Human Anatomy and Physiology Practice Review

Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic anatomy, chemistry of life, cellular biology, histology, and major body systems based on the lecture transcript.

Positive feedback loop

A type of feedback loop that temporarily amplifies a change occurring in the internal environment instead of opposing it.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of a living organism and the relationship of its parts.

Physiology

The study of the function of a living organism and its parts.

Midsagittal plane

The midline plane that divides the body into right and left halves.

Dorsal cavity

The continuous cavity that encloses the brain and spinal cord.

Homeostasis

The relatively constant state maintained by the body.

Anatomical position

The reference position of the body in an erect standing posture with arms at the sides and palms turned forward.

Thorax

The medical term used to describe the chest region of the body.

Theory or law

A hypothesis that has gained a high level of confidence.

Electrolytes

Molecules that form ions when dissolved in water.

Acid

A substance that releases hydrogen ions and typically has a $pH$ below $7$.

Lock and key model

An explanation referring to how each enzyme fits the specific molecule it works on.

Proteins

Large molecules composed of amino acids.

DNA and RNA

Nucleic acids that serve as the master code for assembling proteins.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between the outer shells of two atoms.

Glycogen

An example of a polysaccharide found in the body.

Buffer

A substance that maintains $pH$ balance and prevents sharp changes in the $pH$ of a solution when an acid or base is added.

Glucose

The most important monosaccharide, used by cells as their primary source of energy.

Element

A pure substance composed of only one of more than a hundred types of atoms.

Organic molecules

The carbon-containing molecules formed by living things.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has mass.

Diffusion

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

Genome

The collective term for all of the DNA in each cell of the body.

Pinocytosis

An active transport process where cells take in fluids.

Plasma membrane

The outer boundary of a human cell that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

Lysosome

An organelle containing enzymes capable of breaking down the main components of the cell.

Interphase

The phase considered the resting phase of a cell in regards to cell division.

Protein Synthesis

The process composed of two stages: transcription and translation.

Ribosomes

Organelles that float in the cytoplasm and attach to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Mitochondria

Organelles referred to as the power plant of the cell and the site of ATP production.

Golgi apparatus

The organelle involved in processing and packaging proteins for export out of the cell.

Phagocytosis

The cell process that involves engulfing microorganisms or other large particles.

Osmosis

The passive movement of water molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

Cardiac muscle

A type of muscle tissue that contains intercalated disks.

Neuron

The impulse conducting unit of the nerve tissue.

Adipose tissue

A type of connective tissue used for storage.

Connective tissue

The most abundant and widespread tissue in the body.

Chondrocytes

The scientific name for cartilage cells.

Periosteum

A strong fibrous membrane covering a long bone except at joint surfaces.

Diaphysis

The main shaft-like portion of a long bone.

Synarthrotic joints

Joints that are classified as immovable.

Femur

The longest bone in the human body.

Osteoporosis

An age-related skeletal disease characterized by excessive loss of calcified matrix and collagenous fibers from bone.

Endochondral ossification

The process by which most bones of the body are formed from cartilage models.

Osteoblasts

Cells responsible for bone formation.

Isometric contraction

A contraction in which muscle length remains the same but muscle tension increases.

Threshold stimulus

The minimal level of stimulation required to cause a muscle fiber to contract.

Sliding filament theory

The explanation of how a skeletal muscle contracts.

Sarcomere

The contractile unit of a muscle cell.

Flexion

Movement that makes the angle between two bones at their joint smaller.

Origin

The point of attachment that does not move when a muscle contracts.

Hypertrophy

An increase in muscle size, often caused by strength training.

Photoreceptor

A type of receptor found only in the eye.

Ossicles

The collective name for the tiny bones found in the middle ear.

Aqueous humor

The substance that fills the chamber of the anterior cavity of the eye.

Proprioceptors

Specialized receptors found near the junction between tendons and muscles.

Two-point discrimination

The ability to distinguish one touch stimulus from two.

Presbyopia

A condition where people become farsighted as they grow older.

Calcitonin

A hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that increases calcium storage in bone.

Gluconeogenesis

The process stimulated by glucocorticoids that converts amino acids to glucose.

Prostaglandins

Substances known as tissue hormones that play an important role in communication and control of body functions.

Hypothalamus

The part of the brain that regulates body temperature, appetite, and thirst.

Target cells

Specific cells that receive signals from hormones in the endocrine system.

Anemia

The inability of the blood to carry sufficient oxygen to the body.

Erythroblastosis fetalis

A disease resulting from a mother’s Rh antibodies reacting with an Rh-positive baby.

Hematocrit

A common laboratory test used to analyze the volume of RBCs in a blood sample.

Hemoglobin

The molecule on the red blood cell responsible for red pigment.

Leukopenia

A condition characterized by a decrease in the amount of white blood cells.

Embolus

The term for a part of a blood clot that dislodges and circulates through the bloodstream.

Capillaries

Microscopic vessels that carry blood from small arteries to small veins.

SA node

The structure in the heart where the normal cardiac impulse initiates mechanical contraction.

Myocardium

The cardiac muscle tissue that composes the wall of each heart chamber.

Systemic circulation

Blood flow from the heart through blood vessels to all parts of the body and back.

Sphygmomanometer

An apparatus used to measure blood pressure.

Inflammatory response

A set of innate responses that often occurs in the body.

Interferon

A protein that interferes with the ability of viruses to cause disease.

Spleen

The largest organ of the lymphatic system, serving functions in defense and red blood cell destruction.

Diuretic

A substance that promotes or stimulates the production of urine.

Edema

The presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the interstitial tissue spaces.

Bicarbonate loading

A technique involving the ingestion of sodium bicarbonate to counteract lactic acid buildup.

Zygote

A genetically complete fertilized ovum.

Histogenesis

The process by which primary germ layers develop into different kinds of tissues.

Gestation period

The medical term for the length of pregnancy.

Placenta

The structure that anchors the developing offspring to the uterus and provides a bridge for nutrient exchange.