BIOS-150: Foundations of Human Biology Flashcards

This flashcard set covers the foundational concepts of human biology, course grading requirements, body systems, medical terminology (prefixes, roots, and suffixes), and anatomical directional terms and planes.

Human Biology

The study of how the human body is built, functions, and malfunctions, covering everything from cells to organ systems.

Levels of Organization

The hierarchy of the body's structure ordered from least to most complex: Cell \rightarrow Tissue \rightarrow Organ \rightarrow Organ System \rightarrow Organism.

Theory and Core Grade Requirement

To pass the course, a student must earn at least $76\%$ in both Theory (Lecture) and Core (Lab) independently.

Nervous System

The body's command center that controls movement, senses, breathing, and thought.

Endocrine System

A system that works slowly by releasing hormones to regulate growth, metabolism, and stress response.

Respiratory System

The system responsible for delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the body.

Digestive System

The system that breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Circulatory System

The system that moves oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout the body.

Urinary System

The system that filters waste from the blood and produces urine.

Skeletal System

A system providing support, protecting organs, and producing blood cells.

Muscular System

A system that works with bones to allow movement and generate heat.

Immune System

The system responsible for fighting infection and disease.

Integumentary System

A barrier system consisting of skin, hair, and nails that protects against germs.

Genital System

The system that enables reproduction and the passing on of genetic material.

Prefix

The part appearing at the beginning of a medical term that often describes time, amount, location, or size.

Root

The core part of a medical term that identifies the specific body part or system concerned.

Suffix

The part at the end of a medical term that describes a condition, procedure, or specialty.

brady-

A prefix meaning slow, as in bradycardia.

tachy-

A prefix meaning fast, as in tachypnea.

hyper-

A prefix meaning above or too much, as in hypertension.

hypo-

A prefix meaning below or too little, as in hypoglycemia.

intra-

A prefix meaning within or inside, as in intravenous.

sub-

A prefix meaning under or below, as in subcutaneous.

cardi

A word root referring to the heart.

neur

A word root referring to the nerve.

gastr

A word root referring to the stomach.

hepat

A word root referring to the liver.

oste

A word root referring to the bone.

cyt

A word root referring to the cell.

-itis

A suffix meaning inflammation, as in arthritis.

-logy

A suffix meaning the study of, as in biology.

-ectomy

A suffix meaning surgical removal, as in appendectomy.

-algia

A suffix meaning pain, as in neuralgia.

Anatomical Position

A standard reference where the body is standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward (thumbs out), and feet slightly apart.

Anterior (ventral)

A directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

A directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Superior

A directional term meaning above or toward the head.

Inferior

A directional term meaning below or toward the feet.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the point of limb attachment.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther from the point of limb attachment.

Superficial

A directional term meaning near the surface of the body.

Deep

A directional term meaning farther below the surface of the body.

Sagittal plane

A vertically oriented plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Transverse plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Coronal plane

A vertically oriented plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Axillary

Regional term referring to the armpit.

Brachial

Regional term referring to the arm.

Antecubital

Regional term referring to the front of the elbow.

Popliteal

Regional term referring to the back of the knee.

Patellar

Regional term referring to the kneecap.

Cephalic

Regional term referring to the head.

Cervical

Regional term referring to the neck.