Anatomy and Physiology I - Unit 1: Introduction, Chemistry, and Cells

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering introductory concepts of human anatomy, physiology, chemical organization, cellular biology, cell transport, protein synthesis, mitosis, and cell division.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body and the relationships of its parts.

Physiology

The study of the function of body parts and how they work.

Atom

The smallest unit of matter that participates in chemical reactions.

Molecule

Two or more atoms joined together, such as DNA, RNA, glucose, or water.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of a living organism.

Tissue

A group of cells working together to perform a particular function.

Organ

A structure composed of two or more different types of tissues working together to perform a specific function, having a recognizable shape.

System

A group of related organs that perform a common function.

Organism

All the parts and systems of the body functioning together as a whole.

Catabolism

The phase of metabolism involved in breaking down complex chemical substances into simpler components.

Anabolism

The phase of metabolism involved in building up complex chemical substances from smaller, simpler components.

Stem Cells

Precursor cells that give rise to cells that differentiate into specialized functional cell types.

Homeostasis

A condition in which the body's internal environment remains within dynamic operational limits.

Receptor

A body structure that monitors changes in a controlled condition and sends input to a control center.

Control Center

A homeostatic component that sets the range of values within which a controlled condition should be maintained.

Effector

A body structure that receives output from the control center and produces a response or effect that alters the controlled condition.

Negative Feedback System

A feedback mechanism that reverses a change in a controlled condition.

Positive Feedback System

A feedback mechanism that strengthens or reinforces a change in one of the body's controlled conditions.

Disorder

Any abnormality of structure or function.

Disease

An illness characterized by a recognizable set of signs and symptoms.

Symptoms

Subjective changes in body functions that cannot be directly observed or measured by an observer.

Signs

Objective changes in body functions that can be directly observed or measured.

Superior (Cranial)

Anatomical term meaning toward the head or upper part of a structure.

Inferior (Caudal)

Anatomical term meaning away from the head or lower part of a structure.

Anterior (Ventral)

Anatomical term meaning near to or at the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Anatomical term meaning near to or at the back of the body.

Medial

Anatomical term meaning nearer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Anatomical term meaning farther from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Anatomical term meaning nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk or origin of a structure.

Distal

Anatomical term meaning farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk or origin of a structure.

Ion (Electrolyte)

A charged atom that has lost or gained electrons.

Free Radical

An atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron in its outermost shell, making it highly unstable and reactive.

Antioxidant

A substance that inactivates oxygen-derived free radicals to prevent cellular damage.

Inorganic Compound

A simple compound that usually lacks carbon, cannot be used by cells for complex biological functions, and constitutes $56\text{--}62\%$ of human body mass.

Organic Compound

A carbon-containing compound, usually containing hydrogen, that makes up $38\text{--}43\%$ of human body mass.

Hydrophilic

Describes a solute that dissolves easily in water (water-loving).

Hydrophobic

Describes a solute that does not easily mix or dissolve in water (water-fearing).

pH

A logarithmic measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a solution.

Buffer

A chemical that resists changes in $\text{pH}$ by converting strong acids or bases into weak acids or bases.

Enzyme

A protein catalyst that speeds up biochemical reactions without being consumed.

Denaturation

A process in which a protein unravels and loses its characteristic shape and biological function due to an altered environment.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The principal chemical energy currency stored and utilized by cells to perform biological work.

Cytology

The scientific study of cellular structure and function.

Selective Permeability

A property of cell membranes that permits certain substances to pass through while restricting others.

Diffusion

The passive net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

Osmosis

The passive net movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Tonicity

A solution's ability to change the volume of cells by altering their water content.

Isotonic Solution

A solution in which water enters and leaves the cell at equal rates, maintaining cell shape and volume.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell cytosol, causing water to leave the cell and resulting in crenation.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the cell cytosol, causing water to enter the cell and leading to swelling and potential bursting.

Transcription

The process occurring in the nucleus in which genetic information encoded in DNA is copied onto a complementary strand of RNA.

Translation

The process occurring on ribosomes in which the nucleotide sequence of mRNA is decoded into a specific sequence of amino acids to form a protein.

Interphase

The non-dividing phase of the cell cycle during which a cell carries on normal metabolic activities and replicates its organelles and DNA.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division in somatic cells, consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

Cytokinesis

The division of a cell's cytoplasm and organelles into two distinct, identical daughter cells.

Metastasis

The spread of cancerous cells from a primary location to other regions of the body via blood or lymphatic vessels.

Cell Membrane Diagram

Diagram showing the phospholipid bilayer, hydrophilic heads, hydrophobic tails, cholesterol, carbohydrate chains, and embedded membrane proteins.

Animal Cell Anatomy Diagram

Diagram illustrating internal structures of an animal cell, including the nucleus, nucleolus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, lysosomes, and centrosome.

Stages of Mitosis Diagram

Diagram showing the sequence of somatic cell division: Interphase, Prophase, Late Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, and Cytokinesis.