.3.3: Telomere Replication
    4. 14.4: DNA Repair
      1. 14.4.0: DNA Repair
  15. 15: Genes and Proteins
    1. 15.1: The Genetic Code
      1. 15.1.0: The Relationship Between Genes and Proteins
      2. 15.1.1: The Central Dogma: DNA Encodes RNA and RNA Encodes Protein
    2. 15.2: Prokaryotic Transcription
      1. 15.2.0: Transcription in Prokaryotes
      2. 15.2.1: Initiation of Transcription in Prokaryotes
      3. 15.2.2: Elongation and Termination in Prokaryotes
    3. 15.3: Eukaryotic Transcription
      1. 15.3.0: Initiation of Transcription in Eukaryotes
      2. 15.3.1: Elongation and Termination in Eukaryotes
    4. 15.4: RNA Processing in Eukaryotes
      1. 15.4.0: mRNA Processing
      2. 15.4.1: Processing of tRNAs and rRNAs
    5. 15.5: Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis
      1. 15.5.0: The Protein Synthesis Machinery
      2. 15.5.1: The Mechanism of Protein Synthesis
      3. 15.5.2: Protein Folding, Modification, and Targeting
  16. 16: Gene Expression
    1. 16.1: Regulation of Gene Expression
      1. 16.1.0: The Process and Purpose of Gene Expression Regulation
      2. 16.1.1: Prokaryotic versus Eukaryotic Gene Expression
    2. 16.2: Prokaryotic Gene Regulation
      1. 16.2.0: The trp Operon: A Repressor Operon
      2. 16.2.1: Catabolite Activator Protein (CAP): An Activator Regulator
      3. 16.2.2: The lac Operon: An Inducer Operon
    3. 16.3: Eukaryotic Gene Regulation
      1. 16.3.0: The Promoter and the Transcription Machinery
      2. 16.3.1: Transcriptional Enhancers and Repressors
      3. 16.3.2: Epigenetic Control: Regulating Access to Genes within the Chromosome
      4. 16.3.3: RNA Splicing
      5. 16.3.4: The Initiation Complex and Translation Rate
      6. 16.3.5: Regulating Protein Activity and Longevity
    4. 16.4: Regulating Gene Expression in Cell Development
      1. 16.4.0: Gene Expression in Stem Cells
      2. 16.4.1: Cellular Differentiation
      3. 16.4.2: Mechanics of Cellular Differentation
      4. 16.4.3: Establishing Body Axes during Development
      5. 16.4.4: Gene Expression for Spatial Positioning
      6. 16.4.5: Cell Migration in Multicellular Organisms
      7. 16.4.6: Programmed Cell Death
    5. 16.5: Cancer and Gene Regulation
      1. 16.5.0: Altered Gene Expression in Cancer
      2. 16.5.1: Epigenetic Alterations in Cancer
      3. 16.5.2: Cancer and Transcriptional Control
      4. 16.5.3: Cancer and Post-Transcriptional Control
      5. 16.5.4: Cancer and Translational Control
  17. 17: Biotechnology and Genomics
    1. 17.1: Biotechnology
      1. 17.1.0: Biotechnology
      2. 17.1.1: Basic Techniques to Manipulate Genetic Material (DNA and RNA)
      3. 17.1.2: Molecular and Cellular Cloning
      4. 17.1.3: Reproductive Cloning
      5. 17.1.4: Genetic Engineering
      6. 17.1.5: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
      7. 17.1.6: Biotechnology in Medicine
      8. 17.1.7: Production of Vaccines, Antibiotics, and Hormones
    2. 17.2: Mapping Genomes
      1. 17.2.0: Genetic Maps
      2. 17.2.1: Physical Maps and Integration with Genetic Maps
    3. 17.3: Whole-Genome Sequencing
      1. 17.3.0: Strategies Used in Sequencing Projects
      2. 17.3.1: Use of Whole-Genome Sequences of Model Organisms
      3. 17.3.2: Uses of Genome Sequences
    4. 17.4: Applying Genomics
      1. 17.4.0: Predicting Disease Risk at the Individual Level
      2. 17.4.1: Pharmacogenomics, Toxicogenomics, and Metagenomics
      3. 17.4.2: Genomics and Biofuels
    5. 17.5: Genomics and Proteomics
      1. 17.5.0: Genomics and Proteomics
      2. 17.5.1: Basic Techniques in Protein Analysis
      3. 17.5.2: Cancer Proteomics
  18. 18: Evolution and the Origin of Species
    1. 18.1: Understanding Evolution
      1. 18.1.0: What is Evolution?
      2. 18.1.1: Charles Darwin and Natural Selection
      3. 18.1.2: The Galapagos Finches and Natural Selection
      4. 18.1.3: Processes and Patterns of Evolution
      5. 18.1.4: Evidence of Evolution
      6. 18.1.5: Misconceptions of Evolution
    2. 18.2: Formation of New Species
      1. 18.2.0: The Biological Species Concept
      2. 18.2.1: Reproductive Isolation
      3. 18.2.2: Speciation
      4. 18.2.3: Allopatric Speciation
      5. 18.2.4: Sympatric Speciation
    3. 18.3: Hybrid Zones and Rates of Speciation
      1. 18.3.0: Hybrid Zones
      2. 18.3.1: Varying Rates of Speciation
    4. 18.4: Evolution of Genomes
      1. 18.4.0: Genomic Similiarities between Distant Species
      2. 18.4.1: Genome Evolution
      3. 18.4.2: Whole-Genome Duplication
      4. 18.4.3: Gene Duplications and Divergence
      5. 18.4.4: Noncoding DNA
      6. 18.4.5: Variations in Size and Number of Genes
    5. 18.5: Evidence of Evolution
      1. 18.5.0: The Fossil Record as Evidence for Evolution
      2. 18.5.1: Fossil Formation
      3. 18.5.2: Gaps in the Fossil Record
      4. 18.5.3: Carbon Dating and Estimating Fossil Age
      5. 18.5.4: The Fossil Record and the Evolution of the Modern Horse
      6. 18.5.5: Homologous Structures
      7. 18.5.6: Convergent Evolution
      8. 18.5.7: Vestigial Structures
      9. 18.5.8: Biogeography and the Distribution of Species
  19. 19: The Evolution of Populations
    1. 19.1: Population Evolution
      1. 19.1.0: Defining Population Evolution
      2. 19.1.1: Population Genetics
      3. 19.1.2: Hardy-Weinberg Principle of Equilibrium
    2. 19.2: Population Genetics
      1. 19.2.0: Genetic Variation
      2. 19.2.1: Genetic Drift
      3. 19.2.2: Gene Flow and Mutation
      4. 19.2.3: Nonrandom Mating and Environmental Variance
    3. 19.3: Adaptive Evolution
      1. 19.3.0: Natural Selection and Adaptive Evolution
      2. 19.3.1: Stabilizing, Directional, and Diversifying Selection
      3. 19.3.2: Frequency-Dependent Selection
      4. 19.3.3: Sexual Selection
      5. 19.3.4: No Perfect Organism
  20. 20: Phylogenies and the History of Life
    1. 20.1: Organizing Life on Earth
      1. 20.1.0: Phylogenetic Trees
      2. 20.1.1: Limitations of Phylogenetic Trees
      3. 20.1.2: The Levels of Classification
    2. 20.2: Determining Evolutionary Relationships
      1. 20.2.0: Distinguishing between Similar Traits
      2. 20.2.1: Building Phylogenetic Trees
    3. 20.3: Perspectives on the Phylogenetic Tree
      1. 20.3.0: Limitations to the Classic Model of Phylogenetic Trees
      2. 20.3.1: Horizontal Gene Transfer
      3. 20.3.2: Endosymbiotic Theory and the Evolution of Eukaryotes
