Anatomy and Physiology – Unit 1 Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing key anatomical and physiological terms from Unit 1 lecture notes.

Anatomy

Scientific study of the structure of the body; literally means “to cut apart.”

Physiology

Study of the processes and functions of living organisms, emphasizing body responses and homeostasis.

Organelles

Small, specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions.

Organism

Any living thing considered as a whole, from a single-celled bacterium to a human with trillions of cells.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical reactions in an organism, enabling energy use for growth, movement, and reproduction.

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells in all or part of an organism.

Reproduction

Formation of new cells or new organisms, allowing tissue repair and species continuity.

Systemic Anatomy

Approach to anatomy that studies body structure by organ systems (e.g., skeletal, muscular).

Regional Anatomy

Approach that examines specific body areas, such as the head or abdomen.

Surface Anatomy

Study of external features (e.g., bony projections) to relate to deeper structures.

Anatomical Imaging

Use of technologies such as ultrasound or X-rays to visualize internal body structures.

Cellular Physiology

Branch of physiology focused on cell-level functions and processes.

Systemic Physiology

Study of the functional aspects of specific organ systems.

Human Physiology

Physiology specifically concerned with the human organism.

Chemical Level

Smallest structural level; interactions of atoms and molecules.

Cell Level

Basic unit of life; molecules combine to form cells with unique functions.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells and surrounding material performing a common function.

Organ Level

Structure composed of two or more tissue types working together (e.g., heart, stomach).

Organ System Level

Group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a specific purpose (e.g., urinary system).

Organism Level

The living being considered as a whole, representing the sum of all organ systems.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports, binds, and protects organs; contains abundant extracellular matrix.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue specialized for contraction and movement.

Nervous Tissue

Tissue that conducts electrical impulses for communication and coordination.

Organization (Characteristic of Life)

Specific interrelationships among parts that allow an organism to function.

Responsiveness

Ability to detect and react to internal or external stimuli.

Development

Changes an organism undergoes through time, including growth and differentiation.

Differentiation

Process whereby unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment around a set point despite external or internal changes.

Variable

Condition (e.g., temperature, pH) that can change and is monitored in a feedback system.

Receptor

Structure that detects changes in a variable and sends input to a control center.

Control Center

Component that compares input to the set point and issues commands to effectors.

Effector

Structure that receives output from the control center and produces a response.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

Feedback loop that reverses deviation from the set point, promoting stability (e.g., blood pressure control).

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Feedback loop that amplifies a change until an external event stops it (e.g., childbirth contractions).

Anatomical Position

Standard reference posture: standing upright, feet forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

Prone Position

Body lying face down.

Supine Position

Body lying face up.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

Transverse Plane

Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.

Oblique Section

Cut across a structure at an angle other than 90° to its long axis.

Dorsal Cavity

Posterior body cavity containing the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Ventral Cavity

Anterior body cavity housing the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal Serous Membrane

Layer of a serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Visceral Serous Membrane

Layer of a serous membrane that covers the external surface of an organ.

Pericardial Cavity

Serous cavity surrounding the heart.

Pleural Cavity

Serous cavity surrounding each lung.

Peritoneal Cavity

Serous cavity surrounding certain abdominal and pelvic organs.

Mesenteries

Folds of peritoneum that suspend abdominal organs and provide pathways for vessels and nerves.

Retroperitoneal Organs

Organs located behind the parietal peritoneum, such as kidneys and pancreas.