Ch. 2: The Body as a Whole, Cells, and Genes

Chromatin (-tin; pertaining to) (chrom/a-; color)

DNA that forms chromosomes during cell division.

Chromosome (chrom/o-; color) (-some; body)

Chromosomal (adj.) (-al; pertaining to)

1. The body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes.

2. Pertaining to a chromosome.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) (-ic; pertaining to) (de-; without) (-oxy-; oxygen) (-ribo-; ribose) (-nucle-; nucleus) (acid; acid, low pH)

The chemical repository of hereditary characteristics.

Epigenetics (-etics; pertaining to) (epi-; above,over) (-gen-; to create)

The study of disorders produced by the effects of chemical compounds (e.g., pollutants) or environmental influences (such as diets) on genes.

Gene (Greek birth) (gen-; to create)

Genetic (adj.) (-etic; pertaining to)

Genome (-ome; body)

1. The functional unit of heredity on a chromosome.

2. Pertaining to genetics.

3. A complete set of chromosomes.

Helix (Greek a coil)

A spiral of nucleotides in the structure of DNA.

Heredity (Latin an heir) (heredit-; inherited through genes)

Hereditary (adj.) (-ary; pertaining to)

1. The transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring.

2. Transmissible from parent to offspring.

Histone (-one; chemical) (hist-; tissue)

A simple protein found in the cell nucleus.

Karyotype (-type; model) (kary/o-; nucleus)

The chromosome characteristics of an individual cell.

Mitosis (Greek thread)

Cell division to create two identical cells, each with 46 chromosomes.

Mutation (Latin to change)

A permanent alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome.

Nucleotide (nucle/o- nucleus) (-tide time)

Combination of a DNA base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate molecule.

Phenotype (-type model) (phen/o- appearance)

Manifestation of a genome.

Replicate (verb) (Latin a reply)

To produce an exact copy.

Cytogenetics (-etics pertaining to) (Cyto- cell) (-gen- create)

Study of chromosomal abnormalities in a cell.

Dysmorphology (-logy study of) (dys- difficult, bad) (-morph/o- form)

Dysmorphic (adj.) (-ic pertaining to)

1. Study of developmental structural defects.

2. Possessing a developmental structural defect.

Embryo (Greek a young one)

Developing organism from conception until the end of the eighth week.

Fetus (Latin offspring)

Human organism from the end of the eighth week to birth.

Predictive (adj.) (-ive quality of) (pre- before) (-dict- consent)

The likelihood of a disease or disorder being present or occurring in the future.

Prenatal (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (pre- before) (-nat- born)

Pertaining to before birth.

Therapy (Greek medical treatment) (Therap- treatment)

Therapeutic (adj.) (therapeut- treatment) (-ic pertaining to)

Therapist (-ist specialist)

1. Systematic treatment of a disease, dysfunction, or disorder.

2. Relating to the treatment of a disease or disorder.

3. Professional trained in the practice of a particular therapy.

Capsule (Latin little box) (capsul- box)

Capsular (adj.) (-ar pertaining to)

1. Fibrous tissue layer surrounding a joint or other structure.

2. Pertaining to a capsule.

Cartilage (Latin gristle)

Nonvascular, firm connective tissue found mostly in joints.

Collagen (-gen produce, form) (coll/a- glue)

Major protein of connective tissue, cartilage, and bone.

Connective Tissue (-ive pertaining to) (connect- join together) (tissue Latin to weave)

The supporting tissue of the body.

Cruciate (adj.) (Latin cross)

Shaped like a cross.

Histology (-logy study of) (hist/o- tissue)

Histologist (-logist one who studies, specialist)

1. Study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs.

2. Specialist in histology.

Ligament (Latin band)

Band of fibrous tissue connecting two structures.

Matrix (Latin mater mother)

Substance that surrounds and protects cells, is manufactured by the cells, and holds them together.

Meniscus (Greek crescent)

Disc of cartilage between the bones of a joint.

Muscle (Latin muscle)

A tissue consisting of contractile cells.

Nutrient (-ent end result) (nutri- nourish)

A substance in food required for normal physiologic function.

Periosteum (-um tissue) (peri- around) (-oste- bone)

Fibrous membrane covering a bone.

Synovial (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (syn- together) (ov/i- egg)

Pertaining to the synovial membrane or fluid.

Tendon (Latin sinew)

Fibrous band that connects muscle to bone.

Cardiovascular (adj.) (-ar pertaining to) (cardi/o- heart) (-vascul- blood vessel)

Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.

Digestion (-ion action) (Digest- break down food)

Digestive (adj.) (-ive pertaining to)

1. Breakdown of food into elements suitable for cell metabolism.

2. Pertaining to digestion.

Endocrine (adj.) (endo- within) (-crine to secrete)

Gland that produces an internal or hormonal substance.