      4. 20.3.3: Web, Network, and Ring of Life Models
  21. 21: Viruses
    1. 21.1: Viral Evolution, Morphology, and Classification
      1. 21.1.0: Discovery and Detection of Viruses
      2. 21.1.1: Evolution of Viruses
      3. 21.1.2: Viral Morphology
      4. 21.1.3: Virus Classification
    2. 21.2: Virus Infections and Hosts
      1. 21.2.0: Steps of Virus Infections
      2. 21.2.1: The Lytic and Lysogenic Cycles of Bacteriophages
      3. 21.2.2: Animal Viruses
      4. 21.2.3: Plant Viruses
    3. 21.3: Prevention and Treatment of Viral Infections
      1. 21.3.0: Vaccines and Immunity
      2. 21.3.1: Vaccines and Anti-Viral Drugs for Treatment
    4. 21.4: Prions and Viroids
      1. 21.4.0: Prions and Viroids
  22. 22: Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea
    1. 22.1: Prokaryotic Diversity
      1. 22.1.0: Classification of Prokaryotes
      2. 22.1.1: The Origins of Archaea and Bacteria
      3. 22.1.2: Extremophiles and Biofilms
    2. 22.2: Structure of Prokaryotes
      1. 22.2.0: Basic Structures of Prokaryotic Cells
      2. 22.2.1: Prokaryotic Reproduction
    3. 22.3: Prokaryotic Metabolism
      1. 22.3.0: Energy and Nutrient Requirements for Prokaryotes
      2. 22.3.1: The Role of Prokaryotes in Ecosystems
    4. 22.4: Bacterial Diseases in Humans
      1. 22.4.0: History of Bacterial Diseases
      2. 22.4.1: Biofilms and Disease
      3. 22.4.2: Antibiotics: Are We Facing a Crisis?
      4. 22.4.3: Bacterial Foodborne Diseases
    5. 22.5: Beneficial Prokaryotes
      1. 22.5.0: Symbiosis between Bacteria and Eukaryotes
      2. 22.5.1: Early Biotechnology: Cheese, Bread, Wine, Beer, and Yogurt
      3. 22.5.2: Prokaryotes and Environmental Bioremediation
  23. 23: Protists
    1. 23.1: Eukaryotic Origins
      1. 23.1.0: Early Eukaryotes
      2. 23.1.1: Characteristics of Eukaryotic DNA
      3. 23.1.2: Endosymbiosis and the Evolution of Eukaryotes
      4. 23.1.3: The Evolution of Mitochondria
      5. 23.1.4: The Evolution of Plastids
    2. 23.2: Characteristics of Protists
      1. 23.2.0: Cell Structure, Metabolism, and Motility
      2. 23.2.1: Protist Life Cycles and Habitats
    3. 23.3: Groups of Protists
      1. 23.3.0: Excavata
      2. 23.3.1: Chromalveolata: Alveolates
      3. 23.3.2: Chromalveolata: Stramenopiles
      4. 23.3.3: Rhizaria
      5. 23.3.4: Archaeplastida
      6. 23.3.5: Amoebozoa and Opisthokonta
    4. 23.4: Ecology of Protists
      1. 23.4.0: Protists as Primary Producers, Food Sources, and Symbionts
      2. 23.4.1: Protists as Human Pathogens
      3. 23.4.2: Protists as Plant Pathogens
  24. 24: Fungi
    1. 24.1: Characteristics of Fungi
      1. 24.1.0: Characteristics of Fungi
      2. 24.1.1: Fungi Cell Structure and Function
      3. 24.1.2: Fungi Reproduction
    2. 24.2: Ecology of Fungi
      1. 24.2.0: Fungi Habitat, Decomposition, and Recycling
      2. 24.2.1: Mutualistic Relationships with Fungi and Fungivores
    3. 24.3: Classifications of Fungi
      1. 24.3.0: Chytridiomycota: The Chytrids
      2. 24.3.1: Zygomycota: The Conjugated Fungi
      3. 24.3.2: Ascomycota: The Sac Fungi
      4. 24.3.3: Basidiomycota: The Club Fungi
      5. 24.3.4: Deuteromycota: The Imperfect Fungi
      6. 24.3.5: Glomeromycota
    4. 24.4: Fungal Parasites and Pathogens
      1. 24.4.0: Fungi as Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens
    5. 24.5: Importance of Fungi in Human Life
      1. 24.5.0: Importance of Fungi in Human Life
  25. 25: Seedless Plants
    1. 25.1: Early Plant Life
      1. 25.1.0: Early Plant Life
      2. 25.1.1: Evolution of Land Plants
      3. 25.1.2: Plant Adaptations to Life on Land
      4. 25.1.3: Sporophytes and Gametophytes in Seedless Plants
      5. 25.1.4: Structural Adaptations for Land in Seedless Plants
      6. 25.1.5: The Major Divisions of Land Plants
    2. 25.2: Green Algae: Precursors of Land Plants
      1. 25.2.0: Streptophytes and Reproduction of Green Algae
      2. 25.2.1: Charales
    3. 25.3: Bryophytes
      1. 25.3.0: Bryophytes
      2. 25.3.1: Liverworts and Hornworts
      3. 25.3.2: Mosses
    4. 25.4: Seedless Vascular Plants
      1. 25.4.0: Seedless Vascular Plants
      2. 25.4.1: Vascular Tissue: Xylem and Phloem
      3. 25.4.2: The Evolution of Roots in Seedless Plants
      4. 25.4.3: Ferns and Other Seedless Vascular Plants
      5. 25.4.4: The Importance of Seedless Vascular Plants
  26. 26: Seed Plants
    1. 26.1: Evolution of Seed Plants
      1. 26.1.0: The Evolution of Seed Plants and Adaptations for Land
      2. 26.1.1: Evolution of Gymnosperms
      3. 26.1.2: Evolution of Angiosperms
    2. 26.2: Gymnosperms
      1. 26.2.0: Characteristics of Gymnosperms
      2. 26.2.1: Life Cycle of a Conifer
      3. 26.2.2: Diversity of Gymnosperms
    3. 26.3: Angiosperms
      1. 26.3.0: Angiosperm Flowers
      2. 26.3.1: Angsiosperm Fruit
      3. 26.3.2: The Life Cycle of an Angiosperm
      4. 26.3.3: Diversity of Angiosperms
    4. 26.4: The Role of Seed Plants
      1. 26.4.0: Herbivory and Pollination
      2. 26.4.1: The Importance of Seed Plants in Human Life
      3. 26.4.2: Biodiversity of Plants
  27. 27: Introduction to Animal Diversity
    1. 27.1: Features of the Animal Kingdom
      1. 27.1.0: Characteristics of the Animal Kingdom
      2. 27.1.1: Complex Tissue Structure
      3. 27.1.2: Animal Reproduction and Development
    2. 27.2: Features Used to Classify Animals
      1. 27.2.0: Animal Characterization Based on Body Symmetry
      2. 27.2.1: Animal Characterization Based on Features of Embryological Development
    3. 27.3: Animal Phylogeny
      1. 27.3.0: Constructing an Animal Phylogenetic Tree
      2. 27.3.1: Molecular Analyses and Modern Phylogenetic Trees
    4. 27.4: The Evolutionary History of the Animal Kingdom
      1. 27.4.0: Pre-Cambrian Animal Life
      2. 27.4.1: The Cambrian Explosion of Animal Life
      3. 27.4.2: Post-Cambrian Evolution and Mass Extinctions
  28. 28: Invertebrates
    1. 28.1: Phylum Porifera
      1. 28.1.0: Phylum Porifera
      2. 28.1.1: Morphology of Sponges
      3. 28.1.2: Physiological Processes in Sponges
    2. 28.2: Phylum Cnidaria
      1. 28.2.0: Phylum Cnidaria
      2. 28.2.1: Class Anthozoa
      3. 28.2.2: Class Scyphozoa
      4. 28.2.3: Class Cubozoa and Class Hydrozoa
    3. 28.3: Superphylum Lophotrochozoa
      1. 28.3.0: Superphylum Lophotrochozoa
      2. 28.3.1: Phylum Platyhelminthes
      3. 28.3.2: Phylum Rotifera
      4. 28.3.3: Phylum Nemertea
