Animal Anatomy & Physiology — Strand 2: Animal Science Study Notes

Anatomy

Describes the structure of body parts and their arrangement.

Physiology

Explains the function of body parts and how they work.

Cells

The basic unit of life; diverse in shape and organelle structure based on function.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells working together.

Organs

Structures composed of multiple tissues performing specific functions.

Organ systems

Groups of organs that cooperate to perform complex functions.

Organism

The complete living entity made up of interacting organ systems.

Dorsal

Toward the back or spine.

Ventral

Toward the belly.

Cranial

Toward the head.

Caudal

Toward the tail.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk of the body (in limbs).

Distal

Farther from the trunk of the body (in limbs).

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

Negative feedback

A control mechanism that reverses a change to maintain set points.

Positive feedback

A mechanism that amplifies change until an external event stops it.

Cell membrane

A selectively permeable barrier composed of a phospholipid bilayer.

Nucleus

The cellular organelle that contains DNA and controls gene expression.

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate ATP through cellular respiration.

Ribosomes

The cellular structures involved in protein synthesis.

Active transport

Movement of substances against a concentration gradient using energy.

Diffusion

Passive movement of substances down their concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Epithelial tissue

Covers surfaces and lines cavities, essential for protection and absorption.

Connective tissue

Supports and binds different tissues, often contains extracellular matrix.

Muscle tissue

Responsible for movement, includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles.

Nervous tissue

Comprises neurons and support cells for communication and control.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow and release heat.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow and conserve heat.

Cardiac output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute; calculated as heart rate times stroke volume.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Neurons

Cells in the nervous system that transmit signals.

Hormones

Chemical messengers in the endocrine system that act on target tissues.

Innate immunity

The body's initial, general defense mechanisms against pathogens.

Adaptive immunity

Specific immune responses that form memory, targeting particular pathogens.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Regulates water reabsorption in kidneys.

Estrous cycle

The reproductive cycle in female mammals involving hormonal changes.

Lactation

The physiological process of milk production and secretion.

Inflammation

The body's protective response to injury or infection, causing heat, redness, and swelling.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood and forms urine.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where exchange of gases and nutrients occurs.

Spongy bone

A lighter, porous type of bone found at the ends of long bones.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary muscle attached to bones, responsible for movement.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle found in hollow organs, controlled by autonomic nervous system.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary muscle that makes up the heart, responsible for pumping blood.

Respiration

The process of exchanging gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into absorbable units for nutrition.

Excretion

The process of removing waste products from the body.

Electrolyte balance

The maintenance of proper concentrations of ions in the body fluids.