Anatomy & Physiology Exam Study Guide Chapters 1-4 Flashcards

Exam-focused vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts across Chapters 1 through 4 of Anatomy & Physiology.

Atom

Smallest unit of an element.

Molecule

Atoms bonded together.

Cell

Smallest living unit.

Tissue

Similar cells working together.

Organ

Two or more tissues working together.

Organ System

Organs working together.

Organism

The entire living person.

Structure

How something is built.

Function

What something does; determined by structure.

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity that includes the cranial cavity (brain) and vertebral cavity (spinal cord).

Ventral Cavity

Body cavity that includes the thoracic cavity (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity.

Diaphragm

Structure that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Serous Membranes

Membranes that line certain cavities and cover organs, producing serous fluid to reduce friction.

Pleura

Serous membrane associated with the lungs.

Pericardium

Serous membrane associated with the heart.

Peritoneum

Serous membrane associated with the abdominal organs.

Anatomical Position

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

Superior

Directional term meaning above.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below.

Anterior

Directional term meaning front.

Posterior

Directional term meaning back.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the attachment point.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the attachment point.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward the surface.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the surface.

Sagittal Plane

Body plane that divides the body into left and right sides.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Body plane that divides the body into front and back sections.

Transverse Plane

Body plane that divides the body into upper and lower sections.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a relatively stable internal environment.

Negative Feedback

Most common type of feedback mechanism; reverses a change (e.g., sweating cools the body).

Positive Feedback

Feedback mechanism that amplifies a change (e.g., childbirth contractions and blood clotting).

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion.

Potential Energy

Stored energy, such as energy in chemical bonds.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The cell's main usable energy source, which breaks down into ADP + phosphate + energy.

Carbohydrates

Organic molecules providing quick energy (e.g., glucose, starch).

Lipids

Organic molecules used for long-term energy, insulation, and membranes (e.g., fats, phospholipids, steroids).

Proteins

Organic molecules made of amino acids used for structure, enzymes, transport, movement, and defense.

Nucleic Acids

Organic molecules that store genetic information (DNA and RNA).

Ionic Bond

Chemical bond where electrons are transferred.

Covalent Bond

Chemical bond where electrons are shared.

Polar Covalent Bond

Chemical bond where electrons are shared unequally.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

Chemical bond where electrons are shared equally.

Hydrogen Bond

Weak attraction between molecules or parts of molecules.

Anabolic Reactions

Chemical reactions that build larger molecules and usually require energy.

Catabolic Reactions

Chemical reactions that break larger molecules into smaller ones and usually release energy.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Acidosis

Condition when blood pH is too low.

Alkalosis

Condition when blood pH is too high.

Plasma Membrane

Selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Passive Transport

Transport that does not require ATP and moves substances down the concentration gradient (high to low).

Active Transport

Transport that requires energy (ATP) and usually moves substances against the gradient (low to high).

Osmosis

Movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane where water follows solute.

Uniporter

Transport protein that moves one type of substance across the membrane.

Symporter

Transport protein that moves two substances in the same direction across the membrane.

Antiporter

Transport protein that moves two substances in opposite directions across the membrane.

Endocytosis

Process where a cell takes material in using a vesicle.

Phagocytosis

Form of endocytosis described as cell eating.

Pinocytosis

Form of endocytosis described as cell drinking.

Exocytosis

Process where a cell releases material outside.

Tight Junctions

Cell junctions that seal cells and prevent leakage.

Desmosomes

Cell junctions that strongly hold cells together.

Gap Junctions

Cell junctions that allow communication between cells.

Microvilli

Surface projections that increase surface area for absorption, especially in the small intestine.

Apical Surface

Epithelial cell surface facing outside, a body cavity, or a lumen.

Lateral Surface

Epithelial cell surface touching neighboring cells.

Basal Surface

Epithelial cell surface attached to the basement membrane.

Hypotonic Solution

Solution with less solute outside, causing water to enter the cell and the cell to swell.

Hypertonic Solution

Solution with more solute outside, causing water to leave the cell and the cell to shrink.

Isotonic Solution

Solution with the same effective solute concentration, resulting in no net water movement.

Goblet Cells

Mucus-producing cells that protect surfaces, trap particles, and keep tissues moist.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream (e.g., thyroid).

Exocrine Glands

Glands that release substances through ducts (e.g., sweat and salivary glands).

Merocrine Secretion

Secretion process where product leaves the cell while the cell remains intact (e.g., sweat glands).

Holocrine Secretion

Secretion process where the whole cell breaks apart to release its secretion (e.g., sebaceous glands).

Extracellular Matrix

Non-cellular material in connective tissue made of fibers and ground substance.

Collagen Fibers

Strong connective tissue fibers that provide tensile strength.

Elastic Fibers

Connective tissue fibers that stretch and return to their original shape.

Reticular Fibers

Connective tissue fibers that form a supporting network or framework.

-blast Cells

Connective tissue cells that build and make extracellular matrix.

-cyte Cells

Connective tissue cells that maintain the tissue.

Ectoderm

Embryonic outer layer that gives rise to the nervous system and epidermis.

Mesoderm

Embryonic middle layer that gives rise to connective tissue, muscle, bone, and blood.

Endoderm

Embryonic inner layer that gives rise to the digestive and respiratory tract linings.