Unit Two - Human A&P

Cells & Tissues

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

A nucleotide composed of an adenine base, a sugar, and three phosphate groups.

Electrolyte

A substance that dissolves in water into particles with positive and negative charges.

Enzymes

Proteins that speed up specific biological reactions.

Glucose

The main form of sugar that circulates in the blood.

Glycogen

A polymer of glucose found in animals; stored form of glucose.

Active Transport

A process that requires energy to move against a concentration gradient, from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration.

Cilia

Hair-like projections hat actively flex back and forth to move fluid or mucus across the outside of a cell.

Diffusion

The movement of material from a place where it is concentrated to a place where it is less concentrated.

Endocytosis

The process in which a region of the cell membrane forms a pocket into the cell and pinches off to form a membrane-bound sac, or vesicle, inside the cytoplasm.

Exocytosis

The process in which a small, membrane-bound vesicle in the cytoplasm fuses with the cell’s membrane to export molecules from the vesicle to the outside.

The process in which cell membranes fuse together and then push debris from the cell vesicle to the outside of the cell.

Glycolysis

The breakdown of a glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules.

Microvilli

Finger-like extensions that increased the surface area of a cell.

Passive Transport

A method of transport that does not require any energy.

Endocrine Gland

A gland that secretes its product into the interstitial space.

Exocrine Gland

A gland that secretes its product to the outside world.

Histology

The study of tissues.