VM 250 Wk 2 - Cell Structure and Function

Epinephrine

Hormone or neurotransmitter that raises heart rate, blood pressure, or fight/flight responses

Effector

An organ or tissue that carries out an action and produces an effect, could be from nervous or endocrine system

Elastin

Elastic and stretchy protein fibers in connective tissues (skin, lungs, blood vessel walls)

Fibroblast

The builder of proteins (elastin, collagen) that make up the matrix in our connective tissue

Homeostasis

The process of maintaining a stable internal environment, despite a changing external environment

Hydrophilic Hormone

Water loving, NON-STEROID HORMONE in the endocrine system. It is water-soluble and can easily move through our blood. Must attach to a receptor outside of the membrane since it cannot pass through it, then 1st and 2nd messengers respond in the cytoplasm to amplify the response

Hydrophobic Hormone

Water hating, STEROID HORMONE in endocrine system. Requires a carrier protein. Lipid soluble and can pass through membranes to get to the receptor in target cells nucleus (specifically the DNA). Slow in response and no amplification.

Hormone

Chemical messengers secreted by the endocrine gland and transported through the blood

Keratinization

The process that involves addition of keratin to skin cells (keratinocytes) to make them more durable and water resistant

Lacunae

Small cavities in cartilage connective tissue containing chondrocytes

Lateral

The side of an epithelial cell that touches the cells next to it; where you can find intercellular junctions

Norepinephrine

Hormone or neurotransmitter that increases heart rate and blood pumping from the heart

Osteoblast

Bone cell that builds new bone matrix, responsible for storing calcium in extracellular matrix

Osteoclast

Bone cell that breaks up the matrix of the bone, to release calcium when blood supply is low

Osteocyte

Mature bone cells

Osteon

Basic functional unit of mature compact bone, cylindrical unit of bone that has a central canal (blood supply), lamellae and osteocytes

Parasympathetic

Part of autonomic nervous system; rest and digest reaction; slows things down; decreased arousal

Somatic Nervous System

Part of the peripheral nervous system; contains sensory and motor nerves; controls movement

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of autonomic nervous system that stimulates the body to prepare for action; fight or flight response

Target Cell

A cell that has the proper receptor for a hormone to bind to

Apical

Closest layer to surface; top epithelial layer

Autonomic Nervous System

Involuntary movements (automatic) within the peripheral nervous system; includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

Basal

The bottom of an epithelial cell; it rests on the basement membrane and has a blood supply underneath

Basement Membrane

The thin, delicate membrane that separates the epithelium from underlying tissue, provides attachment site, support and diffusion of nutrients from bloodstream

Chondrocyte

The living cartilage cells in cartilage connective tissue; responsible for making the extracellular matrix that surrounds them

Collagen

A protein fiber that allows our skin to be flexible, allows stretching