Med Term Vocabulary - Chapter 2

cell

the smallest unit of the body and capable of independent existence

conception

fertilization of the egg by sperm to form a zygote

cytology

study of the cell

cytologist

specialist in the structure, chemistry, and pathology of the cell

fertilization

union of a male sperm and a female egg

fertilize

penetration of the egg by sperm

fertilize in vitro

the process of combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory dish and placing resulting embryos inside a uterus

organ

structure with specific functions in a bod system

organelle

part of a cell having specialized functions

organism

any whole living, individual plant or animal

tissue

collection of similar cells

zygote

cell resulting from the union of sperm and egg

anabolism

the buildup of complex substances in the cell from simpler ones as a part of metabolism

catabolism

the breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones as a part of metabolism

chromosome

body in the nucleus that contains DNA and genes

cytoplasm

clear, gelatinous substance

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

source of hereditary characteristics found in chromosomes

electrolyte

substance that, when dissolved in a suitable medium, forms electrically charged particles

hormone

chemical formed in one tissue or organ and carried by the blood to stimulate or inhibit a function of another tissue/organ

hormonal

pertaining to a hormone

intracellular

within a cell

lipid

general term for fatty compounds

membrane

thin layer of tissue covering a structure or cavity

membranous

pertaining to a membrane

metabolism

constantly changing physical and chemical processes occurring in the cell that are the sum of anabolism and catabolism

metabolic

pertaining to metabolism

mitochondria

organelles that generate, store, and release energy for cell activities

nucleolus

small mass within the nucleus

nucleus

function center of a cell or structure

nuclear

pertaining to a nucleus

protein

class of food substances based on amino acids

ribonucleic acid (RNA)

information carries from DNA in nucleus to an organelle to produce protein molecules

steroid

large family of chemical substances found in many drugs, hormones, and body components

chromatin

DNA that forms chromosomes during cell division

chromosome

the body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes

chromosomal

pertaining to a chromosome

epigenetics

study of disorders produced by the effects of chemical compounds or environmental influences on genes

gene

function unit of hereditary on a chromosome

genetic

pertaining to genetics

genome

complete set of chromosomes

helix

a spiral of nucleotides in the structure of DNA

hereditary

transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring

hereditary

transmissible from parent to offspring

histone

simple protein found in the cell nucleus

karyotype

chromosome characteristics of an individual cell

mitosis

cell division to create two identical cells, each with 46 chromosomes

mutation

permanent alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome

nucleotide

combination of DNA base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate molecule

phenotype

manifestation of a genome

replicate

to produce an exact copy

arthroscopy

visual examination of the interior of a joint

connective tissue

the supporting tissue of the body

cruciate

shaped like a cross

graft

transplantation of living tissue

histology

study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs

histologist

specialist in histology

ligament

band of fibrous tissue connecting two structures

meniscus

disc of cartilage between the bones of a joint

muscle

tissue consisting of contractile cells

patella

thin, circular bone embedded in the patellar tendon in front of the knee joint; kneecap

patellar

pertaining to the patella

therapy

systemic treatment of a disease, dysfunction, or disorder

therapeutic

relating to the treatment of a disease or disorder

therapist

professional trained in the practice of a particular therapy

capsule

fibrous tissue layer surrounding a joint or other structure

capsular

perataining to a capsule

cartilage

nonvascular, firm connective tissue found mostly in joints

collagen

major protein of connective tissue, cartilage, and bone

matrix

substance that surround and protects cells, is manufactured by the cells, and holds them together

nutrient

substance in food required for normal physiologic function

periosteum

fibrous membrane covering a bone

synovial

pertaining to the synovial membrane or fluid

tendon

fibrous band that connects muscle to bone

cardiovascular

pertaining to the heart and blood vessels

digestion

breakdown of food into elements suitable for cell metabolism

digestive

pertaining to digestion

digestive

pertaining to digestion

endocrine

gland that produces an internal or hormonal substance

homeostasis

maintaining the stability of a system or the body’s internal environment

integument

organ system that covers the body, skin is the main organ

integumentary

pertaining to the covering of the body

lymph

clear fluid collected from body tissues and transported by lymph vessels to the venous circulation

lymphatic

pertaining to lymph or the lymphatic system

nervous

pertaining to a nerve or the nervous system

nervous system

the whole, integrated nerve apparatus

respiration

process of breathing; exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

respiratory

pertaining to respiration

skeleton

bony framework of the body

skeletal

pertaining to the skeleton

urinary

pertaining to urine

anatomy

study of the structure of the human body

anatomical

pertaining to anatomy

anterior

front surface; situated in front

caudal

pertaining to or nearer to the tailbone

cephalic

pertaining to or nearer to the head

coronal

pertaining to the vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions

distal

situated away from the center of the body

dorsal

pertaining to the back or situated behind

inferior

situated below

lateral

situated at the side of a structure