Test 1 study guide

Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology that studies the structure and organization of living organisms, particularly the arrangement and interactions of body parts such as bones, muscles, and organs, to understand their form and function.

Physiology

Physiology is the scientific study of the functions and processes of living organisms, examining how various body parts work in concert to maintain life, including the mechanisms of organs and systems.

Levels of Structural Organization

The levels of structural organization refer to a hierarchical framework that illustrates the complexity of the body, ranging from the smallest chemical level (atoms and molecules) to the highest organismal level (complete, living beings), highlighting how each level interacts within biological systems.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the dynamic process by which living organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable conditions, such as temperature, pH, and electrolyte levels, despite external fluctuations and changes, ensuring optimal functionality.

Negative Feedback Loop

A negative feedback loop is a biological control mechanism that counteracts deviations from a set point, effectively restoring equilibrium to a system by initiating corrective actions to return to desired conditions.

Superior

Superior is a directional term used in anatomy to indicate that a body part is positioned above another part or is closer to the head in the standard anatomical position, facilitating the understanding of spatial relationships between structures.

Inferior

Inferior refers to a directional term that describes a body part located below another part or closer to the feet in the anatomical position, providing clarity in the relative placement of anatomical structures.

Anterior

Anterior is a term used to describe the front of the body or a structure, indicating a position towards the belly side in bilateral animals, aiding in directional orientation in anatomical contexts.

Posterior

Posterior describes the back of the body or a structure, indicating a position towards the rear side in anatomical terminology, which helps to properly reference body parts during examination.

Dorsal Body Cavity

The dorsal body cavity is a major anatomical cavity that houses and protects components of the central nervous system, specifically encompassing the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral cavity (surrounding the spinal cord), playing critical roles in organismal protection.

Ventral Body Cavity

The ventral body cavity is a significant body cavity that contains essential organs, divided into the thoracic cavity (housing the heart and lungs) and the abdominopelvic cavity (enclosing digestive and reproductive organs), facilitating organ function and interaction.

Chemical Energy

Chemical energy is the form of potential energy stored within the chemical bonds of molecules, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can be released and utilized by living organisms to power cellular processes and components.

pH Scale

The pH scale is a logarithmic scale ranging from 0 to 14 that measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, with lower values signifying increasing acidity, a neutral value at 7, and higher values indicating alkalinity, reflecting hydrogen ion concentration.

Acids

Acids are substances characterized by their ability to donate hydrogen ions (H+) in an aqueous solution, which elevates the concentration of H+ ions, resulting in a lower pH and fostering acidic conditions within the solution.

Active Transport

Active transport refers to the energy-dependent process that moves substances across cell membranes against their concentration gradient, typically utilizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to facilitate the transport of molecules both into and out of cells.

Epithelial Tissue

Epithelial tissue consists of closely packed cells that form protective layers covering body surfaces, lining cavities, and forming organs, playing vital roles in functions such as absorption, secretion, sensation, and protection against environmental damage.

Connective Tissue

Connective tissue is a diverse group of tissues characterized by their ability to support, bind, and protect other tissues and organs, featuring an extracellular matrix and different cell types that design the structural framework of the body.

Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is a type of striated, voluntary muscle tissue that is under conscious control, enabling the movement of bones within the skeleton and facilitating a wide range of voluntary movements throughout the body.

Mitochondria

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell; they are organelles responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through aerobic respiration, thus supplying energy necessary for various cellular activities.

Nucleus

The nucleus serves as the cellular control center, housing the genetic material (DNA) that governs cellular development and function, regulating gene expression and coordinating various cellular processes.

Passive Transport

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the expenditure of cellular energy, occurring along the concentration gradient until equilibrium is achieved, allowing for the natural flow of molecules.

Simple Squamous Epithelium

Simple squamous epithelium is a single layer of flat, thin cells that promotes efficient diffusion of gases and substances, commonly found in structures such as the pulmonary alveoli in the lungs and the lining of blood vessels.

Lysosomes

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign substances, playing a crucial role in cellular digestion and recycling of components.

Cilia

Cilia are microscopic, hair-like structures that extend from the surface of certain cells, functioning to facilitate movement across the cell surface and assisting in the transport of substances such as mucus and fluids.

Primary Active Transport

Primary active transport is an energy-requiring process that directly utilizes ATP to move molecules against their concentration gradient, distinguishing it from secondary active transport which relies on the gradients created by primary transport.

Neurons

Neurons are specialized nerve cells that transmit electrical signals throughout the body, playing a critical role in communication within the nervous system, enabling sensory perception, motor functions, and cognitive processes.

Cardiac Muscle

Cardiac muscle is an involuntary type of muscle found exclusively in the heart, characterized by striated fibers that contract rhythmically and continuously to pump blood throughout the circulatory system and maintain blood circulation.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's initial immune response to tissue injury or infection, characterized by increased blood flow, swelling, heat, and clot formation, assisting in healing processes and defense against pathogens.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is a type of endoplasmic reticulum characterized by the presence of ribosomes on its surface, playing a key role in the synthesis and modification of proteins for secretion or internal use.

Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic and flexible structure composed of various lipids and proteins, allowing for fluidity and mobility of components within the membrane, crucial for cellular function.

Acids/Bases

Acids and bases are substances that can alter the pH of a solution; acids have a pH less than 7 (indicating a higher concentration of H+ ions), while bases have a pH greater than 7 (indicating a lower concentration of H+ ions).

Serous Membranes

Serous membranes are thin layers of tissue that line the cavities of the body and cover internal organs, producing serous fluid to reduce friction between moving organs and facilitating their function.

Regeneration

Regeneration is the biological process through which new tissue forms in response to injury or damage, restoring normal function and homeostasis in the affected area, often involving the proliferation of specialized cells.

Saturated Fats

Saturated fats are a type of dietary fat characterized by the absence of double bonds between carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature, and commonly found in animal products as well as some plant oils.

Neurons and Supporting Cells

Neurons and supporting cells, or glia, are the two primary cell types within nervous tissue, where neurons are responsible for signal transmission and communication, while supporting cells provide essential structural support and protection for neurons.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified squamous epithelium is a type of epithelial tissue composed of multiple layers of cells that provide a protective barrier against mechanical stresses and abrasion, commonly found in the skin and lining of the oral cavity.

Positive Feedback Loop

A positive feedback loop is a physiological mechanism that enhances an initial stimulus, amplifying its effects, as observed in processes such as childbirth contractions, where the hormone oxytocin increases the strength and frequency of contractions.

Osmosis

Osmosis is the passive movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, achieving equilibrium.

Diffusion

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, resulting in a net movement until equilibrium is reached.

Tissue

Tissue is a group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function, categorized into four primary types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

Organ Systems

Organ systems are groups of organs that collaborate to perform complex functions vital for the organism's survival, such as the circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems.

Anatomical Position

The anatomical position is a standardized stance in which the body is standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward, providing a reference for anatomical terminology.

Metabolism

Metabolism encompasses all chemical reactions that occur within a living organism to maintain life, including catabolism (breakdown of molecules) and anabolism (synthesis of compounds).

Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the potential to develop into various cell types, playing a crucial role in growth, repair, and regeneration of tissues.

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is the programmed cell death process that helps maintain healthy tissue homeostasis by eliminating damaged or unneeded cells without causing inflammation.