Ch. 1 vocab

Anatomy

the scientific study of the structure and shape of the human body and its parts and their relationships to one another.

Physiology

the scientific study of how living things work.

Atoms

tiny building blocks of matter, Combined to form molecules such as water, sugar, and proteins.

Cells

the smallest units of all living things

Tissues

a group of similar cells that work together to do a specific job.

Organ

a group of different tissues joined together to perform a specific job.

Organ system

a group of individual organs that work together as a single unit to perform major body functions.

Organism

any individual living thing.

Integumentary system

an organ system consisting of the skin, hair, nails, and glands. It forms the outer covering of the body, acting as a vital physical barrier that protects internal tissues from germs, chemicals, and UV radiation, while also helping control body temperature.

Skeletal system

the body's internal framework. An adult human skeleton has 206 bones, along with cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It gives the body shape, lets you move, and protects soft internal organs

Muscular system

it consists of bones, ligaments, joints, and cartilage. supports the body and provides framework that helps the body create movement and it also has a protective function that helps protect the cavities of the skeleton.

Nervous system

the body’s main control and communication network. It uses tiny cells called neurons to send electrical and chemical messages back and forth between the brain, spinal cord, and all other parts of the body. It controls your thoughts, feelings, movements, senses, and automatic functions like breathing.

Endocrine System

a network of glands and organs that make and release hormones directly into the blood

Cardiovascular System

a vital network consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood

Lymphatic System

organs that include lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and other lymphatic vessels such as the spleen and tonsils. they return leaked fluid from the blood vessels so that your blood can circulate throughout your whole body.

Respiratory System

the network of organs and tissues—primarily the nose, trachea, and lungs—that allows you to breathe

Digestive System

breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells. indigestible foods are eliminated through feces.

Urinary System

your body’s filtration network. It removes extra water and waste from your blood, makes pee (urine), and pushes it out of your body.

Reproductive System

a group of organs, glands, and structures that work together to produce offspring.

Movement

the integration of multiple body systems that interact to generate and maintain human movement

responsiveness/irritability

the ability of an organism or its tissues to detect, change, and react to internal or external environmental changes (stimuli)y

Digestion

a group of connected organs that break down food into simple molecules that can be absorbed into the blood.

Metabolism

the total of all chemical reactions in the body that can break down complex substances into simpler building blocks that can also turn food into energy

Excretion

process of removing wastes from the body

Reproduction

the biological process by which living organisms make new individual organisms, called offspring, from their parents

Homeostasis

the body's automatic process to keep a stable, steady internal environment (like normal temperature or blood sugar) even when the outside world changes

Nutrients

chemical compounds found in food that living things need to live, grow, and stay healthy

Growth

Living things getting bigger or adding cells.

Water

it is 60-80% of our bodies and it provides the fluid base for our bodies excretion and secretions.

Receptor

a specialized cell, nerve ending, or protein molecule that receives signals or stimuli from outside or inside the body and triggers a response

Control center

the body part—usually the brain, spinal cord, or an endocrine gland like the pancreas—that receives data from sensors, compares that data to a normal set point, and tells effectors how to respond to keep the body balanced

Affector

response from stimulus that is sent to the brain

Effector

brains response to a stimulus

Negative feedback mechanisms

a self-regulating biological or mechanical process where a change in a system causes a response that fights or reverses that change

Positive feedback mechanisms

a process where a change in a system is magnified or increased

Homeostatic imbalance

a failure of the body to keep a stable, healthy internal environment

Anatomical position

the standard reference posture used by scientists and medical professionals to describe the human body