      5. 28.3.4: Phylum Mollusca
      6. 28.3.5: Classification of Phylum Mollusca
      7. 28.3.6: Phylum Annelida
    4. 28.4: Superphylum Ecdysozoa
      1. 28.4.0: Superphylum Ecdysozoa
      2. 28.4.1: Phylum Nematoda
      3. 28.4.2: Phylum Arthropoda
      4. 28.4.3: Subphyla of Arthropoda
    5. 28.5: Superphylum Deuterostomia
      1. 28.5.0: Phylum Echinodermata
      2. 28.5.1: Classes of Echinoderms
      3. 28.5.2: Phylum Chordata
  29. 29: Vertebrates
    1. 29.1: Chordates
      1. 29.1.0: Characteristics of Chordata
      2. 29.1.1: Chordates and the Evolution of Vertebrates
      3. 29.1.2: The Evolution of Craniata and Vertebrata
      4. 29.1.3: Characteristics of Vertebrates
    2. 29.2: Fishes
      1. 29.2.0: Agnathans: Jawless Fishes
      2. 29.2.1: Gnathostomes: Jawed Fishes
    3. 29.3: Amphibians
      1. 29.3.0: Characteristics and Evolution of Amphibians
      2. 29.3.1: Modern Amphibians
    4. 29.4: Reptiles
      1. 29.4.0: Characteristics of Amniotes
      2. 29.4.1: Evolution of Amniotes
      3. 29.4.2: Characteristics of Reptiles
      4. 29.4.3: Evolution of Reptiles
      5. 29.4.4: Modern Reptiles
    5. 29.5: Birds
      1. 29.5.0: Characteristics of Birds
      2. 29.5.1: Evolution of Birds
    6. 29.6: Mammals
      1. 29.6.0: Characteristics of Mammals
      2. 29.6.1: Evolution of Mammals
      3. 29.6.2: Living Mammals
    7. 29.7: The Evolution of Primates
      1. 29.7.0: Characteristics and Evolution of Primates
      2. 29.7.1: Early Human Evolution
      3. 29.7.2: Early Hominins
      4. 29.7.3: Genus Homo
  30. 30: Plant Form and Physiology
    1. 30.1: The Plant Body
      1. 30.1.0: Plant Tissues and Organ Systems
    2. 30.2: Stems
      1. 30.2.0: Functions of Stems
      2. 30.2.1: Stem Anatomy
      3. 30.2.2: Primary and Secondary Growth in Stems
      4. 30.2.3: Stem Modifications
    3. 30.3: Roots
      1. 30.3.0: Types of Root Systems and Zones of Growth
      2. 30.3.1: Root Modifications
    4. 30.4: Leaves
      1. 30.4.0: Leaf Structure and Arrangment
      2. 30.4.1: Types of Leaf Forms
      3. 30.4.2: Leaf Structure, Function, and Adaptation
    5. 30.5: Plant Development
      1. 30.5.0: Meristems
      2. 30.5.1: Genetic Control of Flowers
    6. 30.6: Transport of Water and Solutes in Plants
      1. 30.6.0: Water and Solute Potential
      2. 30.6.1: Pressure, Gravity, and Matric Potential
      3. 30.6.2: Movement of Water and Minerals in the Xylem
      4. 30.6.3: Transportation of Photosynthates in the Phloem
    7. 30.7: Plant Sensory Systems and Responses
      1. 30.7.0: Plant Responses to Light
      2. 30.7.1: The Phytochrome System and Red Light Response
      3. 30.7.2: Blue Light Response
      4. 30.7.3: Plant Responses to Gravity
      5. 30.7.4: Auxins, Cytokinins, and Gibberellins
      6. 30.7.5: Abscisic Acid, Ethylene, and Nontraditional Hormones
      7. 30.7.6: Plant Responses to Wind and Touch
    8. 30.8: Plant Defense Mechanisms
      1. 30.8.0: Plant Defenses Against Herbivores
      2. 30.8.1: Plant Defenses Against Pathogens
  31. 31: Soil and Plant Nutrition
    1. 31.1: Nutritional Requirements of Plants
      1. 31.1.0: Plant Nutrition
      2. 31.1.1: The Chemical Composition of Plants
      3. 31.1.2: Essential Nutrients for Plants
    2. 31.2: The Soil
      1. 31.2.0: Soil Composition
      2. 31.2.1: Soil Formation
      3. 31.2.2: Physical Properties of Soil
    3. 31.3: Nutritional Adaptations of Plants
      1. 31.3.0: Nitrogen Fixation: Root and Bacteria Interactions
      2. 31.3.1: Mycorrhizae: The Symbiotic Relationship between Fungi and Roots
      3. 31.3.2: Nutrients from Other Sources
  32. 32: Plant Reproduction
    1. 32.1: Plant Reproductive Development and Structure
      1. 32.1.0: Plant Reproductive Development and Structure
      2. 32.1.1: Sexual Reproduction in Gymnosperms
      3. 32.1.2: Sexual Reproduction in Angiosperms
    2. 32.2: Pollination and Fertilization
      1. 32.2.0: Pollination and Fertilization
      2. 32.2.1: Pollination by Insects
      3. 32.2.2: Pollination by Bats, Birds, Wind, and Water
      4. 32.2.3: Double Fertilization in Plants
      5. 32.2.4: Development of the Seed
      6. 32.2.5: Development of Fruit and Fruit Types
      7. 32.2.6: Fruit and Seed Dispersal
    3. 32.3: Asexual Reproduction
      1. 32.3.0: Asexual Reproduction in Plants
      2. 32.3.1: Natural and Artificial Methods of Asexual Reproduction in Plants
      3. 32.3.2: Plant Life Spans
  33. 33: The Animal Body: Basic Form and Function
    1. 33.1: Animal Form and Function
      1. 33.1.0: Characteristics of the Animal Body
      2. 33.1.1: Body Plans
      3. 33.1.2: Limits on Animal Size and Shape
      4. 33.1.3: Limiting Effects of Diffusion on Size and Development
      5. 33.1.4: Animal Bioenergetics
      6. 33.1.5: Animal Body Planes and Cavities
    2. 33.2: Animal Primary Tissues
      1. 33.2.0: Epithelial Tissues
      2. 33.2.1: Connective Tissues: Loose, Fibrous, and Cartilage
      3. 33.2.2: Connective Tissues: Bone, Adipose, and Blood
      4. 33.2.3: Muscle Tissues and Nervous Tissues
    3. 33.3: Homeostasis
      1. 33.3.0: Homeostatic Process
      2. 33.3.1: Control of Homeostasis
      3. 33.3.2: Homeostasis: Thermoregulation
      4. 33.3.3: Heat Conservation and Dissipation
  34. 34: Animal Nutrition and the Digestive System
    1. 34.1: Digestive Systems
      1. 34.1.0: Digestive Systems
      2. 34.1.1: Herbivores, Omnivores, and Carnivores
      3. 34.1.2: Invertebrate Digestive Systems
      4. 34.1.3: Vertebrate Digestive Systems
      5. 34.1.4: Digestive System: Mouth and Stomach
      6. 34.1.5: Digestive System: Small and Large Intestines
    2. 34.2: Nutrition and Energy Production
      1. 34.2.0: Food Requirements and Essential Nutrients
      2. 34.2.1: Food Energy and ATP
    3. 34.3: Digestive System Processes
      1. 34.3.0: Ingestion
      2. 34.3.1: Digestion and Absorption
      3. 34.3.2: Elimination
    4. 34.4: Digestive System Regulation
      1. 34.4.0: Neural Responses to Food
      2. 34.4.1: Hormonal Responses to Food
  35. 35: The Nervous System
    1. 35.1: Neurons and Glial Cells
      1. 35.1.0: Neurons and Glial Cells
      2. 35.1.1: Neurons
      3. 35.1.2: Glia
    2. 35.2: How Neurons Communicate
      1. 35.2.0: Nerve Impulse Transmission within a Neuron: Resting Potential
      2. 35.2.1: Nerve Impulse Transmission within a Neuron: Action Potential
      3. 35.2.2: Synaptic Transmission
