BIOL 145 FA25 Final Exam Study Guide

A comprehensive set of 100 flashcards covering key concepts in biology related to the endocrine system, muscles, nervous system, and more for the BIOL 145 final exam.

Appositional Growth

The process by which bones increase in diameter.

Longitudinal Growth

The process by which bones grow in length.

Chemical Synapse

A type of synapse where neurotransmitters are released to transmit signals.

Electrical Synapse

A type of synapse that allows direct electrical communication between neurons.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The part of the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in cells.

Integumentary System

The organ system that includes skin, hair, nails, and associated glands.

Negative Feedback Loop

A mechanism that counteracts a change to maintain homeostasis.

Positive Feedback Loop

A mechanism that enhances or amplifies a change.

Fracture Repair Steps

The general process of healing a broken bone: inflammation, bone production, and remodeling.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The connection between the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in hormone regulation.

Bone Remodeling

The process involving the resorption of old bone and the formation of new bone.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins.

Skeletal System Functions

Support, movement, protection of vital organs, mineral storage, and blood cell production.

Microscopic Bone Structures

Components of bone visible under a microscope, including trabecular and cortical bone.

Action Potential Mechanism

A sudden change in membrane potential that occurs due to the movement of ions.

Muscle Tension Regulation

The modulation of force generated by skeletal muscles during contraction.

Chemical Communication

The process by which nerve cells communicate using neurotransmitters.

Ion Channels

Protein structures embedded in cell membranes that allow ions to enter or exit the cell.

Homeostatic Mechanisms

Processes that maintain stable conditions in the body despite changes.

Hormonal Feedback

A regulatory mechanism in which hormones influence their own production.

Long Bone Structure

The anatomy of a long bone, including diaphysis, epiphyses, and medullary cavity.

Contractile Proteins

Proteins responsible for muscle contraction, primarily actin and myosin.

Nervous System Divisions

Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).

Tonicity

The ability of a solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water.

Cellular Transport

The processes by which substances move in and out of cells.

Neuroglia

Supportive cells in the nervous system that assist neurons.

Skeletal vs. Smooth Muscle

Skeletal muscle is voluntary and striated; smooth muscle is involuntary and non-striated.

Reflex Actions

Automatic responses to stimuli that occur via reflex arcs.

Coordination of Body Systems

How different organ systems work together to maintain life.

Sensory Receptors

Specialized structures that detect sensory stimuli.

Epidermal Layers

The distinct layers of the epidermis: stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale.

Muscle Fiber Types

Different categories of muscle fibers defined by their contraction speed and metabolic characteristics.