A&P 1-5 Complete

Epidermis

The outermost layer of skin, made up of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

tissues of integumentary system

epithelium, connective, muscle, nerves

Functions of the Integumentary System

1. Regulation of body temperature

2. Reservoir for blood

3. Protection from the external environment

4. Sensory perceptions

5. Excretes and absorbs

6. Synthesis of vitamin D

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, containing connective tissue, hair follicles, and glands.

Keratinocytes

The predominant cell type in the epidermis, responsible for producing keratin, a tough fibrous protein.

Melanocytes

Cells in the epidermis that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.

Tactile Epithelial Cells (Merkel Cells)

Specialized cells in the epidermis that detect touch and pressure.

Stratum Corneum

The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, flattened keratinocytes.

Papillary Region

The upper layer of the dermis, composed of areolar connective tissue, containing capillaries and sensory neurons.

Reticular Region

The deeper layer of the dermis, made of dense irregular connective tissue, containing collagen and elastic fibers.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands in the skin that secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates hair and skin, inhibits bacteria

Sudoriferous Glands

Sweat glands that help regulate body temperature and excrete waste products.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

A type of sweat gland that helps cool the body through evaporation.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands located in specific areas, such as the axilla and groin, that become active during puberty.

Ceruminous glands

Involved in producing a waxy secretion called cerumen (earwax)

Hair Follicle

The structure from which hair grows, consisting of several layers including the internal and external root sheaths.

Hair Shaft

The visible part of the hair that extends above the skin surface.

Nail Matrix

The tissue at the base of the nail that produces new nail cells.

Burn Classification

The grading of burns based on the depth of tissue affected, including first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns.

Epidermal Wound Healing

The process of healing that occurs when superficial wounds affect only the epidermis.

Deep Wound Healing

The healing process that occurs when an injury extends into the dermis and subcutaneous layer, involving multiple phases (Inflammatory Phase • Migratory Phase – • Proliferative Phase – • Maturation Phase).

types of skin

Thin (hairy) skin covers all body regions except the palms, palmar surfaces of digits, and soles & Thick (hairless) skin covers the palms, palmar surfaces of digits, and soles

types of hairs

Lanugo – fine, nonpigmented, downy hairs that cover the body of the fetus • Vellus hairs – short, fine, pale hairs barely visible to the naked eye • Long, coarse, heavily pigmented hairs

Chemical Level of Organization

The study of the chemical elements and their interactions that form the basis of biological structures and functions in living organisms.

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment in the body, including the proper balance of chemicals.

Biomolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. (main ones O, C, H, N)

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that serve as a primary energy source and structural components in cells, including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules that include fats, oils, and steroids, serving as long-term energy storage and structural components of cell membranes.

Proteins

Large, complex molecules made of amino acids that perform a variety of functions, including structural support, transport, and catalysis of biochemical reactions.

Nucleic Acids

Biomolecules that store and transmit genetic information, including DNA and RNA.

Atomic Number

The unique number assigned to each element, representing the number of protons in its nucleus.

Isotope

Variants of a chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge.

Ionic Bond

A type of chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Electrolytes

Ionic compounds that dissociate into ions in solution and can conduct electrical current.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when two or more atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, important in the structure of water and biological molecules.

Buffer Systems

Biological systems that help maintain pH balance by neutralizing acids and bases.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, containing an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side chain.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst that accelerates chemical reactions in living organisms, characterized by high specificity and efficiency.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Level of Organization

A structure made up of two or more types of tissues that performs a specific set of functions.

Chemical Level

The most basic level of organization in the human body, involving atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

The level of organization that includes cells, the basic unit of life.

Tissue Level

The level of organization where similar cells group together to perform a specific function.

Organ Level

The level of organization where different types of tissues work together to perform specific functions.

System Level

The level of organization where groups of organs work together to perform complex functions.

Organismal Level

The highest level of organization, representing a complete living being.

Integumentary System

The system that includes skin and associated structures, providing protection and regulating temperature. Skin and associated structures, such as hair, fingernails and toenails, sweat and oil glands.

