Anatomy & Physiology Intro Flashcards (Chapters 1–4)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic terminology, levels of organization, anatomical directions, organ systems, homeostasis, chemistry, and cellular organelles based on lecture notes for Chapters 1 through 4.

Anatomy

The study of body structures.

Physiology

The study of how body parts function.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal conditions in the body.

Levels of Organization (Smallest to Largest)

1. Atoms, 2. Chemicals/Molecules, 3. Cells, 4. Tissues, 5. Organs, 6. Organ Systems, 7. Organism.

Metabolism

The sum total of all chemical reactions occurring in the body.

Catabolism

A metabolic process that breaks down molecules; often referred to as being "cut apart."

Anabolism

A metabolic process that builds up molecules; often referred to as being "assembled."

Differentiation

The process by which cells become specialized for specific functions.

Integumentary System

The organ system composed of skin, hair, and nails that protects the body and forms a barrier.

Auscultation

A diagnostic technique that involves listening to body sounds, such as the heart, with a stethoscope.

Percussion

A diagnostic technique involving tapping the body and listening for resulting sounds.

Palpation

The diagnostic technique of feeling body structures with the hands.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference position where the body is standing upright, eyes forward, arms at sides, palms forward, and feet flat.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body.

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or top of the body.

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the bottom or the tailbone area.

Proximal

Used for limbs to describe a position closer to the attachment point.

Distal

Used for limbs to describe a position farther from the attachment point.

Sagittal Plane

An imaginary vertical plane that divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) portions.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) portions.

Mediastinum

The central space between the lungs containing the esophagus, trachea, and great vessels.

Parietal Layer

The layer of a serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Visceral Layer

The layer of a serous membrane that covers the surface of the organ.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic mechanism that reverses the original stimulus to return the body to a set point.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that enhances or amplifies the original stimulus until an external event stops it (e.g., childbirth or blood clotting).

Signs

Objective, measurable changes in the body, such as a fever or a rash.

Symptoms

Subjective experiences felt by a patient that cannot be measured, such as a headache or nausea.

Atomic Number

The number of protons found in an atom's nucleus.

Mass Number

The total number of protons plus neutrons in an atom.

Isotope

A variation of an element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Covalent Bonds

The strongest and most common chemical bonds in the body, formed by the sharing of electrons.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy.

Hydrophilic

Substances that are "water-loving" and dissolve easily in water.

pH

A measure of the concentration of $H^+$ ions in a solution.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds containing C, H, and O in a $1:2:1$ ratio; the main energy source for the body.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The "battery pack" or main energy currency for cellular activities, consisting of 3 phosphate groups and an adenosine base.

Plasma Membrane

A selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Osmosis

The movement of water down its concentration gradient through aquaporins.

Ribosomes

The "protein factories" of the cell; the site of protein synthesis.

Mitochondria

The "powerhouse of the cell" responsible for producing ATP through cellular respiration.

Lysosomes

The "garbage disposal" of the cell containing digestive enzymes for breaking down waste.

Golgi Complex

The "post office" of the cell that modifies, packages, and ships proteins.

Tight Junctions

Cell junctions that seal membranes together to prevent the movement of materials between cells.

Gap Junctions

Connexons that form fluid-filled tunnels between cells for rapid communication.

Squamous

An epithelial cell shape described as being flat or scale-like.

Pseudostratified Epithelium

Tissue that looks layered but is actually a single layer of cells where not all reach the apical surface.