Lectures 1 & 2

cell theory

All organisms are made of one or more cells; cells are the smallest unit of life; all cells arise from pre-existing cells

prokaryotic cell

Lacks a nucleus and does not have an extensive system of internal membranes (all bacteria and archaea)

eukaryotic cell

Has a nucleus and internal membrane-bound compartments (organelles)

plasma membrane

Forms the boundary of the cell and controls its permeability to water or dissolved substances

flagellum (plural, flagella)

A long, threadlike structure of protein fibers that extends from the cell surface; aids in locomotion and feeding

pilus (plural, pili)

Short structure that aids in attaching to substrates and in exchanging genetic information between cells

nucleus

A membrane-bounded compartment for DNA; responsible for information storage and processing; contains the cells’ chromosomes; distinct region called the nucleolus - ribosomal RNA synthesis

rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER)

Network of membrane-bound tubes and sacs studded with ribosomes; continuous with the nuclear envelope

smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER)

Enzymes within synthesize fatty acids/phospholipids and break down poisonous lipids; lacks ribosomes

Golgi body/apparatus

Processes, sorts, and ships proteins synthesized in the rough ER; membranous vesicles carry materials to and from the organelle

ribosomes

Non-membranous structure responsible for protein synthesis; attached to the rough ER or free in the cytosol

lysosomes

Single-membrane-bound structures containing approximately 40 different digestive enzymes; used for digestion and waste processing

mitochondria

Produces ATP; contains two membranes - the inner one is folded into a series of sac-like cristae (contains mitochondrial matrix)

endocytosis

The engulfing of substances outside of the cell, forming a vesicle that brings the substances inside the cell

autophagy

Destroying cell-created material; a damaged organelle/material is surrounded by membrane and delivered to the lysosome for recycling

phagocytosis

Destroying foreign material; cell membrane surrounds foreign material, bringing it into the cell and creating a phagosome, which is delivered to the lysosome for digestion

pinocytosis

Endocytosis of liquid matter

receptor-mediated endocytosis

Receptor proteins sit in a “coated pit” where target molecules will attach to them, forming a coated vesicle

exocytosis

The discharge of substances from vesicles at the cell surface; plasma membrane surrounds the substance, creating a secretory vesicle, then the membrane merges with cell membrane to release the secretory product from the cell

active transport

Utilizes protein channels that open only when energy is supplied to pump substances against or up their concentration gradient; allows cells to maintain high or low concentration of certain molecules

sodium-potassium (Na+ - K+) pump

Uses energy in the form of ATP to pump three Na+ out of the cell and pump two K+ into the cell

anatomy

The study of structure

gross anatomy

The study of structures that can be seen with the naked eye

histology

Microscopic anatomy; examination of tissues with microscope

histopathology

Microscopic examination of tissues for signs of disease

cytology

Study of structure and function of cells; fine detail (ultrastructure) may be resolved using an electron microscope

physiology

Study of function

neurophysiology

Physiology of nervous system

endocrinology

Physiology of hormones

pathophysiology

Mechanisms of disease

comparative physiology

Study of different species to learn about body functions; the basis of much of our understanding of human physiology and the development of new drugs/medical procedures

inspection

Examination of appearance

palpation

Feeling a structure with the hands

auscultation

Listening to sounds produced by the body

percussion

Tap on the body, feel for resistance, and listen to emitted sound for abnormalities

dissection

Cutting and separating human body tissues to reveal tissue relationships; use a cadaver

comparative anatomy

Study of multiple species to learn about form, function, and evolution

exploratory surgery

Opening the living body to see what is wrong (now replaced by medical imaging to view inside without surgery)

radiology

Branch of medicine specializing in imaging

organization

Characteristic of life: living things exhibit a higher level of organization than nonliving things

cellular composition

Characteristic of life: living matter is always compartmentalized into one or more cells

metabolism

Characteristic of life; the sum of internal chemical change

responsiveness

Characteristic of life: the ability to sense and react to changes in environment

movement

Characteristic of life: movement of the entire organism or of substances within the organism

homeostasis

Characteristic of life; maintaining relatively stable internal conditions - detecting change, activating mechanisms that oppose it, and thereby maintaining relatively stable internal conditions

development

Characteristic of life; the change in form or function over time, through differentiation or growth

differentiation

The transformation of unspecialized cells into cells with a committed task

growth

An increase in size through chemical change

reproduction

Characteristic of life; organisms produce copies of themselves and pass genes to offspring

evolution

Characteristic of life; a genetic change from generation to generation, occurring due to mutations (change in DNA structure)

reference man

A 22 y/o, 154 lb man who performs light physical activity and consumes 2800 kcal/day

reference woman

A 22 y/o, 128 lb woman who performs light physical activity and consumes 2000 kcal/day

negative feedback

A mechanism that keeps a variable close to set point; the body senses a change and reverses it; allows for dynamic equilibrium within a limited range around a set point

feedback loops

Feedback mechanisms alter the original changes that triggered them

positive feedback

A self-amplifying cycle that leads to greater change in the same direction, as opposed to the corrective action of negative feedback

allostasis

The formation of a new set point due to chronic reoccurrence

vasodilation

Skin blood vessels dilate and sweating begins to lose heat

vasoconstriction

Skin blood vessels constrict and shivering begins to gain heat

gradient

Difference in chemical concentration, charge, temperature, or pressure between two points

tissue perfusion

The passage of fluid and nutrient-rich blood through the circulatory system to deliver fresh oxygen and nutrients directly to the cells of an organ or tissue