Introduction to Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, Organ Systems, and Homeostasis

Vocabulary practice cards for introductory concepts in biology, anatomy, physiology, human organ systems, and homeostatic regulation mechanisms.

Biology

The scientific study of life or living things.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to respond to a change in its immediate environment; also called irritability.

Adaptation

A longer-term physiological or structural change in response to environmental conditions.

Cellular differentiation

The process by which individual cells become specialized for particular functions.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body, consisting of anabolism and catabolism.

Anatomy

The study of internal and external structures and the physical relationships between body parts.

Gross anatomy

The study of anatomical structures visible with the unaided eye; also known as macroscopic anatomy.

Microscopic anatomy

The study of body structures that cannot be seen without magnification.

Surface anatomy

The study of superficial markings on the body.

Regional anatomy

The study of all superficial and internal features in a specific region of the body.

Systemic anatomy

The study of the structure of major organ systems.

Cytology

The microscopic study of the structure and function of individual cells.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Physiology

The study of how living organisms carry out their essential functions.

Pathology

The study of the effects of diseases on organ or system functions; also referred to as pathological physiology.

Integumentary System

An organ system that protects against environmental hazards, helps control body temperature, and provides sensory information.

Skeletal System

An organ system composed of bones, cartilages, ligaments, and bone marrow that provides support, protects tissues, stores minerals, and forms blood cells.

Muscular System

An organ system that provides movement, offers protection and support for other tissues, and produces heat.

Nervous System

An organ system that directs immediate responses to stimuli, coordinates activities of other organ systems, and provides and interprets sensory information.

Endocrine System

An organ system that directs long-term changes in the activities of other organ systems.

Cardiovascular System

An organ system composed of the heart, blood, and blood vessels that transports blood cells and dissolved materials such as nutrients, wastes, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Lymphatic System

An organ system that defends against infection and disease and returns tissue fluids to the bloodstream.

Respiratory System

An organ system that delivers air to sites in the lungs where gas exchange occurs between the air and bloodstream, and produces sound for communication.

Digestive System

An organ system that processes food and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary System

An organ system that eliminates waste products from the blood and controls water balance by regulating urine volume.

Male Reproductive System

An organ system that produces male sex cells (sperm) and hormones.

Female Reproductive System

An organ system that produces female sex cells (oocytes, or immature eggs) and hormones, and supports embryonic and fetal development from fertilization to birth.

Homeostasis

A state of internal balance or a stable internal environment within an organism.

Receptor

A component of homeostatic regulation that senses a particular change or stimulus in the environment.

Control center

An integration center in homeostatic regulation that receives and processes sensory information from a receptor and sends commands to effectors.

Effector

A cell or organ in homeostatic regulation that responds to commands from the control center to oppose or enhance a stimulus.

Negative Feedback

The most common form of homeostatic regulation involving a corrective mechanism that directly opposes variation away from normal physiological limits.

Elevated body temperature feedback loop

The thermoregulatory response triggered when body temperature rises above $37.2^\text{o}C$, causing the brain's control center to direct effectors to increase blood flow to skin and increase sweating.

Lowered body temperature feedback loop

The thermoregulatory response triggered when body temperature drops below $36.7^\text{o}C$, causing the brain's control center to direct effectors to decrease blood flow to skin, decrease sweating, and stimulate shivering.