Animal Anatomy & Physiology - ANIM SCI 101

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the 'Animal Anatomy & Physiology' lecture, including definitions of animals, life, anatomical and physiological terms, organ systems, cell components, directional terms, and species-specific classifications.

Animal

A living organism that feeds on organic matter to sustain physiological and cellular functions and has specialized cells, differing from plants by lacking cell wall cellulose, chloroplasts, and photosynthesis.

Life

Organism(s) that perform physiological functions through dynamic processes, using energy and raw materials from their surroundings to maintain integrity and equilibrium with the environment.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of organs, systems, and body parts, including macroscopic (general conformation) and microscopic (histology - cells) levels.

Physiology

The study of the normal functions of the body, explaining how the body works.

Homeostasis

The ability of an animal or physiological system to maintain relatively constant and consistent functions and parameters.

Metabolism

Physiological processes (chemical and physical) that occur at the cell and tissue levels to sustain life.

Catabolism

The set of processes by which chemical compounds are broken down to release energy (destructive).

Anabolism

The process in which cells and tissues synthesize larger or more complex compounds from smaller chemical substances (constructive).

Cell

The smallest individually functioning unit of the animal body.

Levels of Animal Organization

The hierarchical structure of an animal, starting from cells, then tissues, organs, and physiological systems.

Muscle Tissue

Tissue including striated muscles that move the skeleton and smooth muscle surrounding organs like the stomach.

Nerve Tissue

Tissue made up of nerve cells (neurons) used to carry messages to and from various parts of the body.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue that provides a covering layer, such as skin, linings of organs, mucous membranes, and serous membranes.

Connective Tissue

Tissue that supports other tissues and binds them together, including bone, blood, and lymph tissues.

Pluripotent Cell

A cell, like an embryonic stem cell, that can give rise to all of the cell types that make up the body.

Cell Differentiation

The process by which cells become highly specialized in function and shape.

Cell Membrane

A semipermeable lipid bilayer that separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment, provides protection, regulates transport, and offers structural support.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell, responsible for chemical reactions, reproduction, and storing DNA, containing a nuclear membrane, pores, nucleolus, chromatin, and nucleoplasm.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

A network of tubular and flat vesicular structures; rough ER (with ribosomes) synthesizes proteins, while smooth ER (without ribosomes) synthesizes lipids and performs other enzymatic processes.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle closely related to the ER that packages materials made in the cell, transforming them into units for distribution out of the cell, forming lysosomes or other secretory vesicles.

Mitochondria

Elongated, bacteria-resembling organelles known as the "powerhouses of the cell" due to their role in producing energy (ATP synthesis).

Lysosomes

Vesicular organelles containing digestive enzymes that form the intracellular digestive system, breaking down damaged cellular structures, food particles, and bacterial cells.

Cytoplasm

The fluid that fills the cell, containing cytosol, filaments, ions, proteins, macromolecular structures, and suspended organelles.

Cytosol Filaments

Structures located in the cytoplasm that provide cell structure and assist in cell division by forming the spindle pole and organizing microtubules.

Abdominal Pelvic Cavity

A body cavity that contains urinary, digestive, and reproductive organs, as well as the rectum and urogenital system.

Thoracic Cavity

A body cavity that contains the cardiovascular, respiratory, and the esophagus (digestive) systems.

Nervous System

The communication network that allows an animal to interpret, integrate, and respond to external and internal information, crucial for memory, problem-solving, and generating sensations and feelings.

Cardiovascular System

System responsible for transportation, including the heart, vena cava, and aorta, facilitating blood flow through the body and organs.

Respiratory System

Comprising lungs, trachea, larynx, and nasal cavity, functions include blood oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal, pH regulation, temperature control, and phonation.

Digestive System

System including organs like the tongue, esophagus, stomach compartments, intestines, and rectum; functions are food intake, mastication, transportation, nutrient reduction (digestion), nutrient absorption, and waste elimination, aided by accessory glands.

Urinary System

System including kidneys, ureter, urinary bladder, and urethra; functions to remove waste from blood, regulate plasma composition, perform hormonal functions, absorb solutes, and maintain water and acid-base balance.

Female Reproductive System

Functions for hormonal regulation and propagation of the species, including organs like the vagina, cervix, uterine horn, and ovary.

Male Reproductive System

Functions for hormonal regulation and propagation of the species, including organs like the testicle, epididymis, ductus/vas deferens, sex glands, and penis.

Skeletal System

Consisting of bones like the sternum, ribs, and vertebrae; functions include support, protection, locomotion, mineral metabolism, and the production of immune cells and red blood cells.

Muscular and Articular Systems

Systems working together to provide support, protection, and locomotion for the animal.

Endocrine System

Composed of endocrine glands that produce hormones, which activate or inhibit physiological functions in various tissues and organs.

Intact Male Cattle

Bull

Mature Female Horse

Mare

Newborn Pig

Piglet

Group of Sheep

Flock

Species-Specific Physiological Parameters

Vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, urine volume, body temperature, and ruminal movements that vary significantly between different animal species.

Dorsal

Towards the back or upper surface of the animal.

Ventral

Towards the undersurface of the animal.

Cranial / Anterior

Direction towards the head.

Caudal / Posterior

Direction towards the tail.

Medial

Towards the middle or center of the body.

Lateral

Away from the middle or center of the body.

Proximal

Close to the core or the point of attachment of a limb.

Distal

Away from the core or the point of attachment of a limb.

Rostral

Direction specifically towards the nose (used for head regions).

Palmar

The caudal (back) surface of the thoracic (front) limb, distal to the carpus.

Plantar

The caudal (back) surface of the pelvic (hind) limb, distal to the tarsus.

Horizontal Plane (Frontal Plane)

Divides the animal into dorsal (upper) and ventral (lower) parts.

Transverse Plane

Divides the animal into cranial/anterior (head end) and caudal/posterior (tail end) parts.

Median Plane (Sagittal Plane)

Divides the animal into equal left and right halves.