Anatomy & Physiology Lecture Review

49 vocabulary flashcards covering digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, integumentary, cellular, and microbiome concepts presented in the lecture notes.

Large Intestine

Primary site where water is absorbed during digestion.

Liver

Main organ for glycogen storage.

Peristalsis

Wave-like muscular contractions that propel material through the intestine.

Duodenum

First section of the small intestine into which the stomach empties.

Diaphragm

Muscular structure that initiates respiration by contracting and creating negative thoracic pressure.

Soma

The cell body of a neuron.

Neurilemma

Outer sheath absent in central-nervous-system axons, preventing their regeneration.

Cerebellum

Brain region that is NOT part of the brainstem; controls coordination and balance.

Blood-Brain Barrier Permeable Substances

Alcohol, water, and nicotine are able to cross this protective barrier.

Cataracts

Lens opacities whose risk can be reduced by wearing sunglasses (UV protection).

Myopia

Condition of being near-sighted; image focuses in front of the retina.

Atria (Heart)

The heart has two upper chambers called atria.

Pulmonary Arteries

Vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Heart Valves

The heart contains four major valves regulating blood flow.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle tissue of the heart.

Larynx

Structure of the upper—NOT lower—respiratory tract; houses the vocal cords.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Tissues

Specialized groups of similar cells performing common functions.

Electrolytes

Compounds that dissociate into ions when dissolved in water.

ATP Hydrolysis

Cells obtain energy when phosphate bonds of ATP break, releasing energy.

Red Blood Cells in Hypertonic Solution

They lose water and shrink (crenate).

Microbiome Imbalance Effects

Linked to asthma, heart disease, and obesity.

Archaea

Microbes that thrive in extreme hot or cold environments.

Melanin

Skin pigment that protects cell nuclei from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Cutaneous Vasoconstriction

Skin conserves heat by constricting blood vessels.

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical plane dividing the body into right and left portions.

Epithelial Tissue

Tissue type that covers and lines body surfaces and cavities.

Negative Feedback

Most common mechanism of homeostatic regulation.

Iodine

Trace element—not one of the body’s major elements (C, H, O, N, etc.).

Atomic Number

Equal to the number of protons in an element’s nucleus.

Mitochondria

Organelles that convert organic compounds into ATP (cellular energy).

Sodium–Potassium Pump

Active transport protein moving Na⁺ out of and K⁺ into the cell.

RNA Forms

Exists as mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA.

Human Microbiome Project Finding

Healthy adults harbor more bacterial than human cells.

Birthing Process

Most significant initial step in establishing the infant microbiome.

Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics

Most common disruptor of a person’s microbiome.

Stratified Epithelium

Stacked epithelial cells where upper layers do not touch the basement membrane.

Regeneration (Tissue Healing)

Replacement of damaged tissue with new functional tissue.

Mucous Membrane

Lines body passages that open to the exterior (e.g., respiratory, digestive tracts).

Epidermis

Outermost layer of the skin.

Vitamin D Synthesis

Skin initiates production of vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

Osteon

Basic structural/functional unit of compact bone.

Physical Stress on Bone

Stimulates osteoblasts to build new bone tissue.

Fetal Skeleton Composition

Initially formed of cartilage before ossification.

Maxillae

Bones forming the upper jaw and foundation of the face.

Ischial Tuberosity

Part of the pelvis that supports body weight when sitting.

False Ribs (8–12)

Do not attach directly to the anterior thoracic cage.

Tendon

Extension of the epimysium that connects muscle to bone.