Anatomy and Physiology Lab: Cells, Tissues, Microscopy, and the Skeletal System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering cellular anatomy, tissue classifications, microscopy terminology and optics, and skeletal system fundamentals for Anatomy and Physiology Lab Exam 2.

Levels of Structural Organization

The six primary levels of structural organization in large multicellular organisms, listed in order of increasing size and complexity: chemical level, cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level, and organismic level.

Cytology

The study and the knowledge of cells; a subdivision and branch of biology.

Cyto-

A word component meaning cell.

-logy

A suffix derived from ancient Greek meaning both "the study of" and "the knowledge of".

Cytologist

A biologist who specializes in the study of cells.

Cell

The basic living structural and functional unit of all living things, representing the second level of structural organization.

Nucleus

One of the three primary structural parts of a typical animal cell; it contains the cell's genetic material.

Cytoplasm

The region surrounding the nucleus of a cell, composed of two primary components: the cytosol and the organelles.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm.

Organelles

Tiny structures located within the cytoplasm that enable the cell to carry out its functions and stay alive.

Cell Membrane

The outermost structure of every animal cell that protects the cell, separates it from its environment, and regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell; also known as the plasma membrane or plasmalemma.

Intracellular Substance

Nonliving material produced by and cast off from cells that is situated between the cells within a tissue.

Histology

The study and the knowledge of tissues; a subdivision and branch of biology.

Hist-

A word component meaning tissue.

Histologist

A biologist who specializes in the study of tissues.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more different types of tissue, representing the fourth level of structural organization.

Four Principal Categories of Mammalian Tissues

The four main tissue classifications found in mammals: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscular tissue (muscle tissue), and nervous tissue (nerve or neural tissue).

Microscopy

The study of microscopes and the use of microscopes.

Field of View

The circular horizontal area visible when looking through a microscope; its size decreases as magnification increases.

Depth of Field

The vertical distance downward into a sample in which an object remains clearly in focus; also known as depth of focus.

Resolution

The ability to see the fine details of a structure, such as the fine details of a cell.

High Resolution

The ability to distinguish closely placed objects (such as two adjacent cells) as separate entities.

Contrast

The ability to distinguish an object (such as a cell) from its background.

Ocular Lenses

The eyepieces of a microscope; in a binocular microscope, there are two identical ocular lenses, each providing $10\times$ magnification on the laboratory model.

Total Magnification

The overall magnification of a specimen, calculated by the formula: $\text{magnification of one ocular lens} \times \text{magnification of one objective lens} = \text{total magnification}$.

Articulated

A term describing bones that form articulations (joints) and remain held together.

Disarticulated

A term describing bones that do not form joints and have been separated or taken apart from one another.

Articulations

The scientific term for joints; points of contact or near contact between bones, and between bones and teeth.

Osseous Tissue

The scientific term for bone tissue, which occurs in two forms: compact bone and spongy bone.

Skeleton

The internal framework of the human body, composed of bones, joints, cartilage, and connective tissue structures.

Axial Skeleton

The primary skeletal division running down the center of the body, composed of the skull, vertebral column, bony thorax (thoracic cage), and hyoid bone.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeletal division that attaches to the axial skeleton and forms the appendages (limbs), including shoulders, arms, hips, and legs.

Cranial Sutures

A type of joint that connects the bones of the skull together, named for its appearance resembling surgical stitches.

Arthrology

The study and the knowledge of articulations (joints).

Articular

An adjective meaning pertaining to articulations or pertaining to joints.

Articulate

A verb meaning to form articulations or to form joints.