Skeletal System

The system composed of bones and joints, providing support and protection for the body. Bones and joints of the body and cartilage

Muscular System

The system that includes skeletal muscle tissue, responsible for body movements and heat production.

Nervous System

The system that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, regulating body activities through nerve impulses.

Endocrine System

The system of hormone-producing glands that regulate body activities through chemical messengers. Hormone-producing glands (pineal gland, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thymus, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes) and hormone-producing cells in several other organs.

Cardiovascular System

The system that includes the heart and blood vessels, responsible for transporting blood and nutrients.

Lymphatic System

The system that includes lymphatic fluid and vessels (spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and tonsils; cells that carry out immune responses (B cells, T cells, and others)), playing a role in immunity and fluid balance.

Respiratory System

The system that includes the lungs and air passageways (pharynx (throat), larynx{voice box), trachea (windpipe), and bronchial tubes leading into and out of lungs.), responsible for gas exchange.

Digestive System

The system that includes organs for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. pharynx (throat), esophagus (food tube), stomach, small and large intestines, and anus; also includes accessory organs that assist in digestive processes, such as salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas

Urinary System

The system that includes kidneys and bladder, responsible for waste elimination and blood regulation.

Reproductive System

The system that includes gonads and associated organs, responsible for producing gametes and hormones. Gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females) and associated organs (uterine tubes or fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands in females and epididymis, ductus or (vas) deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis in males)

6 life processes

Metabolism, Responsiveness, Movement, Growth, Differentiation, Reproduction

Homeostasis

A dynamic condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment, maintained by regulatory processes. Walter B. Cannon

Feedback Loop

A system that includes receptors, control center, and effectors to maintain homeostasis.

Negative Feedback

A control mechanism that counteracts changes to maintain homeostasis.

Positive Feedback

A control mechanism that enhances or intensifies changes in the body.

Directional Terms

Terms that describe the location of body parts in relation to each other (e.g., superior, inferior).

Body Cavities

Spaces within the body that protect and support internal organs.

Serous Membranes

Double-layered membranes that cover internal organs (viscera) and reduce friction.

Medical Imaging

Techniques used to visualize structures inside the body for diagnosis.

Radiography

An imaging technique using X-rays to produce images of internal structures.

MRI

An imaging technique using magnetic fields to create detailed images of body tissues.

Ultrasound Scanning

An imaging technique using sound waves to visualize organs and blood flow.

Endoscopy

A procedure using a lighted instrument to visualize the interior of organs.

Radionuclide Scanning

An imaging technique using radioactive substances to create images of tissues.

superior

Toward the head, or the upper part of a structure

inferior

Away from the head, or the lower part of a structure

anterior

Nearer to or at the front of the body.

posterior

Nearer to or at the back of the body.

medial

Nearer to the midline (an imaginary vertical line thatdivides the body into equal right and leftsides).

lateral

farther from the midline

intermediate

between two structures

ispilateral

on the same side

contralateral

on the opposite side

proximal

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk; nearer to the origination of a structure

distal

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk; farther from the origination of a structure

superficial

on or nearthe surface

deep

away from the surface

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.

Prokaryotes

Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Plasma Membrane

The outer boundary of a cell that separates its internal environment from the outside; selectively permeable and does cellular communication

Cytoplasm

The cellular contents between the plasma membrane and the nucleus, including cytosol and organelles, mostly water

Nucleus

A large organelle that contains DNA organized into chromosomes and is responsible for controlling cellular activities.

Cytosol

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm, primarily composed of water.

Organelles

Specialized structures within a cell that perform specific functions.

Membrane Proteins

Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane that serve various functions, including transport and communication.

Active Transport

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, often in the form of ATP.

Osmosis

The net movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Tonicity

The ability of a solution to influence the shape of body cells, categorized as isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic.

Endocytosis

The process by which materials move into a cell in a vesicle formed from the plasma membrane.

Exocytosis

The process by which membrane-enclosed secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents outside the cell.

transcytosis

a combination of endocytosis and exocytosis used to move substances from one side of a cell, across it, and out the other side