Homeostasis (-stasis standstill, control) (home/o- the same)

Maintaining the stability of a system or the body’s internal environment.

Integument (Latin a covering) (integument- covering of the body)

Integumentary (adj.) (-ary pertaining to)

1. Organ system that covers the body, the skin being the main organ within the system.

2. Pertaining to the covering of the body.

Lymph (Latin clear spring water) (lymph- lymph, lymphatic system)

Lymphatic (adj.) (-atic pertaining to)

1. Clear fluid collected from body tissues and transported by lymph vessels to the venous circulation.

2. Pertaining to lymph or the lymphatic system.

Nervous (adj.) (-ous pertaining to) (nerv- nerve)

Nervous System (system Greek an organized whole)

1. Pertaining to a nerve or the nervous system; or easily excited or agitated.

2. The whole, integrated nerve apparatus.

Respiration (-ation process) (respir- to breathe)

Respiratory (adj.) (-atory pertaining to)

1. Process of breathing; fundamental process of life used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.

2. Pertaining to respiration.

Skeleton (Greek skeleton or mummy) (skelet- skeleton)

Skeletal (adj.) (-al pertaining to)

1. The bony framework of the body.

2. Pertaining to the skeleton.

Urinary (adj.) (-ary pertaining to) (urin- urine)

Pertaining to urine.

Anatomy (-tomy process of separating) (ana- apart from)

Anatomical (adj.) (-ical pertaining to)

1. Study of the structures of the human body.

2. Pertaining to anatomy.

Anterior (opposite of posterior) (adj.) (-ior pertaining to) (anter- before, front part)

The front surface of the body; situated in front.

Caudal (opposite of cephalic, same as inferior) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (caud- tail)

Pertaining to or nearer to the tailbone.

Cephalic (opposite of caudal, same as superior) (adj.) (-ic pertaining to) (cephal- head)

Pertaining to or nearer to the head.

Coronal (same as frontal) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (coron- crown)

Pertaining to the vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Distal (opposite of proximal) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (dist- away from the center)

Situated away from the center of the body.

Dorsal (same as posterior) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (dors- back)

Pertaining to the back or situated behind.

Frontal (same as coronal) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (front- front)

In front; relating to the anterior part of the body.

Inferior (opposite of superior) (adj.) (-ior pertaining to) (infer- below)

Situated below.

Lateral (opposite of medial) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (later- side)

Situated at the side of a structure.

Medial (opposite of lateral) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (medi- middle)

Nearer to the middle of the body.

Posterior (opposite of anterior) (adj.) (-ior pertaining to) (poster- back part)

Pertaining to the back surface of the body; situated behind.

Prone (opposite of supine) (adj.) (Latin bending forward)

Lying face down, flat on your belly.

Proximal (opposite of distal) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (proxim- nearest to the center)

Situated nearest to the center of the body.

Sagittal (-al pertaining to) (sagitt- arrow)

Vertical plane through the body dividing it into right and left portions.

Superior (opposite of inferior) (adj.) (-ior pertaining to) (super- above)

Situated above.

Supine (opposite of prone) (adj.) (Latin lying on the back)

Lying face up, flat on your spine.

Transverse (Latin crosswise)

Horizontal plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions.

Ventral (same as anterior) (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (ventr- belly)

Pertaining to the belly or situated nearer the surface of the belly.

Abdomen (Latin abdomen)

Abdominal (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (abdomin- abdomen)

Abdominopelvic (adj.) (-ic pertaining to) (abdomin/o- abdomen) (-pelv- pelvis)

1. Part of the trunk between the thorax and the pelvis.

2. Pertaining to the abdomen.

3. Pertaining to the abdomen and the pelvis.

Cavity (-ity state, condition) (cav- hollow space)

Cavities (pl.)

A hollow space or body compartment.

Cranial (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (crani- skull)

Cranium (-um structure)

1. Pertaining to the cranium.

2. The skull.

Diaphragm (Greek diaphragm, fence)

Diaphragmatic (adj.) (-ic pertaining to) (diaphragmat- diaphragm)

1. Muscular sheet separating the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

2. Pertaining to the diaphragm.

Quadrant (Latin one quarter)

One quarter of a circle; one of four regions of the surface of the abdomen.

Spine (Latin spine)

Spinal (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (spin- spine)

1. The vertebral column or a short bony projection.

2. Pertaining to the spine.

Thoracic (adj.) (-ic pertaining to) (thorac- chest)

Thorax (Greek chest)

1. Pertaining to the chest (thorax).

2. The part of the trunk between the abdomen and the neck.

Umbilical (adj.) (-al pertaining to) (umbilic- navel (belly button))

Umbilicus (Latin navel (belly button))

1. Pertaining to the umbilicus or the center of the abdomen.

2. Pit in the abdomen where the umbilical cord entered the fetus.