Biology 101 - Chapter 1: The Human Organism

Vocabulary flashcards covering foundational concepts of human anatomy and physiology, structural organization, characteristics of life, homeostasis, body plan terminology, serous membranes, and medical imaging techniques based on Chapter 1 lecture notes.

Anatomy

The scientific discipline that investigates the body's structure.

Physiology

The scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things.

Gross Anatomy

The study of structures examined without a microscope.

Regional Anatomy

A subfield of gross anatomy where the body is studied area by area.

Systemic Anatomy

A subfield of gross anatomy where the body is studied system by system.

Surface Anatomy

The study of external form and its relation to deeper structures.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of structures seen with the microscope.

Cell Physiology

The study of processes occurring within cells.

Neurophysiology

The study of the functions of the nervous system.

Cardiovascular Physiology

The study of the functions of the heart and blood vessels.

Pathology

The study of structural and functional changes caused by disease.

Exercise Physiology

The study of structural and functional changes caused by exercise.

Chemical Level

The structural level of organization involving the interaction of atoms and molecules.

Cell Level

The structural level of organization representing the functional unit of life.

Tissue Level

The structural level of organization composed of a group of similar cells and surrounding materials.

Organ Level

The structural level of organization composed of one or more tissues functioning together.

Organ System Level

The structural level of organization consisting of a group of organs functioning together.

Organism Level

The highest level of structural organization representing any living thing.

Organization (Characteristic of Life)

The condition in which there are specific relationships and functions among the parts of an organism.

Metabolism

All of the chemical reactions taking place within the body.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense changes and adjust.

Growth

An increase in size and/or number of cells.

Development

The changes an organism undergoes over time.

Differentiation

The change in cell structure from general to specific.

Morphogenesis

The change in shape of tissues and organs.

Reproduction

The formation of new cells or new organisms.

Homeostasis

The existence and maintenance of a relatively constant environment within the body.

Set Point

The ideal normal value of a variable in homeostasis.

Receptor

A component of a feedback system that monitors the value of some variable.

Control Center

A component of a feedback system that establishes the set point.

Effector

A component of a feedback system that can change the value of a variable.

Negative-Feedback Mechanism

A homeostatic mechanism where any deviation from the set point is made smaller or resisted.

Positive-Feedback Mechanism

A feedback mechanism where a deviation from the set point triggers a response that makes the deviation greater.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A condition defined by low blood pressure upon standing, which can cause dizziness or fainting.

Anatomical Position

The reference position where the body is erect, face forward, feet together, and palms face forward.

Supine

Lying face up.

Prone

Lying face down.

Superior (Cephalic)

Directional term meaning toward the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Directional term meaning away from the head.

Medial

Directional term meaning relative to or toward the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning relative to or away from the midline.

Proximal

Directional term used for linear structures meaning closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

Directional term used for linear structures meaning farther from the point of attachment.

Superficial

Directional term meaning relative to or toward the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning relative to or away from the surface of the body.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning forward or toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Median Plane

Body plane passing vertically through the midline of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Body plane parallel to the median plane, to the left or right of the midline.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Body plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse (Cross) Plane

Body plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

Oblique Plane

Body plane cut at any angle other than a right angle.

Longitudinal Cut

A section cut along the length of an organ.

Cross (Transverse) Cut

A section cut at a right angle to the length of an organ.

Visceral Serous Membrane

The inner wall of a serous membrane covering an internal organ.

Parietal Serous Membrane

The outer wall of a serous membrane lining a body cavity.

Pericardium

The serous membrane surrounding the heart.

Pleura

The serous membrane surrounding the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity.

Peritoneum

The serous membrane surrounding organs in the abdominopelvic cavity.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the serous membrane around the heart.

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the serous membrane around the lungs.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the serous membrane in the abdomen.

Radiography

An imaging technique that creates a shadowy negative of internal body structures using X-rays.

Computed Tomography (CT)

An imaging technique using a computer-analyzed composite of radiographs that shows slices of the body.

Dynamic Spatial Reconstruction (DSR)

A 3-D version of CT scanning using multiple slices.

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)

An imaging technique comparing radiographs with and without dye, used primarily in blood vessel studies.

Ultrasound (US)

An imaging technique using computer-analyzed sound waves bounced off structures in the body.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An imaging technique using magnetism and radio waves to analyze varying alignment of protons in soft tissues.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

An imaging technique using radioactively-labeled glucose to calculate the metabolic activity of cells.