Anatomy, Physiology, Cellular Structures, and Tissues

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental anatomy, physiology, cellular structures, solution tonicities, tissues, and gland classifications.

Anatomy

A science that deals with the study of parts of the body, including the bodily structure of living organisms as revealed by dissection.

Physiology

The branch of science that deals with the functions of each part of the body.

Cell

The basic functional unit of an organism.

Tissue

A group of cells that have similar structures and function together as a unit.

Organ

A group of tissues acting together to perform a common function.

Organ system

A group of organs that work together to perform a certain function in an organism's body.

Surface anatomy

The branch of anatomy concerned with the external parts of the body.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of minute structures of the body that can be seen only through a microscope.

Gross anatomy

The study of visible parts of the body, both external and internal.

Developmental anatomy

The study of structural changes of an individual from fertilization to maturity.

Embryology

A branch of anatomy focusing specifically on the formation and development of the embryo before birth.

Fetology

The study of the development and growth of a fetus during pregnancy.

Post natal

The period lasting six to eight weeks after delivery.

Anatomical anomalies

Structures in the body that are unusual or different from normal.

Chemical level

The structural level involving the production of chemicals, enzymes, or body secretions that protect or strengthen the body.

Organization

A characteristic of life where each body part interacts to perform a specific function.

Metabolism

All the chemical and physical changes that take place in the body, including food breakdown and energy utilization.

Growth

The increase in physical size of all parts of the body.

Development

The process of changes that a human goes through beginning with fertilization and ending with death.

Reproduction

The procreation, formation of new life, and multiplication of the human race.

Homeostasis

The stability, constancy, or state of balance of the internal physical and chemical conditions maintained by the body.

Cell membrane

The outermost layer of the cell that controls what moves in and out of the cell.

Intracellular substances

Substances or fluids contained inside the cell.

Extracellular substances

Substances or fluids contained outside the cell.

Intercellular substances

Substances or fluids situated in between cells.

Cytoplasm

Fluid inside the cell containing chemicals and enzymes that can take any shape.

Nucleus

The information headquarter of the cell that regulates cellular activities such as division and protein production.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that converts energy in food into usable substances for the cell.

Ribosomes

Protein substances scattered throughout the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

An organelle responsible for moving substances around the cell.

Golgi apparatus

An organelle that serves as storage for proteins and other substances within the cell or for export to other cells.

Diffusion

The movement of fluid or particles from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.

Osmosis

The movement of solvent across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower concentration to higher concentration.

Osmotic pressure

The force required to prevent the movement of fluid by osmosis through a membrane.

Lysis

The swelling, rupture, and death of a cell caused by fluid influx in a hypotonic solution.

Crenation

The shrinkage of a cell when immersed in a hypertonic solution.

Isotonic solution

A solution having the same concentration of solutes and solvent as the cell, resulting in no cell volume change.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with higher solute concentration and lower solvent concentration compared to the cell interior.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with lower solute concentration and higher solvent concentration compared to the cell interior.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Gland

A secretory structure of the body.

Membranes

Thin sheets of tissue or cell layers acting as boundaries, linings, or partitions in an organism.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers outer surfaces of organs and blood vessels and lines internal organ cavities.

Connective tissue

Tissue that links different parts, holds the body together, and maintains structural integrity.

Adipose tissue

A loose connective tissue that stores fat, provides cushioning, and insulates the body.

Cartilage

Specialized connective tissue that provides structural support, flexibility, and joint cushioning.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells situated within mineralized extracellular matrix.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary muscle attached to the skeleton that accounts for approximately $40\%$ of body weight.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary muscle located in the heart wall responsible for pumping blood.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle located in the walls of hollow organs that regulates internal movement such as peristalsis.

Contractility

The property of muscle tissue to shorten forcefully to generate movement or force.

Excitability

The capacity of muscle tissue to respond to nerve impulses or hormonal stimuli.

Extensibility

The ability of muscle tissue to stretch without incurring damage.

Elasticity

The ability of muscle tissue to return to its original length after being stretched.

Nervous tissue

Specialized tissue enabling bodily communication and coordination through electrical signal transmission.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The system comprising the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing information and coordinating responses.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves that connect the central nervous system to the rest of the body to facilitate internal communication.

Exocrine glands

Specialized glands that secrete substances through ducts onto body surfaces or into body cavities.

Endocrine glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Thymus gland

An endocrine gland located in the upper chest essential for the maturation of T-cells and adaptive immunity.