Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, and Cell Biology Review Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, terms, anatomical directions, chemical concepts, and cellular structures from Chapters 1-3.

Anatomy

The study of body structure and the relationships between body parts.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts function.

Gross Anatomy

The study of structures large enough to be seen without a microscope.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures that require a microscope to see.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Embryology

The study of development before birth.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of structures belonging to a particular organ system.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of structural changes caused by disease.

Order of Structural Organization

Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism.

Integumentary System

Body system composed of skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and oil glands; protects the body, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and provides sensation.

Skeletal System

Body system composed of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and joints; supports and protects the body, allows movement, stores minerals, and produces blood cells.

Muscular System

Body system composed of skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues; produces movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.

Nervous System

Body system composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors; rapidly detects, processes, and responds to stimuli.

Endocrine System

Body system composed of hormone-producing glands; regulates body functions using hormones.

Cardiovascular System

Body system composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels; transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and wastes throughout the body.

Lymphatic System

Body system composed of lymph, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and other tissues; returns fluid to the blood and defends against disease.

Respiratory System

Body system composed of the nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs; brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Body system composed of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas; breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates solid waste.

Urinary System

Body system composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; removes wastes and regulates water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized cells develop specialized structures and functions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment.

Receptor

A structure in a feedback system that detects a change or stimulus.

Control Center

The part of a feedback system that receives information and determines a response.

Effector

A structure in a feedback system that carries out the response.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic response that reverses or reduces the original stimulus.

Positive Feedback

A homeostatic response that strengthens or amplifies the original stimulus.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, facing forward, feet forward, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head; above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head; below.

Anterior

Directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the body's midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the body's midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment or origin.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or origin.

Superficial

Directional term meaning closer to the body's surface.

Deep

Directional term meaning farther from the body's surface.

Ipsilateral

Term meaning on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Term meaning on opposite sides of the body.

Brachial Region

Anatomical term referring to the upper arm.

Antebrachial Region

Anatomical term referring to the forearm.

Axillary Region

Anatomical term referring to the armpit.

Sagittal Plane

A body plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane

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

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A body plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse Plane

A body plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Parietal Layer

The serous membrane layer lining the cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

The serous membrane layer directly covering an organ.

Pleura

The serous membrane associated with the lungs.

Pericardium

The serous membrane associated with the heart.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with the abdominopelvic cavity.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in an atom, which determines an element's identity.

Mass Number

The total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Ion

An atom or molecule with an electrical charge caused by gaining or losing electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Octet Rule

Principle stating that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable outer shell of eight electrons.

Ionic Bond

An attraction between oppositely charged ions after electrons are transferred.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond in which electrons are shared relatively equally.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom.

Exergonic Reaction

A chemical reaction that releases energy.

Endergonic Reaction

A chemical reaction that requires or absorbs energy.

Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering activation energy.

Dehydration Synthesis

A reaction that joins molecules together by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A reaction that breaks a molecule apart by adding water.

Acid

A substance that releases hydrogen ions ($\text{H}^+$) in solution.

Base

A substance that accepts $\text{H}^+$ or releases hydroxide ions ($\text{OH}^-$) in solution.

Electrolyte

A substance that dissociates into ions in water and can conduct electricity.

Monosaccharide

A single sugar molecule, such as glucose, fructose, or galactose.

Disaccharide

Two monosaccharides joined together, such as sucrose, lactose, or maltose.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate made of many monosaccharides joined together, such as glycogen, starch, or cellulose.

Triglyceride

A lipid made of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids.

Phospholipid

A lipid made of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate-containing group; forms the cell membrane structure.

Apoenzyme

The protein portion of an enzyme without its required nonprotein component.

Holoenzyme

A complete, functional enzyme consisting of the apoenzyme plus its required cofactor/coenzyme.

Cofactor

A nonprotein helper required for some enzyme functions, often an inorganic ion.

Coenzyme

An organic molecule that assists an enzyme.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the plasma membrane as a flexible lipid bilayer containing proteins that can move within it.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a membrane that does not require cellular energy (ATP).

Active Transport

Movement of substances across a membrane that requires cellular energy (ATP).

Simple Diffusion

Movement of particles directly through the lipid bilayer from an area of higher to lower concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

Movement of particles from higher to lower concentration through a membrane protein without requiring ATP.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with equal solute concentration relative to the cell; no net water movement occurs.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with lower solute concentration than the cell; water enters the cell causing it to swell.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with higher solute concentration than the cell; water leaves the cell causing it to shrink.

Primary Active Transport

Transport mechanism that directly uses ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Secondary Active Transport

Transport mechanism that indirectly uses energy from an ion concentration gradient created by primary active transport.

Symport

Transporter mechanism in which two substances move in the same direction across a membrane.

Antiport

Transporter mechanism in which two substances move in opposite directions across a membrane.

Phagocytosis

Endocytosis of large particles or cells ("cell eating").

Pinocytosis

Endocytosis of extracellular fluid ("cell drinking").

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum covered with ribosomes; synthesizes and begins processing proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes; involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids.