Human Anatomy and Physiology Review

This set of flashcards provides key terms and definitions relevant to human anatomy and physiology for exam review.

Oxygenated Blood

Blood that has absorbed oxygen from the lungs, transported through the pulmonary vein to the left atrium.

Cytoskeleton

A cellular structure that maintains cell shape, anchors organelles, and assists with transport, made up of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland, that regulates water balance in the body.

Pituitary Gland

Often referred to as the master gland, it produces hormones that regulate diverse bodily functions including growth, metabolism, and sexual function.

Osteoporosis

A bone disease characterized by the loss of bone density, increasing the risk of fractures.

Glomerulus

A network of capillaries in the nephron where blood filtration takes place in the kidney.

Phenotype

The observable physical or physiological traits of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype and the environment.

DNA Base Pairing

Adenine pairs with Thymine; Cytosine pairs with Guanine, leading to complementary DNA strands.

Eccrine Glands

Skin glands that produce a clear, odorless sweat for thermoregulation.

Codominance

A genetic situation in which both alleles for a gene are fully expressed in the phenotype.

Resting Potential

The state of a neuron before it fires an action potential, typically around -70 mV.

Mitochondria

Cell organelles that generate ATP, the main energy currency of the cell, and regulate metabolism.

Endoderm

The innermost germ layer that forms internal linings and digestive organs.

Prokaryotic Cells

Simple, single-celled organisms characterized by the absence of a nucleus; they belong to the Bacteria and Archaea domains.

Active Immunity

Immunity produced by the body's own immune system in response to an antigen, providing long-term protection.

Acidosis

A condition in which the body has too much acid in its fluids, resulting in a decrease in pH.

Ionic Bonds

Chemical bonds formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in charged ions.

Bile

A digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats in the small intestine.

Stem Cell Differentiation

The process by which a stem cell transforms into a specialized cell capable of performing specific functions.

Punnett Square

A tool used in genetics to predict the possible genotype combinations of offspring from parental alleles.

Electrophoresis

A laboratory technique that separates DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and charge.