#5 NHA CCMA: Body Structures and Organ Systems

What are cells?

The building blocks of life; they start as a single cell and multiply.

Do all cells have the same components?

They share basic components, but some have additional parts for specific functions.

What is the plasma membrane?

It is a selectively permeable membrane made of phospholipids and proteins that surrounds the entire cell.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

It separates the internal components of the cell from the surrounding environment and controls what substances enter and leave the cell.

What is cytoplasm?

is a gel-like fluid inside the cell, primarily made of water with dissolved electrolytes, nutrients, and waste products.

What does the cytoplasm do?

It serves as a medium for chemical reactions and contains many suspended organelles.

What is the nucleus?

is a large, spherical body near the center of the cell that contains genetic material in the form of DNA.

What is the role of the nucleus?

It acts as the control center of the cell by regulating cell activity and housing genetic material.

What is the nuclear membrane?

It is a double-layered, porous membrane surrounding the nucleus.

What does the nuclear membrane do?

It protects the nucleus and allows only specific materials to pass through.

What is the nucleolus?

is a dark, dense body within the nucleus without an enclosing membrane; most cells have one to four nucleoli.

What is the function of the nucleolus?

It produces RNA and ribosomes.

What are mitochondria?

are elongated, rod-shaped organelles filled with fluid and containing their own DNA.

What do mitochondria do?

They are known as the “power plants” of the cell because they convert nutrients into energy (ATP) for use by the cell and body.

What are ribosomes?

are small granules of RNA found in the nucleolus or cytoplasm.

What is the function of ribosomes?

They synthesize proteins for use both inside and outside the cell.

What is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)?

is a complex network of membranous, fluid-filled sacs and tubular channels within the cell.

What does the ER do?

It transports materials throughout the cell. The rough ER supports the synthesis and transport of proteins.

What connects the cell membrane to the nucleus membrane and some organelles?

The endoplasmic reticulum, including both rough and smooth types.

What are the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Networks within the cell where proteins are synthesized (rough ER) and lipids like steroids are produced (smooth ER).

What organelle consists of four to six flat membranous sacs near the nucleus?

The Golgi apparatus.

What is the role of the Golgi apparatus?

It packages and ships materials secreted by the cell and forms lysosomes.

What are lysosomes?

Membrane-bound sacs that digest waste and old or damaged cellular components.

What is the cytoskeleton composed of?

Protein microfilaments and microtubules.

What functions does the cytoskeleton serve?

It maintains cell shape, holds organelles in place, and moves them when necessary.

What are centrioles and where are they located?

Pairs of rod-shaped microtubule structures near the nucleus.

What role do centrioles play in the cell?

They help distribute DNA during cell reproduction.

What are cilia?

Short, hair-like microtubules that extend from the cell membrane.

What is the function of cilia?

They help move substances along the surface of the cell.

What are flagella?

Long, hair-like projections from the cell membrane.

What is the purpose of flagella?

To move the entire cell by a whip-like motion.

What is the sagittal plane?

A vertical division separating the body into left and right sections.

What does midsagittal refer to?

An equal left and right division along the body's midline.

What is the transverse plane?

A horizontal division separating the body into upper and lower parts.

What is the frontal (or coronal) plane?

A vertical division separating the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

How many main body cavities are studied in the human body?

Five

What is housed within the cranial cavity?

The meninges and the brain.

What does the spinal cavity contain?

The spinal cord.

Where is the thoracic cavity located and what does it contain?

Within the chest; it contains the lungs, heart, and major vessels.

Which organs are found in the abdominal cavity?

The stomach, liver, gallbladder, and intestines.

What is located in the pelvic cavity?

The bladder and reproductive organs.

How can the abdomen be divided for examination purposes?

Into four quadrants or nine regions.

Why is knowing abdominal quadrants important?

It helps in accurately documenting patient complaints related to the abdomen.

What is a body system?

A group of organs working together to perform complex tasks.

What happens when body systems work efficiently?

The body maintains homeostasis.