      4. 35.2.3: Signal Summation
      5. 35.2.4: Synaptic Plasticity
    3. 35.3: The Nervous System
      1. 35.3.0: The Nervous System
    4. 35.4: The Central Nervous System
      1. 35.4.0: Brain: Cerebral Cortex and Brain Lobes
      2. 35.4.1: Brain: Midbrain and Brain Stem
      3. 35.4.2: Spinal Cord
    5. 35.5: The Peripheral Nervous System
      1. 35.5.0: Autonomic Nervous System
      2. 35.5.1: Sensory-Somatic Nervous System
    6. 35.6: Nervous System Disorders
      1. 35.6.0: Neurodegenerative Disorders
      2. 35.6.1: Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Autism and ADHD
      3. 35.6.2: Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Mental Illnesses
      4. 35.6.3: Other Neurological Disorders
  36. 36: Sensory Systems
    1. 36.1: Sensory Processes
      1. 36.1.0: Reception
      2. 36.1.1: Transduction and Perception
    2. 36.2: Somatosensation
      1. 36.2.0: Somatosensory Receptors
      2. 36.2.1: Integration of Signals from Mechanoreceptors
      3. 36.2.2: Thermoreception
    3. 36.3: Taste and Smell
      1. 36.3.0: Tastes and Odors
      2. 36.3.1: Reception and Transduction
    4. 36.4: Hearing and Vestibular Sensation
      1. 36.4.0: Sound
      2. 36.4.1: Reception of Sound
      3. 36.4.2: Transduction of Sound
      4. 36.4.3: The Vestibular System
      5. 36.4.4: Balance and Determining Equilibrium
    5. 36.5: Vision
      1. 36.5.0: Light
      2. 36.5.1: Anatomy of the Eye
      3. 36.5.2: Transduction of Light
      4. 36.5.3: Visual Processing
  37. 37: The Endocrine System
    1. 37.1: Types of Hormones
      1. 37.1.0: Hormone Functions
      2. 37.1.1: Lipid-Derived, Amino Acid-Derived, and Peptide Hormones
    2. 37.2: How Hormones Work
      1. 37.2.0: How Hormones Work
      2. 37.2.1: Intracellular Hormone Receptors
      3. 37.2.2: Plasma Membrane Hormone Receptors
    3. 37.3: Regulation of Body Processes
      1. 37.3.0: Hormonal Regulation of the Excretory System
      2. 37.3.1: Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive System
      3. 37.3.2: Hormonal Regulation of Metabolism
      4. 37.3.3: Hormonal Control of Blood Calcium Levels
      5. 37.3.4: Hormonal Regulation of Growth
      6. 37.3.5: Hormonal Regulation of Stress
    4. 37.4: Regulation of Hormone Production
      1. 37.4.0: Humoral, Hormonal, and Neural Stimuli
    5. 37.5: Endocrine Glands
      1. 37.5.0: Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
      2. 37.5.1: Thyroid Gland
      3. 37.5.2: Parathyroid Glands
      4. 37.5.3: Adrenal Glands
      5. 37.5.4: Pancreas
      6. 37.5.5: Pineal Gland and Gonads
      7. 37.5.6: Organs with Secondary Endocrine Functions
  38. 38: The Musculoskeletal System
    1. 38.1: Types of Skeletal Systems
      1. 38.1.0: Functions of the Musculoskeletal System
      2. 38.1.1: Types of Skeletal Systems
      3. 38.1.2: Human Axial Skeleton
      4. 38.1.3: Human Appendicular Skeleton
    2. 38.2: Bone
      1. 38.2.0: Bone
      2. 38.2.1: Cell Types in Bones
      3. 38.2.2: Bone Development
      4. 38.2.3: Growth of Bone
      5. 38.2.4: Bone Remodeling and Repair
    3. 38.3: Joints and Skeletal Movement
      1. 38.3.0: Classification of Joints on the Basis of Structure and Function
      2. 38.3.1: Movement at Synovial Joints
      3. 38.3.2: Types of Synovial Joints
      4. 38.3.3: Bone and Joint Disorders
    4. 38.4: Muscle Contraction and Locomotion
      1. 38.4.0: Structure and Function of the Muscular System
      2. 38.4.1: Skeletal Muscle Fibers
      3. 38.4.2: Sliding Filament Model of Contraction
      4. 38.4.3: ATP and Muscle Contraction
      5. 38.4.4: Regulatory Proteins
      6. 38.4.5: Excitation–Contraction Coupling
      7. 38.4.6: Control of Muscle Tension
  39. 39: The Respiratory System
    1. 39.1: Systems of Gas Exchange
      1. 39.1.0: The Respiratory System and Direct Diffusion
      2. 39.1.1: Skin, Gills, and Tracheal Systems
      3. 39.1.2: Amphibian and Bird Respiratory Systems
      4. 39.1.3: Mammalian Systems and Protective Mechanisms
    2. 39.2: Gas Exchange across Respiratory Surfaces
      1. 39.2.0: Gas Pressure and Respiration
      2. 39.2.1: Basic Principles of Gas Exchange
      3. 39.2.2: Lung Volumes and Capacities
      4. 39.2.3: Gas Exchange across the Alveoli
    3. 39.3: Breathing
      1. 39.3.0: The Mechanics of Human Breathing
      2. 39.3.1: Types of Breathing
      3. 39.3.2: The Work of Breathing
      4. 39.3.3: Dead Space: V/Q Mismatch
    4. 39.4: Transport of Gases in Human Bodily Fluids
      1. 39.4.0: Transport of Oxygen in the Blood
      2. 39.4.1: Transport of Carbon Dioxide in the Blood
  40. 40: The Circulatory System
    1. 40.1: Overview of the Circulatory System
      1. 40.1.0: The Role of the Circulatory System
      2. 40.1.1: Open and Closed Circulatory Systems
      3. 40.1.2: Types of Circulatory Systems in Animals
    2. 40.2: Components of the Blood
      1. 40.2.0: The Role of Blood in the Body
      2. 40.2.1: Red Blood Cells
      3. 40.2.2: White Blood Cells
      4. 40.2.3: Platelets and Coagulation Factors
      5. 40.2.4: Plasma and Serum
    3. 40.3: Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels
      1. 40.3.0: Structures of the Heart
      2. 40.3.1: Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries
      3. 40.3.2: The Cardiac Cycle
    4. 40.4: Blood Flow and Blood Pressure Regulation
      1. 40.4.0: Blood Flow Through the Body
      2. 40.4.1: Blood Pressure
  41. 41: Osmotic Regulation and the Excretory System
    1. 41.1: Osmoregulation and Osmotic Balance
      1. 41.1.0: Introduction to Osmoregulation
      2. 41.1.1: Transport of Electrolytes across Cell Membranes
      3. 41.1.2: Concept of Osmolality and Milliequivalent
      4. 41.1.3: Osmoregulators and Osmoconformers
    2. 41.2: Nitrogenous Wastes
      1. 41.2.0: Nitrogenous Waste in Terrestrial Animals: The Urea Cycle
      2. 41.2.1: Nitrogenous Waste in Birds and Reptiles: Uric Acid
    3. 41.3: Excretion Systems
      1. 41.3.0: Contractile Vacuoles in Microorganisms
      2. 41.3.1: Flame Cells of Planaria and Nephridia of Worms
      3. 41.3.2: Malpighian Tubules of Insects
    4. 41.4: Human Osmoregulatory and Excretory Systems
      1. 41.4.0: Kidney Structure
      2. 41.4.1: Nephron: The Functional Unit of the Kidney
      3. 41.4.2: Kidney Function and Physiology
    5. 41.5: Hormonal Control of Osmoregulatory Functions
      1. 41.5.0: Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
