Unit 1 Study Notes (Chapters 1–4) - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomy and physiology concepts, body regions, planes, tissues, membranes, and homeostasis.

Anatomy

The study of body structure (what it looks like).

Physiology

The study of body function (how it works).

Nucleus

The cell's control center that houses DNA.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell; produces ATP energy.

Ribosomes

Organelles that synthesize proteins.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER with ribosomes; synthesizes proteins.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER without ribosomes; makes lipids and detoxifies.

Golgi apparatus

Packages and ships proteins for export or delivery.

Lysosomes

Digest waste; the cell's garbage men.

Cytoplasm

The material inside the cell excluding the nucleus; includes cytosol and organelles.

Cytosol

Fluid portion of the cytoplasm.

Dorsal cavity

Back-side body cavity; includes cranial and vertebral cavities.

Cranial cavity

Skull cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral cavity

Spinal cavity within the vertebral column.

Ventral cavity

Front body cavity; includes thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Thoracic cavity

Contains the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Contains the stomach, liver, intestines, bladder, and more.

Diaphragm

Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into front and back.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into top and bottom.

Atoms

The basic units of matter.

Molecules

Two or more atoms bonded together.

Organelles

Cell structures with specific functions.

Cells

The basic units of life.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells performing a function.

Organs

Structures composed of two or more tissue types that perform a function.

Organ systems

Groups of organs that work together to perform complex tasks.

Organism

An individual living being.

Pinna (auricle)

Outer ear; the visible part.

Ear canal

Opening leading to the middle ear.

Eardrum (tympanic membrane)

Vibrates in response to sound; separates outer and middle ear.

Ossicles

Three middle ear bones: malleus (hammer), incus (anvil), stapes (stirrup).

Cochlea

Inner ear structure responsible for hearing.

Semicircular canals

Inner ear structures responsible for balance.

Epidermis

Outer skin layer; provides protection.

Dermis

Middle skin layer; contains nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands.

Hypodermis

Fat layer beneath the skin; provides insulation.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Epithelial tissue

Covers surfaces and forms glands; shapes include squamous, cuboidal, and columnar.

Connective tissue

Supports and binds; includes bone, blood, fat, cartilage.

Muscular tissue

Moves the body; skeletal, cardiac, smooth.

Nervous tissue

Facilitates communication; brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Mucous membranes

Line open cavities (mouth, nose).

Serous membranes

Line closed cavities (around lungs, heart).

Cutaneous membrane

Skin.

Synovial membranes

Membranes in joints.

Superior

Above or toward the head; upper.

Inferior

Below or toward the feet; lower.

Anterior (ventral)

Front.

Posterior (dorsal)

Back.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Superficial

Near the body surface.

Deep

Away from the surface; toward the interior.

Homeostasis

Maintaining a stable internal environment.

Gland

An organ that produces and releases substances (e.g., sweat, hormones).

Basement membrane

Thin layer anchoring epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.