Anatomy & Physiology I - Final Exam Study Guide (BIO 105)

Vocabulary flashcards covering brain structures, neurons, reflex arcs, autonomic receptors, nerves, and musculoskeletal joints from the notes.

Medulla

Vital functions such as breathing and heart rate (brainstem).

Pons

Bridge for motor control in the brainstem.

Midbrain

Contains visual and auditory reflex centers.

Diencephalon

Brain region that includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Thalamus

Relay center for sensory information to the cerebrum.

Hypothalamus

Regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and hormone release.

Cerebellum

Coordinates movement and balance.

Cerebrum

Involved in higher thinking and voluntary movement.

Neuron

Nerve cell that transmits electrical signals.

Glial cells

Support and protect neurons.

Resting potential

Baseline membrane potential of a neuron, typically -70 mV.

Action potential

Rapid depolarization followed by repolarization and hyperpolarization of a neuron.

Saltatory conduction

Fast conduction of impulses along myelinated axons.

Reflex arc

Pathway: sensory receptor → sensory neuron → integration center → motor neuron → effector.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter involved in autonomic and neuromuscular signaling.

Norepinephrine (NE)

Neurotransmitter involved in sympathetic autonomic responses.

Nicotinic receptor

Excitatory cholinergic receptor found at skeletal muscles.

Muscarinic receptor

Cholinergic receptor that mediates parasympathetic targets.

Alpha receptor

Adrenergic receptor for sympathetic targets (α-adrenergic).

Beta receptor

Adrenergic receptor for sympathetic targets (β-adrenergic).

Parasympathetic nervous system

Rest-and-digest division of the autonomic nervous system.

Sympathetic nervous system

Fight-or-flight division of the autonomic nervous system.

Cranial nerves

Nerves that emerge from the brain and are part of the peripheral nervous system.

Cervical nerves

Spinal nerves in the neck region.

Thoracic nerves

Spinal nerves in the thoracic region.

Lumbar nerves

Spinal nerves in the lumbar region.

Sacral nerves

Spinal nerves in the sacral region.

Hinge joint

Joint that allows bending in one plane (e.g., elbow).

Ball & socket joint

Joint that allows multi-directional movement and rotation (e.g., shoulder).

Pivot joint

Joint allowing rotation around a point (e.g., atlas/axis).

Saddle joint

Joint that allows grasping actions (e.g., thumb).

Gliding joint

Joint where flat surfaces slide past one another (e.g., carpals).

Condyloid joint

Joint allowing movement in multiple planes (e.g., wrist).

Sliding Filament Theory

Actin and myosin slide past each other to produce muscle contraction.

Actin

Thin filament that participates in muscle contraction and slides past myosin.

Myosin

Thick filament that interacts with actin to drive muscle contraction.