      2. 41.5.1: Other Hormonal Controls for Osmoregulation
  42. 42: The Immune System
    1. 42.1: Innate Immune Response
      1. 42.1.0: Innate Immune Response
      2. 42.1.1: Physical and Chemical Barriers
      3. 42.1.2: Pathogen Recognition
      4. 42.1.3: Natural Killer Cells
      5. 42.1.4: The Complement System
    2. 42.2: Adaptive Immune Response
      1. 42.2.0: Antigen-presenting Cells: B and T cells
      2. 42.2.1: Humoral Immune Response
      3. 42.2.2: Cell-Mediated Immunity
      4. 42.2.3: Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Mucosal Surfaces
      5. 42.2.4: Immunological Memory
      6. 42.2.5: Regulating Immune Tolerance
    3. 42.3: Antibodies
      1. 42.3.0: Antibody Structure
      2. 42.3.1: Antibody Functions
    4. 42.4: Disruptions in the Immune System
      1. 42.4.0: Immunodeficiency
      2. 42.4.1: Hypersensitivities
  43. 43: Animal Reproduction and Development
    1. 43.1: Reproduction Methods
      1. 43.1.0: Methods of Reproducing
      2. 43.1.1: Types of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
      3. 43.1.2: Sex Determination
    2. 43.2: Fertilization
      1. 43.2.0: External and Internal Fertilization
      2. 43.2.1: The Evolution of Reproduction
    3. 43.3: Human Reproductive Anatomy and Gametogenesis
      1. 43.3.0: Male Reproductive Anatomy
      2. 43.3.1: Female Reproductive Anatomy
      3. 43.3.2: Gametogenesis (Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis)
    4. 43.4: Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction
      1. 43.4.0: Male Hormones
      2. 43.4.1: Female Hormones
    5. 43.5: Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development
      1. 43.5.0: Fertilization
      2. 43.5.1: Cleavage, the Blastula Stage, and Gastrulation
    6. 43.6: Organogenesis and Vertebrate Formation
      1. 43.6.0: Organogenesis
      2. 43.6.1: Vertebrate Axis Formation
    7. 43.7: Human Pregnancy and Birth
      1. 43.7.0: Human Gestation
      2. 43.7.1: Labor and Birth
      3. 43.7.2: Contraception and Birth Control
      4. 43.7.3: Infertility
  44. 44: Ecology and the Biosphere
    1. 44.1: The Scope of Ecology
      1. 44.1.0: Introduction to Ecology
      2. 44.1.1: Organismal Ecology and Population Ecology
      3. 44.1.2: Community Ecology and Ecosystem Ecology
    2. 44.2: Biogeography
      1. 44.2.0: Biogeography
      2. 44.2.1: Energy Sources
      3. 44.2.2: Temperature and Water
      4. 44.2.3: Inorganic Nutrients and Other Factors
      5. 44.2.4: Abiotic Factors Influencing Plant Growth
    3. 44.3: Terrestrial Biomes
      1. 44.3.0: What constitutes a biome?
      2. 44.3.1: Tropical Wet Forest and Savannas
      3. 44.3.2: Subtropical Deserts and Chaparral
      4. 44.3.3: Temperate Grasslands
      5. 44.3.4: Temperate Forests
      6. 44.3.5: Boreal Forests and Arctic Tundra
    4. 44.4: Aquatic Biomes
      1. 44.4.0: Abiotic Factors Influencing Aquatic Biomes
      2. 44.4.1: Marine Biomes
      3. 44.4.2: Estuaries: Where the Ocean Meets Fresh Water
      4. 44.4.3: Freshwater Biomes
    5. 44.5: Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change
      1. 44.5.0: Climate and Weather
      2. 44.5.1: Causes of Global Climate Change
      3. 44.5.2: Evidence of Global Climate Change
      4. 44.5.3: Past and Present Effects of Climate Change
  45. 45: Population and Community Ecology
    1. 45.1: Population Demography
      1. 45.1.0: Population Demography
      2. 45.1.1: Population Size and Density
      3. 45.1.2: Species Distribution
      4. 45.1.3: The Study of Population Dynamics
    2. 45.2: Environmental Limits to Population Growth
      1. 45.2.0: Exponential Population Growth
      2. 45.2.1: Logistic Population Growth
      3. 45.2.2: Density-Dependent and Density-Independent Population Regulation
    3. 45.3: Life History Patterns
      1. 45.3.0: Life History Patterns and Energy Budgets
      2. 45.3.1: Theories of Life History
    4. 45.4: Human Population Growth
      1. 45.4.0: Human Population Growth
      2. 45.4.1: Overcoming Density-Dependent Regulation
      3. 45.4.2: Age Structure, Population Growth, and Economic Development
    5. 45.5: Community Ecology
      1. 45.5.0: The Role of Species within Communities
      2. 45.5.1: Predation, Herbivory, and the Competitive Exclusion Principle
      3. 45.5.2: Symbiosis
      4. 45.5.3: Ecological Succession
    6. 45.6: Innate Animal Behavior
      1. 45.6.0: Introduction to Animal Behavior
      2. 45.6.1: Movement and Migration
      3. 45.6.2: Animal Communication and Living in Groups
      4. 45.6.3: Altruism and Populations
      5. 45.6.4: Mating Systems and Sexual Selection
    7. 45.7: Learned Animal Behavior
      1. 45.7.0: Simple Learned Behaviors
      2. 45.7.1: Conditioned Behavior
      3. 45.7.2: Cognitive Learning and Sociobiology
  46. 46: Ecosystems
    1. 46.1: Ecology of Ecosystems
      1. 46.1.0: Ecosystem Dynamics
      2. 46.1.1: Food Chains and Food Webs
      3. 46.1.2: Studying Ecosystem Dynamics
      4. 46.1.3: Modeling Ecosystem Dynamics
    2. 46.2: Energy Flow through Ecosystems
      1. 46.2.0: Strategies for Acquiring Energy
      2. 46.2.1: Productivity within Trophic Levels
      3. 46.2.2: Transfer of Energy between Trophic Levels
      4. 46.2.3: Ecological Pyramids
      5. 46.2.4: Biological Magnification
    3. 46.3: Biogeochemical Cycles
      1. 46.3.0: Biogeochemical Cycles
      2. 46.3.1: The Water (Hydrologic) Cycle
      3. 46.3.2: The Carbon Cycle
      4. 46.3.3: The Nitrogen Cycle
      5. 46.3.4: The Phosphorus Cycle
      6. 46.3.5: The Sulfur Cycle
  47. 47: Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
    1. 47.1: The Biodiversity Crisis
      1. 47.1.0: Loss of Biodiversity
      2. 47.1.1: Types of Biodiversity
      3. 47.1.2: Biodiversity Change through Geological Time
      4. 47.1.3: The Pleistocene Extinction
      5. 47.1.4: Present-Time Extinctions
    2. 47.2: The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Life
      1. 47.2.0: Human Health and Biodiversity
      2. 47.2.1: Agricultural Diversity
      3. 47.2.2: Managing Fisheries
    3. 47.3: Threats to Biodiversity
      1. 47.3.0: Habitat Loss and Sustainability
      2. 47.3.1: Overharvesting
      3. 47.3.2: Exotic Species
      4. 47.3.3: Climate Change and Biodiversity
    4. 47.4: Preserving Biodiversity
      1. 47.4.0: Measuring Biodiversity
      2. 47.4.1: Changing Human Behavior in Response to Biodiversity Loss
      3. 47.4.2: Ecological Restoration

