Anatomy vocab

Cell

Basic unit of structure and function of all living things

Organelle

a specialized structure within a cell that preforms a specific job

Macromolecule

a large complex molecule, such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, that are essential for life.

Nucleotide

the building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base

Fatty Acid

A building block of lipids made of a long chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms

Monosaccharide

A simple sugar that is the basic unit of carbohydrates

Amino Acid

Building block of proteins

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living organisms

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed

Active site

The region of an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs

Differentiation

The process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to preform specific functions

Homeostasis

Stability of the internal enviroment and the mechanisms that maintain the stability

Receptor

Sensory organ that receives the stimulus

Stimulus

an action that enokes a response

Effector

an organ that does the response

Response

the effect caused by the stimulus

Feedback inhibition

Output of a process is used as an input to control the behavior of the overall process itself, usually leading to the inhibition of the process

Passive transport

Requiring no extra energy as molecules move down the concentration gradient

Active transport

Requiring extra energy to move molecules against the gradient

Hypertonic Solution

Water concentration is lower than the cell’s cytoplasm - cell shrivles

Hypotonic Solution

water concentration is higher than the cell’s cytoplasm - cell swells

Isotonic Solution

identical water concentration to cell’s cytoplasm - cell stays the same

Ligand

Molecules that bind to other molecules (receptor proteins) for signaling purposes

Signal transduction pathway

A sequence of events initiated by a signal that leads to a cellular response

Inhibitor

Can block the normal ligand to prevent communication

Transduction

The passing along of the signal until a desired response is reached

Phosphorylation

Addition of phosphate groups by kinases

Dephosphorylation

removal of phosphate groups by phosphatases

Second Messenger

a small molecule that serves as an intermediate between the receptor and the cascade of response after

Anatomy

The study of bodily structures

Histology

The study of tissues

Cytology

The study of cells

Physiology

THe study of bodily functions

Anatomical Positions

The standard position used as a reference point for directional terms. Palms forward

Axial

Head, neck, and trunk

Appendicular

Appendages (limbs)

Superior (cranial)

Toward the upper part; above

Inferior (caudal)

Away from the upper part; toward the lower part

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body; in front of

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward ot at the back of the body; behind

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of

Intermediate

In between

Proximal

Closer to the point where a limb attaches to the body trunk

Distal

Farther from the point where the limb attaches to the trunk

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface

Body Planes

Flat surfaces used to divide the body into different sections

Sagittal

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sections

Midsagittal

A sagittal plane that crosses through the midline of the body

Parasagittal

A sagittal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

Frontal (coronal)

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

Transverse (cross section)

Horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior sections (above and below)

Cutaneous Membrane

Skin, the covering of the body’s surface

Muscous Membrane

Mucosae; lines all body cavities that open to the outside of the body

Serous Membrane

Serosa; lines ventral body cavities that are closed as well as covers many organs

Parietal Membrane

Type of serous membrane that lines the body cavity

Visceral Membrane

Type of serous membrane that covers internal organs

Meninges

The membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord in the dorsal body cavity

Tissues

Groups of cells that are similar in structure and work together for a common function

Organ

A distinct structure made up of at least 2 different tissues

Glands (exocrine and endocrine)

One or more cells that create and secrete different products

• Exocrine = externally secreting (Ex. Sweat as a product)

• Endocrine = internally secreting (Ex. Hormones as products)

Neuron

Highly specialized nerve cells that make up nervous tissue and generate and conduct nerve impulses