A&P Lab Exam study notes

Scientific Method

A systematic approach used to investigate observations, establish facts, and develop, test, and modify theories.

Hypothesis

An educated prediction that can be tested through experimentation.

Biological Waste Disposal

Proper disposal methods for biological materials, including biohazard containers for tissues and sharps containers for needles.

Anatomical Position

Body posture where the individual stands upright, faces forward, arms at sides, with palms and feet facing forward.

Superficial

A directional term indicating that a structure is closer to the surface of the body.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into left and right sections.

Dorsal Cavity

Body cavity that protects the nervous system; includes the cranial and vertebral cavities.

Serous Membranes

Thin layers that line body cavities and cover organs, consisting of parietal and visceral layers.

Total Magnification

The overall magnification of a microscope, calculated by multiplying the ocular lens magnification by the objective lens magnification.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Endocytosis

A process by which a cell takes in materials by engulfing them in a membrane.

Prophase

The stage in mitosis where chromosomes condense, the nuclear envelope disappears, and the spindle apparatus begins to form.

Chromatin

Loose, uncondensed form of DNA found in the nucleus during interphase.

Vesicular Transport

The transport of materials into or out of a cell using vesicles.

Cytokinesis

The process during cell division in which the cytoplasm divides, resulting in two daughter cells.

Facilitated Diffusion

The passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via a protein channel.

Primary Active Transport

Transport mechanism that requires energy to move ions against their concentration gradient, directly using ATP.

Nucleolus

A dense region within the nucleus where ribosome production occurs.

Active Transport

The movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Pelvic Cavity

The lower part of the ventral body cavity that contains organs related to the reproductive system and urinary bladder.

Cell Cycle

The life cycle of a cell, including stages such as interphase and mitosis.

Glycocalyx

The fuzzy-appearing coating around the cell, used for cell recognition and protection.

Tissue Preparation

Techniques used to prepare biological samples for examination under a microscope.