40.3: Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels

40.3.1: Structures of the Heart

The heart pumps blood through the body with the help of structures such as ventricles, atria, and valves.

Learning Objective

Diagram the anatomical structure of the heart

Key Points

  • The heart is divided into four chambers consisting of two atria and two ventricles; the atria receive blood, while the ventricles pump blood.
  • The right atrium receives blood from the superior and inferior vena cavas and the coronary sinus; blood then moves to the right ventricle where it is pumped to the lungs.
  • The lungs re-oxygenate the blood and send it to the left atrium.
  • Blood moves from the left atrium to the left ventricle via the bicuspid valve; blood is pumped out of the left ventricle to the aorta, which sends blood to the organs and muscles of the body.
  • The heart is composed of three layers: the epicardium (outer layer), the myocardium (middle layer), and the endocardium (inner layer).

Key Terms

aorta

the largest artery in the human body which carries the blood from the heart to all parts of the body except the lungs

inferior vena cava

large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower half of the body to the right atrium of the heart

superior vena cava

large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the right atrium of the heart

Structure of the Heart

The heart is a complex muscle that pumps blood through the three divisions of the circulatory system: the coronary (vessels that serve the heart), pulmonary (heart and lungs), and systemic (systems of the body). Coronary circulation intrinsic to the heart takes blood directly from the main artery (aorta) coming from the heart. For pulmonary and systemic circulation, the heart has to pump blood to the lungs or the rest of the body, respectively .

