Animal Anatomy and Physiology I

Cartilage

Flexible connective tissue cushioning joints and supporting structures.

Circulatory system

Transports blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste throughout body.

Collagen fibers

Strong, flexible protein strands in connective tissues.

Columnar

Tall, rectangular epithelial cells lining organs.

Conduction

Transfer of signals, heat, or electricity through material.

Connective tissue

Supports, binds, and protects body structures.

Convection

Heat transfer via fluid movement.

Cuboidal

Cube-shaped epithelial cells in glands and ducts.

Dense connective tissue

Packed fibers providing strength in tendons, ligaments.

Digestive system

Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste.

Ectoderm

Outer embryonic layer forming skin, nerves.

Ectotherm

Organism relying on external heat sources.

Effector

Responds to signals by causing action.

Elastin

Stretchy protein in connective tissues.

Embryonic tissues

Early developmental layers forming organs.

Endocrine system

Produces hormones regulating body functions.

Endotherm

Organism generating internal heat.

Epithelial tissue

Covers surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands.

Evaporation

Liquid to gas transition absorbing heat.

Extracellular matrix

Network supporting cells outside plasma membrane.

Fibers

Threadlike proteins providing structure in tissues.

Gap junctions

Cell connections allowing molecule and ion exchange.

Germ layers

Embryonic tissue layers forming organs.

Ground substance

Fills spaces in connective tissue matrix.

Homeostasis

Maintains internal stability despite external changes.

Immune system

Defends body against pathogens.

Integrating center

Processes sensory input, directs responses.

Integumentary system

Skin, hair, nails protecting body.

Interneurons

Connect sensory and motor neurons.

Keratin

Tough protein in skin, hair, nails.

Ligaments

Connect bones, stabilize joints.

Loose connective tissue

Supports, cushions, and binds organs.

Mesoderm

Middle germ layer forming muscles, bones.

Metabolic rate

Energy used per unit time.

Motor neurons

Send signals from brain to muscles.

Muscular system

Enables movement through contraction.

Nervous system

Coordinates body functions via electrical signals.

Nervous tissue

Conducts electrical impulses for communication.

Neuroglia

Supports and protects neurons.

Pseudostratification

Single-layered epithelium appearing multilayered.

Radiation

Energy transfer via electromagnetic waves.

Receptor

Detects stimuli, initiates response.

Reproductive system

Produces gametes, supports offspring development.

Respiratory system

Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Response

Reaction to a stimulus.

Sensor

Detects environmental or internal changes.

Sensory neurons

Transmit sensory input to brain.

Skeletal muscles

Voluntary muscles enabling movement.

Skeletal system

Provides structure, support, and protection.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle in organs.

Spinal cord

Relays signals between brain and body.

Squamous

Flat, thin epithelial cells.

Stimulus

Triggers biological response.

Stratified

Multiple layers of cells.

Surface area to volume ratio

Affects heat, nutrient exchange efficiency.

Tissues

Groups of specialized cells performing functions.

Urinary system

Removes waste, maintains fluid balance.

Autonomic NS

Controls involuntary body functions.

Axon

Transmits impulses from neuron body.

Brain stem

Regulates basic life functions.

Cell body

Contains neuron's nucleus, organelles.

Central NS

Brain and spinal cord system.

Central sulcus

Separates frontal and parietal brain lobes.

Cerebral cortex

Outer brain layer processing information.

Contralateral

Opposite-side body control or function.

Corpus callosum

Connects brain hemispheres for communication.

Reflex arc

Automatic response pathway to stimuli.

Dendrites

Receive signals from other neurons.

Diencephalon

Brain region including thalamus, hypothalamus.

Dorsal root

Transmits sensory signals to spinal cord.

Electrochemical impulse

Signal traveling through neurons.

Frontal lobe

Controls thinking, movement, speech.

Ganglia

Clusters of neuron cell bodies.

Meninges

Protective brain and spinal cord membranes.

Monosynaptic

Reflex with single synapse pathway.

Motor pathway

Carries movement signals from brain.

Myelin sheath

Insulates axons for faster transmission.

Nerve

Bundle of axons transmitting signals.

Neuron

Nerve cell conducting impulses.

Node of Ranvier

Gaps in myelin speeding conduction.

Occipital lobe

Processes visual information.

Oligodendrocyte

Forms myelin in central nervous system.

Parasympathetic

Calms body, conserves energy.

Parietal lobe

Processes sensory input, spatial awareness.

Peripheral NS

Nerves outside brain, spinal cord.

Primary motor cortex

Controls voluntary movement.

Primary somatic cortex

Processes body sensory information.

Sensory pathway

Transmits sensory data to brain.

Sensory receptors

Detect environmental stimuli.

Schwann cell

Produces myelin in peripheral nerves.

Simple reflex arc

Direct automatic response pathway.

Somatic NS

Controls voluntary muscle movements.

Sympathetic

Activates fight-or-flight response.

Synapse

Communication point between neurons.

Synaptic terminal

Releases neurotransmitters.

Temporal lobe

Processes hearing, memory, language.

Gray matter

Contains neuron cell bodies, dendrites.

White matter

Contains myelinated axons.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter aiding muscle contraction.

Action potential

Electrical signal traveling along axon.