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Anatomy
the science of the structure of living organisms
physiology
the science of the functioning of living organisms
atoms
the smallest part of an element; indivisible chemical means
cells
the basic biological unit of living organisms, enclosed by a limiting membrane; cells in more complex organisms contain a nucleus and a variety of organelles
tissues
a group of similar cells socialized to perform a specific function; primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues
organ
a part of the body formed of two or more tissues that performs a specialized function
organ system
a group of organs that work together to perform a vital body function
organism
an individual living thing
integumentary system
the skin and its accessory organs
skeletal system
system of protection and support composed primarily of bone and cartilage
muscular system
organ system consisting of skeletal muscles and their connective tissue attachments
nervous system
fast-acting control system that employs nerve impulses to trigger muscle contraction or gland secretion
endocrine system
body system that includes internal organs that secrete hormones
cardiovascular system
organ system that distributes blood to all parts of the body
lymphatic system
the lymphatic vessels, and the lymphoid tissues and organs including lymph nodes
respiratory system
organ system that carries out gas exchange; includes the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs
digestive system
system that processes food into absorbable units and eliminates indigestible wastes
urinary system
system primarily responsible for water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance and the removal of nitrogen-containing wastes from the blood
reproductive system
organ system that functions to produce offspring
movement
an act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed
responsiveness/irritability
the ability to sense changes (stimuli) in the environment and then to react to them; see also irritability
digestion
the body process of breaking down foods chemicals and mechanically
metabolism
the sum total of the chemical reactions that occur in the body
excretion
the elimination of waste products from the body
reproduction
the action or process of making a copy of something
growth
the process of increasing in physical size
nutrients
a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life
oxygen
the odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life
normal body temperature
the typical temperature range found in humans
atmospheric pressure
the pressure of the air outside the body
homeostasis
a state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body
receptor
(1) a peripheral nerve ending specialized for response to particular types of stimuli; (2) molecule that binds spe- cifically with other molecules, e.g., hormones and neurotransmitters.
control center
the body structure that determines the normal range of the variable, or set point
effector
an organ, gland, or muscle capable of being activated by nerve endings
negative feedback
occurs when a system’s output acts to reduce or dampen the processes that lead to the output of that system, resulting in less output
positive feedback
intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition rather than reversing it
homeostatic imbalance
an inability of the body to restore a functional, stable internal environment
anatomical position
describes the body in standing position when feet and head are facing forward; arms to the side with palms facing the front
directional terms
describes the positions of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body
regional terms
describe the different parts of the body by the structures and functions of a specific region
section
a segment or subdivision of an organ
plane
an imaginary vertical and horizontal line used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes
body cavities
spaces within the body that contain and protect special organs
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