Circulatory System

Circulatory System

The mammalian circulatory system is divided into three circuits: the systemic circuit, the pulmonary circuit, and the coronary circuit. Blood is pumped from veins of the systemic circuit into the right atrium of the heart, then into the right ventricle. Blood then enters the pulmonary circuit and is oxygenated by the lungs. From the pulmonary circuit, blood re-enters the heart through the left atrium. From the left ventricle, blood re-enters the systemic circuit through the aorta and is distributed to the rest of the body. The coronary circuit, which provides blood to the heart, is not shown.

The heart muscle is asymmetrical as a result of the distance blood must travel in the pulmonary and systemic circuits. Since the right side of the heart sends blood to the pulmonary circuit, it is smaller than the left side, which must send blood out to the whole body in the systemic circuit.

In humans, the heart is about the size of a clenched fist. It is divided into four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. There are one atrium and one ventricle on the right side and one atrium and one ventricle on the left side. The atria are the chambers that receive blood while the ventricles are the chambers that pump blood. The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior vena cava, which drains blood from the veins of the upper organs and arms. The right atrium also receives blood from the inferior vena cava, which drains blood from the veins of the lower organs and legs. In addition, the right atrium receives blood from the coronary sinus, which drains deoxygenated blood from the heart itself. This deoxygenated blood then passes to the right ventricle through the right atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve), a flap of connective tissue that opens in only one direction to prevent the backflow of blood. After it is filled, the right ventricle pumps the blood through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs for re-oxygenation. After blood passes through the pulmonary arteries, the right semilunar valves close, preventing the blood from flowing backwards into the right ventricle. The left atrium then receives the oxygen-rich blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. The valve separating the chambers on the left side of the heart is called the biscuspid or mitral valve (left atrioventricular valve).The blood passes through the bicuspid valve to the left ventricle where it is pumped out through the aorta, the major artery of the body, taking oxygenated blood to the organs and muscles of the body. Once blood is pumped out of the left ventricle and into the aorta, the aortic semilunar valve (or aortic valve) closes, preventing blood from flowing backward into the left ventricle. This pattern of pumping is referred to as double circulation and is found in all mammals.

Human Heart

Human Heart

(a) The heart is primarily made of a thick muscle layer, called the myocardium, surrounded by membranes. One-way valves separate the four chambers. (b) Blood vessels of the coronary system, including the coronary arteries and veins, keep the heart muscles oxygenated.

Layers of the Heart

The heart is composed of three layers: the epicardium, the myocardium, and the endocardium. The inner wall of the heart is lined by the endocardium. The myocardium consists of the heart muscle cells that make up the middle layer and the bulk of the heart wall. The outer layer of cells is called the epicardium, the second layer of which is a membranous layered structure (the pericardium) that surrounds and protects the heart; it allows enough room for vigorous pumping, but also keeps the heart in place, reducing friction between the heart and other structures.

Blood Vessels

The heart has its own blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood. The coronary arteries branch from the aorta, surrounding the outer surface of the heart like a crown. They diverge into capillaries where the heart muscle is supplied with oxygen before converging again into the coronary veins to take the deoxygenated blood back to the right atrium, where the blood will be re-oxygenated through the pulmonary circuit.

Atherosclerosis is the blockage of an artery by the buildup of fatty plaques. The heart muscle will die without a steady supply of blood; because of the narrow size of the coronary arteries and their function in serving the heart itself, atherosclerosis can be deadly in these arteries. The slowing of blood flow and subsequent oxygen deprivation can cause severe pain, known as angina. Complete blockage of the arteries will cause myocardial infarction—death of cardiac muscle tissue—which is commonly known as a heart attack.

40.3.2: Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries

Blood vessels include arteries, capillaries, and veins which are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.

Learning Objective

Explain the structure of arteries, veins, and capillaries and how blood flows through the body

Key Points

  • Arteries carry blood away from the heart; the main artery is the aorta.
  • Smaller arteries called arterioles diverge into capillary beds, which contain 10-100 capillaries that branch among the cells and tissues of the body.
  • Capillaries carry blood away from the body and exchange nutrients, waste, and oxygen with tissues at the cellular level.
  • Veins are blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart and drain blood from organs and limbs.
  • Capillaries have one layer of cells (the endothelial tunic or tunica intima) where diffusion and exchange of materials takes place.
  • Veins and arteries have two more tunics that surround the endothelium: the middle tunica media is composed of smooth muscle that regulates blood flow, while the outer tunica externa is connective tissue that supports blood vessels.

Key Terms

vasodilation

dilation of the blood vessels

vasoconstriction

constriction of a blood vessel

venule

small vein, especially one that connects capillaries to a larger vein

Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries

The blood from the heart is carried through the body by a complex network of blood vessels . Arteries take blood away from the heart. The main artery is the aorta that branches into other major arteries, which take blood to different limbs and organs. These major arteries include the carotid artery, which takes blood to the brain; the brachial arteries, which take blood to the arms; and the thoracic artery, which takes blood to the thorax and then into the hepatic, renal, and gastric arteries for the liver, kidneys, and stomach, respectively. The iliac artery takes blood to the lower limbs. The major arteries diverge into minor arteries, and then into smaller vessels called arterioles, to reach more deeply into the muscles and organs of the body.

Major arteries and veins

Major arteries and veins

The blood from the heart is carried through the body by a complex network of blood vessels. This diagram illustrates the major human arteries and veins of the human body.

Arterioles diverge into capillary beds. Capillary beds contain a large number (10 to 100) of capillaries that branch among the cells and tissues of the body. Capillaries are narrow-diameter tubes that can fit red blood cells in single-file lines and are the sites for the exchange of nutrients, waste, and oxygen with tissues at the cellular level. Fluid also crosses into the interstitial space from the capillaries. The capillaries converge again into venules that connect to minor veins, which connect to major veins that take blood high in carbon dioxide back to the heart. The major veins drain blood from the same organs and limbs that the major arteries supply. Fluid is also brought back to the heart via the lymphatic system.

The structure of the different types of blood vessels reflects their function or layers. There are three distinct layers, or tunics, that form the walls of blood vessels . The inner, tunica intima is a smooth, inner lining of endothelial cells that are in contact with the red blood cells. This tunic is continuous with the endocardium of the heart. Unlike veins and arteries, capillaries have only one tunic; this single layer of cells is the location of diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the endothelial cells and red blood cells, as well as the exchange site via endocytosis and exocytosis. The movement of materials at the site of capillaries is regulated by vasoconstriction, narrowing of the blood vessels, and vasodilation, widening of the blood vessels; this is important in the overall regulation of blood pressure.

