Anatomy and Physiology: The Cellular and Tissue Levels of Organization

These vocabulary flashcards cover the fundamental concepts of anatomy, physiology, cellular transport, organelle function, protein synthesis, cell replication, and tissue classification based on the textbook transcript.

Anatomy

The scientific study of the body's structures, including gross anatomy (visible to the naked eye) and microscopic anatomy (requiring magnification).

Physiology

The scientific study of the chemistry and physics of body structures and how they work together to support life functions.

Homeostasis

The state of dynamic stability of the body's internal conditions, maintaining parameters like temperature and pH within a healthy range.

Negative Feedback

A primary homeostatic mechanism that reverses a deviation from a setpoint, essentially turning off the response once stability is restored.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that intensifies a change in the body's physiological condition rather than reversing it, such as during childbirth.

Cell Membrane

A selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and cholesterol that separates the intracellular fluid (ICF) from the extracellular fluid (ECF).

Amphipathic

A molecule possessing both a hydrophilic (water-loving) polar head and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) nonpolar tail.

Diffusion

A passive transport process where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration.

Active Transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of $ATP$.

Mitochondrion

A membranous organelle known as the "energy transformer" that produces $ATP$ through the process of cellular respiration.

Transcription

The process occurring in the nucleus where a segment of DNA is copied into a messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript.

Translation

The process occurring at the ribosome where the genetic code on mRNA is used to synthesize a specific chain of amino acids (polypeptide).

Mitosis

The division of genetic material during the cell cycle that results in two new functional nuclei, typically divided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissue appearance, organization, and function.

Epithelial Tissue

A primary tissue type composed of highly cellular sheets that cover body surfaces, line internal cavities, and form glands.

Connective Tissue

A diverse tissue category consisting of cells, ground substance, and protein fibers that binds, supports, and protects the body.

Exocrine Gland

A gland that secretes its products (like sweat or mucus) through a duct onto an epithelial surface.

Endocrine Gland

A ductless gland that releases secretions called hormones directly into the surrounding interstitial fluid or bloodstream.

Chondrocytes

Specialized cells found in cartilage that are responsible for generating and maintaining the semisolid extracellular matrix.

Action Potential

The electrochemical impulse used by neurons to transmit signals over long distances throughout the body.

Apoptosis

A process of programmed or purposeful cellular death, often facilitated by the release of digestive enzymes from lysosomes.

Basement Membrane

A specialized extracellular matrix consisting of the lamina lucida and lamina densa that anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

Synovial Membrane

A type of connective tissue membrane that lines the cavities of freely movable joints and secretes lubricating fluid.