Introduction to the Body and Chemistry of Life

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of anatomy, physiology, and the chemistry of life as presented in the lecture notes.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to discovery in the field of science.

Hypothesis

A tentative explanation used in research.

Experiment

The process of testing a hypothesis.

Test Group

In clinical trials, the group of subjects receiving the actual drug being studied.

Control Group

In clinical trials, the group of subjects receiving a substitute for the drug.

Cells

The smallest "living" units of structure and function in the body.

Tissue

An organization of many cells that act together to perform a common function.

Organ

A group of several different kinds of tissues arranged to act as a unit to perform a special function.

Systems

An organization of varying numbers and kinds of organs arranged together to perform complex body functions.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of an organism and the relationship of its parts.

Physiology

The study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.

Anatomical Position

A reference position where the body is erect, arms are at the sides, and feet are slightly apart facing forward.

Supine

The body position of lying face upward.

Prone

The body position of lying face downward.

Superior

An anatomical direction meaning upper or above.

Inferior

An anatomical direction meaning lower or below.

Anterior

A directional term meaning front or ventral.

Posterior

A directional term meaning back or dorsal.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning toward the side of the body.

Proximal

A directional term meaning nearest to the point of origin or the trunk of the body.

Distal

A directional term meaning farthest from the point of origin of a body part.

Midsagittal plane

A lengthwise plane running from front to back that divides the body into equal right and left sides.

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions; also known as a coronal plane.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections.

Homeostasis

The state of relative constancy in the chemical composition of body fluids and the internal environment.

Autopsy

The scientific study of a body after death, derived from the Greek words auto (self) and opsis (view).

Pathology

The scientific study of disease.

Element

A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Compound

A substance made up of two or more elements that can be broken down into its constituent elements.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Atomic Mass

The combined number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Isotopes

Two atoms that have the same atomic number but different atomic masses.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the donation of electrons from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Electrolytes

Compounds that dissociate or form ions when dissolved in water.

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction in which reactants combine only after water is lost.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that is the reverse of dehydration synthesis, where water is used to break down compounds.

PH

A measure of the $H^+$ concentration in a solution.

Acid

A substance with a pH below $7.0$ that dissociates to produce an excess of $H^+$ ions.

Base

An alkaline compound with a pH above $7.0$ that produces small amounts of $H^+$ or removes them from solution.

Buffers

Compounds that maintain pH balance by preventing sudden changes in the $H^+$ ion concentration.

Enzymes

Chemical catalysts that assist and speed up chemical reactions.