What are some possible effects when a body system is disrupted?

Effects can range from minor issues like headaches to severe conditions like organ failure.

What organs make up the integumentary system?

Skin, hair, nails, and glands.

What functions does the skin perform?

Protection, temperature regulation, sensation, excretion, and vitamin D production.

What is the epidermis?

The outermost layer of epithelial tissue covering the body’s external surface.

What is found in the dermis layer?

Arteries, veins, and nerves.

What composes the subcutaneous layer?

Loose connective tissue made of adipose tissue and lipocytes.

What do hair follicles do?

Generate hair.

What is the function of sebaceous glands?

Produce sebum to keep skin and hair soft and inhibit bacterial growth.

What purpose do fingernails and toenails serve?

Protect the ends of fingers and toes.

What do sudoriferous glands produce?

Sweat, which helps cool the body.

What is the largest organ in the body?

The skin.

What are considered accessory organs of the integumentary system?

Hair, nails, and glands.

How many bones are in the adult axial skeleton?

80.

What parts of the body are included in the axial skeleton?

Skull, vertebrae, and ribs.

How many bones are in the adult appendicular skeleton

126

What parts of the body are included in the appendicular skeleton?

Arms, legs, and pelvic girdle.

What connects bone to bone and provides joint stability?

Ligaments

What connects muscle to bone and helps move the limbs?

Tendons

What absorbs impact in muscles to help avoid injury?

Tendons

What tissue gives form and protection to other tissues and organs?

Connective tissue.

What is found in the larynx and respiratory tract and covers long bone ends?

Cartilage

What provides body structure, posture, and protection for internal organs?

The skeletal system.

What system works with muscles to allow body movement?

The skeletal system.

What are bones classified by?

Shape

Which bones contain epiphysis, diaphysis, and yellow marrow?

Long bones.

What allows friction-free joint movement at the ends of long bones?

Articular cartilage.

What are examples of long bones?

Femur, humerus, tibia, fibula, ulna, radius.

Which bones are small, round, and found in wrists and ankles?

Short bones.

What are examples of short bones?

Carpals and tarsals.

Which bones have a flat or slightly curved surface?

Flat bones.

What are examples of flat bones?

Skull and ribs.

Which bones have an unusual shape related to their function?

Irregular bones.

What are examples of irregular bones?

Vertebrae and pelvis.

Which bones are small and round, located in joints and held by tendons?

Sesamoid bones.

What is an example of a sesamoid bone?

Patella

Where are new blood cells produced in the body?

Red bone marrow.

What is the process of blood cell formation called?

Hematopoiesis

What mineral stored in bones is vital for cell function?

Calcium

What bones are part of the upper extremities in the appendicular skeleton?

Scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius, ulna, carpals, metacarpals, phalanges.

What bones are part of the lower extremities in the appendicular skeleton?

Pelvic girdle, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsals, metatarsals, phalanges.

What bones are part of the axial skeleton?

Skull, cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, coccyx, ribs.

What are small, glandular structures in the neck, axilla, and groin that filter lymph and house lymphocytes?

Lymph nodes.

What are unencapsulated masses of lymphoid tissue made of macrophages and lymphocytes?

Lymph nodules.

What organ, located behind the sternum, produces and matures T-cells and shrinks after adolescence?

Thymus

What is the largest lymphoid organ that contains macrophages to filter blood?

Spleen

What is the fluid found between cells that becomes lymph after collection and filtration?

Interstitial fluid.

What system works with the immune system to prevent infections in the body?

Lymphatic system.

What is a foreign substance in the body that can trigger an immune response?

Antigen

What is the protein created in response to specific antigens?

Antibody

What is another term for antibodies?

Immunoglobulins.

What type of lymphocyte turns into plasma cells to produce antibodies?

B-cells.

What type of lymphocyte attaches directly to antigens to attack invading cells?

T-cells.

What type of immune cell engulfs and destroys pathogens coated with antibodies?

Monocytes.

What can be developed through exposure to pathogens or through vaccines?

Immunity