Anatomy Terms and Chemistry

Anatomy

The study of body structure.

Gross Anatomy

The study of structures visible with the naked eye, unaided by magnification.

Microanatomy

The study of structures that cannot be seen with the unaided eye.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Developmental anatomy

The study of all changes in the body over time.

Comparative anatomy

Comparison of structure between two animals.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Organismal physiology

The study of many functions in one group of organisms.

General physiology

The study of one function in many different groups of organisms.

Andreas Vesalius

Father of Modern Anatomy.

William Harvey

Father of modern human physiology; discovered the circulatory pattern.

Homeostasis

A state of near constancy of body composition and function maintained by negative feedback mechanisms.

Normal adult body temperature

37°C.

Sweating

Lowers body temperature by evaporative cooling.

Cutaneous vasodilation

Heat is lost by radiation to the atmosphere.

Shivering

Muscle use raises body temperature.

Cutaneous vasoconstriction

Heat is not lost by radiation to the atmosphere, so core temperature is maintained

Frontal plane

A plane that divides the body (or an organ) into anterior and posterior parts.

Median (midsagittal) plane

A plane that divides the body (or an organ) into right and left parts

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body (or an organ) into superior and inferior parts

Covalent bond

Electrons are shared by two atoms; strongest type of chemical bond listed.

Ionic bond

Formed between atoms with opposite charges.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Electrolytes

Ionically bonded substances that conduct an electrical current in water solution.

Hydrogen bond

A weak attraction between atoms; weakest chemical bond listed.

Organic compounds

Compounds containing carbon.

Four important organic compound groups

Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Proteins

Chains of amino acids.

Structural protein example

Collagen.

Enzymes

Catalyze biological reactions.

Anabolic reaction

Synthesis of complex molecules.

Catabolic reaction

Breakdown of complex molecules into simpler components.

Amphibolic reaction

Reversible reaction; direction depends on relative concentrations.

Enzyme specificity

Each enzyme can catalyze only about 1–3 chemical reactions.

Enzyme efficiency

Enzymes can have turnover rates in the millions.

Enzyme environmental sensitivity

Each enzyme has specific requirements for temperature, pH, pressure, and other conditions.

Transport proteins

Hemoglobin and myoglobin bind and transport O₂.

Protection proteins

Immunoglobulins attack foreign molecules; blood clotting elements help stop bleeding.

Information transmission proteins

Hormones and neurotransmitters.

Amino acids in the body

20 amino acids are arranged in sequences to produce protein molecules.

Carbohydrates

Sugars and their relatives.

Monosaccharides

Carbohydrates with six carbons or fewer.

Trioses

3-carbon monosaccharides.

Pentoses

5-carbon monosaccharides, including ribose and deoxyribose.

Hexoses

6-carbon monosaccharides.

Glucose

Ultimate source of all cell energy.

Fructose

Fruit sugar.

Disaccharides

Two 6-carbon units = 12 carbons.

Sucrose

Glucose + fructose; table sugar.

Lactose

Glucose + galactose; milk sugar.

Maltose

Two glucose molecules; malt sugar.

Polysaccharides

Three or more 6-carbon units = 18+ carbons.

Amylose

Starch; energy storage in plants.

Cellulose

Wood; made of long chains of glucose.

Carbohydrate solubility rule

Solubility in water generally decreases as molecular complexity increases.

Monosaccharides in water

Highly soluble.

Disaccharides in water

Moderately soluble.

Polysaccharides in water

Slightly soluble to insoluble.

Glycogen

The polymer form in which glucose is stored in muscles and liver.

Lipids (triglycerides)

Three fatty acids attached to one glycerol backbone.

Lipid solubility

Lipids are insoluble in water.

Saturated fatty acids

Straight chains that pack tightly, producing a relatively solid lipid mass.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Have double bonds; examples include vegetable oils.

Nucleic acids

Chemicals of heredity that contain pentoses.

DNA

Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid.

RNA

Ribose Nucleic Acid.