Anatomy and Cell Biology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering organization levels, body cavities, membranes, anatomical terms, organ systems, cellular structures, organelles, transport mechanisms, genetics, tissue types, and bone physiology.

Tissue

A group of similar cells and extracellular material working together to perform a common function.

Organ

A discrete structure made of two or more tissue types that performs a specific function.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to perform specific functions.

Organism

The entire living individual, made up of multiple organ systems working together.

Diaphragm

A muscular sheet that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Mediastinum

The central region of the thoracic cavity between the lungs containing structures such as the heart, trachea, esophagus, thymus, and major blood vessels.

Serous Membrane

A membrane that lines certain body cavities and covers organs, producing fluid that allows organs to slide with minimal friction.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the body cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that covers the organ itself.

Mucous Membrane

A membrane that lines passages open to the exterior, such as parts of the digestive and respiratory tracts, and secretes mucus.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, with the head and eyes forward, arms at the sides, palms facing anteriorly, and feet directed forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head or toward the lower part of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward or at the body's midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the body's midline.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the origin or point of attachment of a limb.

Distal

Directional term meaning farther from the origin or point of attachment of a limb.

Frontal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Sagittal Plane

An anatomical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Midsagittal Plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Cytoplasm

Everything between the plasma membrane and nucleus, including the cytosol, organelles, and inclusions.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm.

Diploid

Having two sets of chromosomes ($2n$).

Haploid

Having one set of chromosomes ($n$).

Selective Permeability

The property of a plasma membrane that allows some substances to cross more easily than others.

Passive Transport

Movement across a membrane that does not require cellular energy (ATP).

Simple Diffusion

Movement of substances from high concentration to low concentration directly through the lipid bilayer.

Facilitated Diffusion

Movement down a concentration gradient through a membrane protein without ATP.

Osmosis

Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

Movement of substances against their concentration/electrochemical gradient using cellular energy.

Chromatin

DNA associated with proteins, primarily histones, in the nucleus.

Rough ER

An organelle covered with ribosomes that synthesizes proteins destined for secretion, membranes, or certain organelles.

Smooth ER

An organelle without ribosomes that performs lipid synthesis, detoxification, and other metabolic functions.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids into vesicles.

Lysosome

An organelle rich in hydrolytic/digestive enzymes that digests cellular debris, worn-out organelles, pathogens, and other materials.

Autolysis

Digestion/destruction of a cell by its own lysosomal enzymes.

Peroxisomes

Organelles containing oxidases and catalase involved in oxidation, detoxification, breaking down fatty acids, and neutralizing reactive oxygen species.

Mitochondrion

The double-membraned organelle known as the powerhouse of the cell that produces most of the cell's ATP through aerobic cellular respiration.

Exocytosis

Process in which a vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and releases its contents outside the cell.

Endocytosis

Process in which the plasma membrane surrounds material and brings it into the cell in a vesicle.

Phagocytosis

Cell eating; endocytosis of large particles or solids.

Pinocytosis

Cell drinking; endocytosis of extracellular fluid and dissolved substances.

Microfilaments

Cytoskeletal elements made of actin that are important for cell shape, movement, contraction, and forming the contractile ring during cytokinesis.

Intermediate Filaments

Tough, rope-like protein fibers that provide mechanical strength, anchor organelles, strengthen cell junctions, and support the nucleus.

Microtubules

Hollow tubes made of tubulin used for maintaining cell shape, intracellular transport, chromosome movement, and forming cilia and flagella.

Transcription

The process of making RNA from a DNA template in the nucleus.

Translation

The process of using mRNA to build a polypeptide/protein at ribosomes.

Mitosis

Division of the cell nucleus through four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Cytokinesis

Division of the cytoplasm to form two daughter cells.

Basement Membrane

The membrane to which epithelial cells are anchored.

Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium

An epithelium that looks multilayered, but all cells touch the basement membrane.

Transitional Epithelium

Specialized epithelium found inside hollow urinary organs (such as the bladder) that allows organs to stretch and distend.

Merocrine Secretion

The most common method of glandular release where secretion occurs by exocytosis.

Holocrine Secretion

Glandular secretion method in which the cell accumulates its product and then the entire cell breaks apart.

Extracellular Matrix

The nonliving material surrounding connective tissue cells, consisting of fibers and ground substance.

Fibroblasts

Cells that produce fibers and ground substance that form the extracellular matrix in connective tissue.

Histamine

A substance released by mast cells that increases blood flow by dilating blood vessels.

Heparin

A substance released by mast cells that inhibits blood clotting.

Appositional Growth

Cartilage growth that occurs by adding new matrix to the outside/periphery of the cartilage.

Interstitial Growth

Cartilage growth occurring within the cartilage as chondrocytes divide and produce new matrix.

Osteon

The basic structural unit of compact bone, also known as the Haversian system.

Osteoblasts

Bone cells that build and deposit bone tissue.

Osteoclasts

Cells derived from white blood cell lineage that break down and resorb bone using hydrochloric acid ($\text{HCl}$).

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that live inside lacunae.

Canaliculi

Small channels through which osteocytes connect with each other.

Epiphyseal Plate

A plate of hyaline cartilage that allows long bones to grow in length during childhood.

Ligament

A connective tissue structure that connects bone to bone.

Tendon

A connective tissue structure that connects muscle to bone.

Nucleus Pulposus

The gelatinous inner portion of an intervertebral disc that absorbs compressive stress.

Annulus Fibrosus

The outer rings of an intervertebral disc that contain the nucleus pulposus and limit its expansion.

Scoliosis

Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Kyphosis

Exaggerated thoracic curvature of the spine, commonly called hunchback.

Lordosis

Exaggerated lumbar curvature of the spine, commonly called swayback.