Chapter 01: Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the body's structure and its parts; derived from Greek for 'a cutting up'.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts work.

Subatomic particles

What make up atoms—protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Atom

Tiny particles that make up chemicals; the basic unit of an element. (Hydrogen, Carbon)

Molecule

Particles formed when two or more atoms join together (water, glucose).

Macromolecule

Large particles made up of molecules (DNA, Lysosome)

Organelle

functional part within a cell (mitochondrion, lysosome).

Cell

The basic unit of structure and function in living organisms; examples muscle, nerve, and blood cells.

Tissue

A layer or mass of cells with a specific function (adipose- stores energy, tissue, epithelial tissue).

Organ

A body part made of different tissues that does a specific job (e.g., heart, kidney).

Organ System

Organs working together for a shared purpose (e.g., digestive system).

Organism

A complete living thing, like a human, made of different body systems working together.

Ultrasound

A way to see inside your body using sound waves that you can't hear (like checking on a baby before it's born).

Magnetic Resonance Scan (MR/MRI)

A way to take very clear pictures inside your body using strong magnets (like of your brain).

Internal environment

The stable conditions inside your body that keep everything working right.

Homeostasis

Keeping the conditions inside your body steady and balanced.

Interdependency of cells

Cells need each other to live and do their jobs; they also talk to and work with each other.

Structure and Function

How a body part's shape helps it do its job.

Gradients and Permeability

How substances move from an area with a lot of them to an area with less, passing through a membrane that allows them through. Examples include diffusion, osmosis, and membrane transport.

Cellular differentiation

When cells in the body change to do different, specific jobs, like becoming muscle or nerve cells.

Cell membrane mechanisms

Controls what enters the cell and how cells interact with each other

Cell-to-cell communication

how cells send and receive signals to coordinate their activities.

Feedback loops

systems that keep things balanced by adjusting to a target

Balance

Replacement of lost substances and removing excesses

Growth

Increase in cell number, cell size, and overall body size.

Reproduction

creation of new cells and organisms

Responsiveness

energy reaction to changes inside or outside the body.

Energy processes

provides energy to keep cells functioning actively

The cell

all living things consist of cells

Non invasive procedures

medical techniques that create images of internal body structures w/o incisions or insert instruments into the body