Body Systems and Organization Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from lecture notes on body systems and organization.

Homeostasis

Consistency in the body; deviation indicates disease.

Negative Feedback Loop

Uses receptors, integrating center, and effector to maintain balance.

Positive Feedback Loop

End product stimulates the process, e.g., uterine contractions during labor.

Intrinsic Regulation

Regulation process within organs; cells sense and signal.

Extrinsic Regulation

Brain uses endocrine or nervous system to regulate organs.

Cell

Basic structure.

Tissue

Similar cells doing similar job.

Organ

Two or more groups of tissues.

System

Group of organs working together.

Organism

Multiple systems working together.

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary, associated with bones, has striations.

Sarcomeres

Structural unit of a myofibril in striated muscle.

Cardiac Muscle

Found only in heart, involuntary, has intercalated discs.

Intercalated discs

Specialized cell connections that allow sodium ions to pass between cells.

Smooth Muscle

In walls of hollow organs, involuntary, not striated, peristalsis.

Peristalsis

Wave-like contractions of smooth muscle layers.

Nervous Tissue

Found in brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Neurons

Transmit electrical signals.

Neuroglia

Support and protect neurons.

Dendrites

Receive signals.

Axon

Sends signals.

Cell Body

Metabolic center of neuron.

Epithelial Tissue

Covers body surfaces and lines hollow organs.

Simple Epithelium

One layer, for transport.

Stratified Epithelium

Multiple layers, for protection.

Squamous

Flattened cells.

Cuboidal

Square-like cells.

Columnar

Tall cells.

Exocrine glands

Secrete into capillaries, hormone producing glands.

Connective Tissue

Matrix of protein fibers, extracellular material, and specialized cells.

Loose Connective Tissue

Collagen fibers scattered loosely.

Dense Regular Connective Tissue

Densely packed collagen fibers.

Ground Substances

Amorphous gel-like material surrounding cells and fibers.

Adipose Tissue

Stores fat, cells are called adipocytes.

Dense irregular

Tightly packed collagen fibers in different arrangements.

Cartilage

Cells called chondrocytes, semi-solid ground substance.

Bone

Cells called osteoblasts trap mineral salts.

Osteocytes

Cells in hardened bone matrix.

Lacunae

An unfilled space or interval; a gap.

Dentine

Calcified connective tissue that makes up the bulk of a tooth.

Organs

Made of 2 or more tissues, perform different purposes.

Skin

Largest organ in the body.

Epidermis

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

Dermis

Dense irregular connective tissue in skin.

Hypodermis

Adipose tissue for padding and insulation.