Blood vessel layers

Blood vessel layers

Arteries and veins consist of three layers: an outer tunica externa, a middle tunica media, and an inner tunica intima. Capillaries consist of a single layer of epithelial cells, the endothelium tunic (tunica intima).

Veins and arteries both have two further tunics that surround the endothelium: the middle, tunica media is composed of smooth muscle, while the outer tunica externa is connective tissue (collagen and elastic fibers). The elastic, connective tissue stretches and supports the blood vessels, while the smooth muscle layer helps regulate blood flow by altering vascular resistance through vasoconstriction and vasodilation. The arteries have thicker smooth muscle and connective tissue than the veins to accommodate the higher pressure and speed of freshly-pumped blood. The veins are thinner walled as the pressure and rate of flow are much lower. In addition, veins are structurally different from arteries in that veins have valves to prevent the backflow of blood. Because veins have to work against gravity to get blood back to the heart, contraction of skeletal muscle assists with the flow of blood back to the heart.

40.3.3: The Cardiac Cycle

The cardiac cycle uses mechanical actions and electrical signals to push blood in and out of the heart.

Learning Objective

Summarize the caridac cycle and explain the role of the SA node and the AV node in regulating the its rhythm

Key Points

  • During the cardiac cycle, the heart contracts via systole, pushing blood out of the heart, and relaxes via diastole, filling the heart with blood.
  • Cardiomyocytes, or cardiac cells, are striated and are responsible for the pumping of the heart; they are the only muscle cells with intercalated disks.
  • The heart's internal pacemaker regulates and times the beating of the heart via electrical signals.
  • Electrical signals start at the SA node, causing atria contraction, and then move on to AV node, delaying electrical impulses to allow blood from the atrium to fill the ventricles.
  • Signals move from the AV node to the bundle of His and then to the Prukinje fibers, which then allows the ventricles to contract.

Key Terms

systole

rhythmic contraction of the heart, by which blood is driven through the arteries

diastole

relaxation and dilation of the heart chambers, between contractions, during which they fill with blood

sinoatrial (SA) node

impulse-generating (pacemaker) tissue located in the right atrium of the heart, and thus the generator of normal sinus rhythm

bundle of His

specialized heart muscle cells that transmit electrical impulses from the AV node in the heart to the muscle cells of the heart wall, which contract in response producing the heart beat

atrioventricular (AV) node

part of the electrical control system of the heart that coordinates the top of the heart; electrically connects atrial and ventricular chambers

The Cardiac Cycle

The main purpose of the heart is to pump blood through the body; it does so in a repeating sequence called the cardiac cycle. The cardiac cycle is the coordination of the filling and emptying of blood by electrical signals that cause the heart muscles to contract and relax. The human heart beats over 100,000 times per day. In each cardiac cycle, the heart contracts (systole), pushing out the blood and pumping it through the body. This is followed by a relaxation phase (diastole), where the heart fills with blood . The atria contract at the same time, forcing blood through the atrioventricular valves into the ventricles. Closing of the atrioventricular valves produces a monosyllabic "lup" sound. Following a brief delay, the ventricles contract at the same time forcing blood through the semilunar valves into the aorta and the pulmonary artery (which transports blood to the lungs). Closing of the semilunar valves produces a monosyllabic "dup" sound.

Diastole and systole

Diastole and systole

(a) During cardiac diastole, the heart muscle is relaxed and blood flows into the heart. (b) During atrial systole, the atria contract, pushing blood into the ventricles. (c) During atrial diastole, the ventricles contract, forcing blood out of the heart.

The pumping of the heart is a function of the cardiac muscle cells, or cardiomyocytes, that comprise the heart muscle. Cardiomyocytes are distinctive muscle cells that are striated like skeletal muscle, but pump rhythmically and involuntarily like smooth muscle; they are connected by intercalated disks exclusive to cardiac muscle . Cardiomyocytes are self-stimulated for a period of time; isolated cardiomyocytes will beat if given the correct balance of nutrients and electrolytes.

Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes are striated muscle cells found in cardiac tissue.

The autonomous beating of cardiac muscle cells is regulated by the heart's internal pacemaker that uses electrical signals to time the beating of the heart. The electrical signals and mechanical actions are intimately intertwined . The internal pacemaker starts at the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is located near the wall of the right atrium. Electrical charges spontaneously pulse from the SA node, causing the two atria to contract in unison. The pulse reaches a second node, the atrioventricular (AV) node, between the right atrium and right ventricle, where it pauses for approximately 0.1 seconds before spreading to the walls of the ventricles. This pause allows the blood in the atria to empty completely into the ventricles before the ventricles pump out the blood. From the AV node, the electrical impulse enters the bundle of His, then to the left and right bundle branches extending through the interventricular septum. Finally, the Purkinje fibers conduct the impulse from the apex of the heart up the ventricular myocardium, causing the ventricles to contract. The electrical impulses in the heart produce electrical currents that flow through the body and can be measured on the skin using electrodes. This information can be observed as an electrocardiogram (ECG): a recording of the electrical impulses of the cardiac muscle.

Electrical signals

Electrical signals

The beating of the heart is regulated by an electrical impulse that causes the characteristic reading of an ECG. The signal is initiated at the sinoatrial valve. The signal then (a) spreads to the atria, causing them to contract. The signal is (b) delayed at the atrioventricular node before it is passed on to the (c) heart apex. The delay allows the atria to relax before the (d) ventricles contract. The final part of the ECG cycle prepares the heart for the next beat.

Attributions

  • Structures of the Heart
    • "Boundless." http://www.boundless.com/. Boundless Learning CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "superior vena cava." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/superior%20vena%20cava. Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "inferior vena cava." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/inferior%20vena%20cava. Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "aorta." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/aorta. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. December 3, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/?collection=col11448/latest. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/?collection=col11448/latest. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. December 3, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/?collection=col11448/latest. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_02ab.png. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
  • Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. October 17, 2013." http://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/biology. OpenStax CNX CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "vasodilation." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vasodilation. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "vasoconstriction." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vasoconstriction. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/?collection=col11448/latest. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "venule." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/venule. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_07.jpg. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_06.jpg. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
  • The Cardiac Cycle
    • "Boundless." http://www.boundless.com/. Boundless Learning CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "atrioventricular (AV) node." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/atrioventricular%20(AV)%20node. Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "sinoatrial (SA) node." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/sinoatrial%20(SA)%20node. Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "bundle of His." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/bundle_of_His. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "systole." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/systole. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Biology. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/?collection=col11448/latest. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "diastole." http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/diastole. Wiktionary CC BY-SA 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_04.jpg. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_03.jpg. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.
    • "OpenStax College, Mammalian Heart and Blood Vessels. October 17, 2013." http://cnx.org/content/m44805/latest/Figure_40_03_05.jpg. OpenStax CNX CC BY 3.0.

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