Human Anatomy, Structural Organization, Organ Systems, and Metabolism

Vocabulary flashcards defining gross and microscopic anatomy, six levels of body organization, eleven human organ systems and their functions, and metabolic reactions.

Gross Anatomy

The branch of anatomy that considers large structures such as the brain.

Microscopic Anatomy

The branch of anatomy that deals with structures at a microscopic scale, such as nerve cells from the brain.

Chemical Level

The level of structural organization where atoms bond to form molecules with three-dimensional structures.

Cellular Level

The level of structural organization where a variety of molecules combine to form the fluid and organelles of a body cell.

Tissue Level

The level of structural organization where a community of similar cells form a body tissue.

Organ Level

The level of structural organization where two or more different tissues combine to form an organ.

Organ System Level

The level of structural organization where two or more organs work closely together to perform the functions of a body system.

Organismal Level

The level of structural organization where many organ systems work harmoniously together to perform the functions of an independent organism.

Integumentary System

An organ system that encloses internal body structures and serves as the site of many sensory receptors; includes hair, skin, and nails.

Skeletal System

An organ system that supports the body and enables movement together with the muscular system; includes cartilage, bones, and joints.

Muscular System

An organ system that enables movement together with the skeletal system and helps maintain body temperature; includes skeletal muscles and tendons.

Nervous System

An organ system that detects and processes sensory information and activates bodily responses; includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Endocrine System

An organ system that secretes hormones and regulates bodily processes; includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries.

Cardiovascular System

An organ system that delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and equalizes temperature in the body; includes the heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic System

An organ system that returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens; includes the thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, and lymphatic vessels.

Respiratory System

An organ system that removes carbon dioxide from the body and delivers oxygen to blood; includes the nasal passage, trachea, and lungs.

Digestive System

An organ system that processes food for use by the body and removes wastes from undigested food; includes the stomach, liver, gall bladder, large intestine, and small intestine.

Urinary System

An organ system that controls water balance in the body, removes wastes from blood, and excretes them; includes the kidneys and urinary bladder.

Male Reproductive System

An organ system that produces sex hormones and gametes, and delivers gametes to female; includes the epididymis and testes.

Female Reproductive System

An organ system that produces sex hormones and gametes, supports embryo/fetus until birth, and produces milk for infant; includes mammary glands, ovaries, and uterus.

Metabolism

The sum of both breaking down and building mechanisms in the body, encompassing anabolic and catabolic reactions.

Anabolism

Building reactions in the body that consume or require energy.

Catabolism

Reactions in the body that break materials down and release energy.