Bio 32: Orientation to the Human Body & Biological Chemistry

Vocabulary flashcards covering human body organization, anatomical orientation, basic inorganic chemistry, and biological organic macromolecules.

Gross Anatomy

The study of large, observable body structures without the use of a microscope.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body structures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as cells and tissues.

Lymphatic System

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood; disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream; houses white blood cells involved in immunity.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system of the body; responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use by body cells.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; the gaseous exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs.

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above.

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below.

Ventral (anterior)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of.

Dorsal (posterior)

Toward or at the back of the body; behind.

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of.

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface.

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface; more internal.

Parietal Serosa

The portion of a double-layered serous membrane that lines the walls of a ventral body cavity.

Visceral Serosa

The portion of a double-layered serous membrane that directly covers the organs in a ventral body cavity.

Deuterium

An isotope of hydrogen ($^2\text{H}$) containing $1\text{p}^+$, $1\text{n}^0$, and $1\text{e}^-$.

Tritium

An isotope of hydrogen ($^3\text{H}$) containing $1\text{p}^+$, $2\text{n}^0$, and $1\text{e}^-$.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed when valence electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when atoms share one or more pairs of valence electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond formed when the slightly positive end ($\delta^+$) of a polar molecule is attracted to the slightly negative end ($\delta^-$) of another polar molecule.

Synthesis Reaction

A chemical reaction in which smaller particles are bonded together to form larger, more complex molecules.

Decomposition Reaction

A chemical reaction in which bonds are broken in larger molecules, resulting in smaller, less complex molecules.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction where monomers are joined by the removal of an $\text{OH}$ from one monomer and an $\text{H}$ from the other, releasing a water molecule.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process in which polymers are broken down into monomers by the addition of a water molecule.

Monosaccharides

The monomer units of carbohydrates consisting of single-ring structures, such as hexose sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose) and pentose sugars (deoxyribose, ribose).

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates formed by linking two monosaccharides together, such as sucrose, maltose, and lactose.

Polysaccharides

Long chains or polymers of linked monosaccharides, such as glycogen.

Saturated Fat

A fat molecule whose fatty acid chains contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, allowing them to pack closely together and remain solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

A fat molecule containing one or more double bonds in its fatty acid chains, causing kinks that prevent close packing and keep it liquid at room temperature.

Phospholipid

A lipid composed of two nonpolar fatty acid tails and a polar phosphorus-containing head bound to a glycerol backbone, serving as a primary component of cell membranes.

Steroid

A lipid molecule structured with four interlocking hydrocarbon rings, with cholesterol serving as the precursor for all steroids in the body.

Primary Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain linked by peptide bonds.

Secondary Structure

The local coiling ($\alpha$-helix) or folding ($\beta$-sheet) of a primary polypeptide chain, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide chain formed when $\alpha$-helices or $\beta$-sheets fold into a compact globular molecule.

Quaternary Structure

The functional protein configuration formed by the combination of two or more individual polypeptide chains.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

A double-stranded nucleic acid located in the nucleus that contains deoxyribose sugar and adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine bases to store genetic material.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A single-stranded nucleic acid located in the cytoplasm that contains ribose sugar and adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil bases to carry out protein synthesis instructions.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy currency of the cell consisting of an adenine base, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups joined by high-energy bonds.