pltw human body systems

glossary of all the vocab terms of hbs!

ABO system

a system of four types (A, AB, B, and O) which human blood is classified into, based on the presence or absence of certain antigens

abstraction

the process of taking away or removing characteristics from something to reduce it to a set of essential characteristics

accessory organs

the accessory organs of the digestive system aid in the digestion of our food, but are not a part of the long Gl tube. these accessory organs include teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas

acquired immunity

specific immune defense mechanisms. this form of immunity is acquired over a lifetime and used antibodies to respond to specific antigens. there are two forms:

1. active immunity: acquired as a result of infection and recovery or from a vaccine; your body makes its own antibodies

2. passive immunity: acquired from another mother; antibodies are given to a child through the placenta or through breastfeeding

actin

a contractile protein that is part of the thin filaments in muscle fibers

action potential

a brief electrical impulse that travels along the axon of a neuron

active ROM exercise

exercises that are completed by the patient moving the limb it body part around the stiff joint without the help of their physical therapist

adenine

a component of nucleic acids found in DNA and RNA and in the energy-carrying molecule, ATP. it is a purine base

adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP)

a compound composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups, which supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes

agglutination

the clumping of particles

albumin

a protein made by our liver that plays an essential role in keeping the fluid in your blood from leaking into your tissues

algor mortis

the change in body temperature after death

algorithm

a procedure used for solving a problem or performing a computation

altitude sickness

the body’s physical reaction to difficulty adjusting to high altitudes. this is due to low oxygen pressure and systems can include nausea, dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath

amino acid

one of a group of compounds that, when linked in a chain with other amino acids, forms a protein

anatomical planes

a hypothetical plane used to intersect the body, in order to describe the location of structures or the direction of movements

anatomist

an expert in anatomy

anemia

a condition in which blood is deficient in red blood cells or in functional red blood cells; leads to reduced oxygen levels in the body

angiogram

a medical imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels; uses an imaging dye

angioplasty

a surgical method to restore the flow of blood through an artery

antibody

a protein produced by B cells in the blood; works to impair pathogens. also called immunoglobulin

anticodon

a sequence of three nucleotides in a transfer RNA (tRNA) molecule. complementary to a codon on messenger RNA (mRNA). critical to protein synthesis, they function in building an amino acid chain

antigen

Anything that stimulates an immune response.

aorta

The largest artery in the body, the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body.

aortic valve

One of four valves in the heart, the aortic valve separates the left ventricle and the aorta, and functions to prevent blood from flowing back into the left ventricle.

app

A software application, especially one that a user downloads to a mobile device.

appendicular

Relating to an appendix or appendage, especially the limbs.

aqueous humor

The fluid that fills the space between the lens and the cornea

arrhythmia