Lab Practical Exam Topics – Page 1 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering anatomical regions, directional terms, body cavities, organ systems, cell cycle, organelles, acids/bases/buffers, diffusion/osmosis, and histology.

Proximal

Near the point of origin or attachment; closer to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the point of origin or attachment; farther from the trunk.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline; toward the side.

Superior

Above; toward the head.

Inferior

Below; toward the feet.

Elbow is distal to the shoulder

Elbow is farther from the trunk than the shoulder.

Dorsal cavity

Posterior body cavity housing the brain (cranial) and spinal cord (vertebral).

Cranial cavity

Subpart of the dorsal cavity that houses the brain.

Spinal (vertebral) cavity

Subpart of the dorsal cavity that houses the spinal cord.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Cavity that contains the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal cavity

Part of the ventral body cavity containing stomach, liver, intestines, and many digestive organs.

Pelvic cavity

Part of the ventral body cavity containing urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and portions of the intestines.

Abdominal organs

Organs located in the abdominal cavity (e.g., stomach, liver, intestines).

Pelvic organs

Organs located in the pelvic cavity (e.g., bladder, reproductive organs).

Integumentary system

Protects the body from injury and infection; helps regulate temperature; includes skin, hair, nails.

Skeletal system

Supports and protects the body; enables movement; produces blood cells; stores minerals.

Muscular system

Produces movement, maintains posture, generates heat.

Nervous system

Controls body activities via electrical signals; brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Endocrine system

Secretes hormones to regulate body functions.

Circulatory (cardiovascular) system

Transports blood, nutrients, gases, and wastes; includes heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic/immune system

Returns interstitial fluid to the blood and defends against pathogens.

Respiratory system

Exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between air and blood.

Digestive system

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients for energy and growth.

Urinary system

Filters blood to remove wastes; maintains fluid and electrolyte balance.

Reproductive system

Produces gametes and, in females, supports development of offspring.

Interphase

Stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows and DNA is replicated (G1, S, G2).

S phase

DNA replication occurs during this phase.

Mitosis

Nuclear division producing two genetically identical nuclei; stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.

Prophase

Chromosomes condense; nuclear envelope breaks down; spindle forms.

Metaphase

Chromosomes align at the cell equator.

Anaphase

Sister chromatids separate and move toward opposite poles.

Telophase

Nuclei reform around separated chromatids; chromosomes de-condense.

Cytokinesis

Division of cytoplasm creating two distinct daughter cells.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell; contains DNA and nucleolus.

Cytoplasm

Fluid and organelles between the plasma membrane and nucleus; site of many metabolic processes.

Golgi apparatus

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins for secretion or delivery to destinations.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell; generate ATP via cellular respiration.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

Studded with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins destined for secretion or membranes.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

Lacks ribosomes; synthesizes lipids and detoxifies substances.

Ribosomes

Small particles that synthesize proteins.

Acid

Substance that donates H+ ions in solution (Arrhenius); pH below 7.

Base

Substance that accepts H+ or donates OH-; pH above 7.

pH

A logarithmic scale measuring how acidic or basic a solution is.

Buffer

Substance that resists pH changes by neutralizing added acids or bases.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from higher to lower concentration.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Isotonic solution

Solute concentration equal to that inside the cell; no net water movement.

Hypertonic solution

Higher solute concentration outside the cell; water exits and cells shrink.

Hypotonic solution

Lower solute concentration outside the cell; water enters and cells swell.

Extracellular matrix

Non-cellular component of connective tissue composed of proteins and carbohydrates.

Epithelial tissue

Cells that line surfaces and glands; characterized by polarity and tight junctions.

Connective tissue

Tissues that support, bind, and protect; rich in extracellular matrix.

Muscle tissue

Tissues specialized for contraction; skeletal, smooth, and cardiac types.

Nervous tissue

Tissues that transmit electrical impulses; neurons and supporting cells.

Epithelial tissue locations

Lines body surfaces and cavities, e.g., skin, lining of intestines.

Connective tissue locations

Found throughout the body; includes bone, blood, cartilage, adipose, tendons.

Muscle tissue locations

Found in skeletal muscles, heart, and walls of hollow organs.

Nervous tissue locations

Found in brain, spinal cord, and nerves.