Anatomy and Physiology: The Human Organism and Chemical Basis of Life

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic chemistry, biological molecules, structural organization, homeostatic feedback, body planes, directional terms, cavities, and serous membranes from Chapters 1 and 2.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass, existing as a solid, liquid, or gas.

Mass

The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

The gravitational force acting on an object.

Element

The simplest form of matter, such as C, H, O, N, Ca, K, Na, and Cl.

Atom

The smallest particle of an element, containing protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Proton

A positively charged particle located inside the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutrally charged particle located inside the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged particle located outside the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in each atom.

Mass Number

The number of protons and neutrons in each atom.

Chemical Bonds

Interactions that occur when outermost valence shell electrons are transferred or shared between atoms.

Ion

A charged atom formed because of a donation or gain of an electron or electrons.

Ionic Bonding

A chemical bond that occurs when there is an attraction between two oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bonding

A chemical bond that occurs when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Polar Covalent Bonds

Bonds formed when there is an unequal sharing of electrons between atoms of the bond.

Polar Molecules

Molecules that have an asymmetrical electrical charge, possessing a positive end and a negative end.

Nonpolar Molecules

Molecules that have a symmetrical electrical charge where electrons are shared equally.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction formed when the positive end of one polar molecule is weakly attracted to the negative end of another polar molecule.

Acid

A proton $H^+$ donor with a pH below 7.

Base

A proton $H^+$ acceptor with a pH above 7.

Inorganic Chemistry

The branch of chemistry that deals with substances that do not contain carbon, with exceptions such as $CO_2$.

Organic Chemistry

The study of carbon-containing substances.

Enzymes

Organic catalysts that increase the rate at which biochemical reactions proceed without being permanently changed, operating by lowering the energy of activation.

Anatomy

The investigation of body structure, derived from a term meaning to dissect.

Physiology

The investigation of body processes and functions.

Cellular Level

The structural level consisting of cells, which are the basic units of life composed of compartments and organelles.

Tissues

A group of cells with similar structure and function plus the extracellular substances they release.

Organs

Two or more tissue types acting together to perform one or more functions.

Organ-System

A group of organs contributing to some function.

Organism

All organ systems working together, including associated microorganisms such as intestinal bacteria.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a constant internal environment despite fluctuations in the external or internal environment.

Variables

Measures of body properties that may change in value, such as body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Negative Feedback

The main mechanism used for homeostatic regulation, involving detection of deviation away from a set point and correction by reversal of deviation toward the set point and normal range.

Receptor

The component of feedback that detects changes in a variable.

Control Center

The component of feedback that receives receptor signals, establishes the set point, and sends signals to an effector.

Effector

The component of feedback that directly causes a change in a variable.

Positive Feedback

Mechanisms occurring when the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, causing progressive deviation away from the set point outside of the normal range.

Anatomical Position

The relational baseline position where a person is standing erect with face and palms forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below.

Anterior

Directional term meaning front; also referred to as ventral in humans.

Posterior

Directional term meaning back; also referred to as dorsal in humans.

Medial

Directional term meaning close to the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning close to the point of attachment.

Distal

Directional term meaning far from the point of attachment.

Superficial

Directional term describing a structure close to the surface.

Deep

Directional term describing a structure toward the interior of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that separates the body into right and left parts.

Median Plane

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

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that separates the body into superior and inferior parts.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that separates the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Cranial Cavity

The subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that contains the brain.

Vertebral Canal

The subdivision of the dorsal body cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

The space within the chest wall and diaphragm containing the heart, lungs, thymus gland, esophagus, and trachea.

Mediastinum

The space between the lungs containing the heart, thymus gland, esophagus, and trachea.

Abdominal Cavity

The space between the diaphragm and pelvis containing the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

The space within the pelvis containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and part of the large intestine.

Visceral Serous Membrane

The layer of serous membrane that covers organs in the ventral body cavity.

Parietal Serous Membrane

The layer of serous membrane that lines the walls of body cavities.

Pericardium

The serous membrane associated with the pericardial cavity surrounding the heart.

Pleura

The serous membrane associated with the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane associated with the peritoneal cavity surrounding the abdominopelvic cavity and its organs.