Introducing the Human Body

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, scientific methods, chemistry basics, metabolism, homeostasis, and anatomical directional/regional body terminology from Chapter 1.

Anatomy

Branch of science that studies body structure.

Physiology

Branch of science that studies body function.

Gross anatomy

Focuses on structures that can be studied by dissection.

Microscopic anatomy

Focuses on structures that must be studied with microscopes.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Cell biology

Study of the structure, function, and interaction of cells.

Immunology

Study of the body's defense system.

Neurophysiology

Focuses on the functions of the nervous system.

Endocrinology

Study of hormones and the glands that produce them.

Dissection

Carefully cutting apart a body structure.

Science

A way of thinking and a method of investigating the world in a systematic manner.

Scientific method

A series of steps used to investigate something of interest.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation which can be tested.

Experiment

Performed to test the hypothesis.

Experimental group

Receives the drug during an experiment.

Control group

Receives a placebo during an experiment.

Bias

Subjective influence that a researcher avoids by remaining unaware of group assignments during an experiment.

Scientific theory

A group of related hypotheses that may eventually be considered valid if their experimental results are consistent.

Molecules

Structures formed when atoms combine chemically.

Inorganic compound

Small, simple compounds such as water, salts, simple acids, and simple bases.

Organic compound

Large, complex compounds containing carbon.

Cation

Positively charged ion.

Anion

Negatively charged ion.

Acid

Dissociates in solution to produce hydrogen ions ($H^+$) and some type of anion.

Base

Dissociates in solution to produce hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) and some cation.

Ion

Electrically charged atom or group of atoms.

Electrolyte

Substance that dissociates into ions when dissolved in water.

Chemical compound

Molecule that consists of two or more different elements combined in a fixed proportion.

pH

Degree of a solution's acidity.

Carbohydrate

Sugars and starches.

Glucose

Simple sugar that is the main source of energy for the body.

Glycogen

Carbohydrate with long, linked glucose chains.

Lipid

Group of organic compounds containing fats and phospholipids.

Fat

Type of lipid that stores energy.

Protein

Large, complex molecules composed of subunits called amino acids.

Amino acid

Subunits that make up proteins.

Enzyme

Protein catalysts that regulate chemical reactions.

DNA

Contains the instructions for making all the proteins needed by a cell.

RNA

Nucleic acid that is important for manufacturing proteins.

Catabolism

The breaking-down phase of metabolism where cells capture energy stored in glucose and other nutrient molecules.

ATP

A special energy-storage compound in which energy released from nutrients is stored.

Metabolism

All the interaction of chemical processes that take place within the body.

Cellular respiration

A complex series of catabolic chemical reactions during which cells obtain energy from nutrient molecules.

Anabolism

The building, or synthetic, phase of metabolism.

Positive feedback system

Variation from the steady state that sets off a series of events that intensify the changes.

Negative feedback system

Change in some steady state triggers a response that is opposite to the change.

Homeostatic mechanisms

Self-regulating control systems that maintain the body's steady state.

Homeostasis

An appropriate internal environment, or steady state, for the body.

Stressor

Stimulus that disrupts homeostasis and causes stress in the body.

Bilateral symmetry

Condition in which right and left halves of the body are mirror images.

Cranium

Brain case.

Vertebral column

Backbone.

Anatomical position

Position defined as standing erect; eyes forward; arms at sides; palms/toes forward.

Superior

Toward the top of the head, or cranial.

Inferior

Toward the soles of the feet, or caudal.

Anterior

Front surface of the body, or ventral.

Posterior

Back surface of the body, or dorsal.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Toward one side of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the body midline or point of attachment to the trunk.

Distal

Farther from the midline or point of attachment to the trunk.

Superficial

Structures located toward the surface.

Deep

Located away from the body surface.

Frontal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into right and left parts, or mirror images.

Viscera

Internal organs contained within body cavities.

Dorsal cavity

Principal body cavity subdivided into the cranial cavity and vertebral canal.

Ventral cavity

Principal body cavity subdivided into the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity.

Cranial cavity

Subdivision of the dorsal cavity which holds the brain.

Vertebral canal

Subdivision of the dorsal cavity which contains the spinal cord.

Diaphragm

Broad muscle that separates the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity consisting of the pleural cavity and the mediastinum.

Pleural cavity

Subdivision of the thoracic cavity, each containing a lung.

Mediastinum

Subdivision of the thoracic cavity containing the heart, thymus gland, and parts of the esophagus and trachea.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity surrounding the heart.

Abdominal cavity

The upper portion of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pelvic cavity

The lower portion of the abdominopelvic cavity.

Scrotal cavity

An outpocket of the pelvic cavity in males which holds the testes.