Human Anatomy and Physiology Study Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental human anatomy, physiological systems, levels of organization, directional terms, feedback loops, biochemistry, and cell biology.

Anatomy

The study of what body parts are and where they are located.

Physiology

The study of how body parts work.

Structure Dictates Function

The principle that the physical structure of an organ or tissue allows it to perform its specific function.

Chemical Level

The simplest level of structural organization, where atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular Level

The level of organization where cells are made up of complex molecules.

Tissue Level

The level of organization consisting of groups of similar types of cells working together.

Organ Level

The level of organization made up of different types of tissues combined together.

Organ System Level

The level of organization consisting of different organs that work together closely.

Organismal Level

The highest level of structural organization, representing the human organism made up of many organ systems.

Integumentary System

Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues from injury, synthesizes Vitamin D, and houses cutaneous receptors and sweat/oil glands.

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscle movement, forms blood cells within bones, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression; maintains posture; and produces heat.

Nervous System

The fast-acting control system of the body that responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Glands that secrete hormones to regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Cardiovascular System

System in which blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes, while the heart pumps the blood.

Lymphatic System

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood, disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream, and houses white blood cells (lymphocytes) involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide via gas exchanges occurring through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs.

Digestive System

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells, eliminating indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous waste from the body and regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable internal environment despite internal and external changes.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A disturbance in homeostasis that increases the risk for illness and produces changes associated with aging.

Negative Feedback

A feedback loop mechanism that reverses the original change to counteract disturbances (e.g., body temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure).

Positive Feedback

A feedback loop mechanism that amplifies the original change until a specific event ends the loop (e.g., childbirth, blood clotting).

Superior

Directional term meaning above (e.g., the head is superior to the chest).

Inferior

Directional term meaning below (e.g., the stomach is inferior to the heart).

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning front (e.g., the sternum is anterior to the heart).

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning back (e.g., the spine is posterior to the heart).

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline (e.g., the nose is medial to the eyes).

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline (e.g., ears are lateral to the eyes).

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment (e.g., elbow is proximal to wrist).

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment (e.g., fingers are distal to elbow).

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward the surface (e.g., skin is superficial to muscles).

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface (e.g., bones are deep to muscle).

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Dorsal Body Cavity

Major body cavity division that contains the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral/spinal cavity (housing the spinal cord).

Ventral Body Cavity

Major body cavity division that encompasses the thoracic cavity (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity.

Pleura

The serous membrane that surrounds the lungs to reduce friction.

Pericardium

The serous membrane that surrounds the heart to reduce friction.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with organs of the abdominopelvic cavity to reduce friction.

Valence Shell

An atom's outermost electron shell; the valence electrons within it determine reactivity and bonding capabilities.

Cation

A positively charged ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Potential Energy

Stored energy in reserve; chemical energy stored in molecules such as glucose and ATP is a form of potential energy.

Kinetic Energy

The energy of motion or energy in action.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions by lowering the required activation energy.

Substrate

The specific reactant molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Activation Energy

The energy needed to start a chemical reaction.

Synthesis Reaction

A chemical reaction where small molecules combine to form a larger molecule ($A + B \rightarrow AB$).

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction where a large molecule breaks down into smaller molecules ($AB \rightarrow A + B$).

Exchange Reaction

A chemical reaction in which components switch partners ($AB + CD \rightarrow AD + CB$).

Reversible Reaction

A chemical reaction that can proceed in either direction ($A + B \rightleftharpoons AB$).

Cell Theory

The principle stating that the cell is the smallest unit of life, all organisms are made of one or more cells, and cells arise from pre-existing cells.

Glycocalyx

A fuzzy coating on the outer surface of the plasma membrane formed by membrane carbohydrates.