Anatomy & Physiology: Key Terminology Review (Ch. 3-4)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts from levels of organization, body planes, cavities, tissues, organelles, transport, and gland types.

Chemical Level

Structural Only

Cell Level

The basic structural and functional unit of the body.

Tissue Level

A group of similar cells and their intercellular material working together.

Organ Level

Different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

System Level

Different organs working together to accomplish a common purpose.

Organismal level

11 body systems functioning together as a whole organism.

Metabolism

Sum of all chemical reactions in the body that sustain life.

Responsiveness

Ability to detect and respond to internal or external changes.

Movement

Motion of the body or its parts and substances within the body.

Growth

Increase in size or number of cells.

Differentiation

A cell that goes from unspecialized to a specialized state.

Reproduction

Producing new cells or new individuals.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Superior

Closer to or toward top of head

Anterior

Closer to or toward front of body

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Homeostasis

A state of balance or equilibrium in the internal environment.

Midsagittal plane

Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

Parasagittal plane

Divides the body into unequal left and right halves.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Quadrants

Four sections of the abdominal-pelvic cavity used by healthcare providers.

Regions

Nine regions of the abdominal/pelvic area used for localization.

Anatomical position

Standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

Cranial cavity

Cavity that houses the brain.

Vertebral (spinal) cavity

Cavity that houses the spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Cavity above the diaphragm containing the lungs and heart; subdivided into pleural and pericardial cavities and mediastinum.

Pleural cavities

Two cavities that house the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity around the heart.

Mediastinum

Space between the lungs containing the heart, trachea, and other structures.

Abdominal cavity

Cavity containing the stomach, intestines, and related organs.

Pelvic cavity

Cavity containing pelvic organs.

Carbohydrates

Sugars and starches; glucose is a common example.

Glucose

The most common carbohydrate used for energy.

Proteins

Large, complex organic molecules built from amino acids.

Lipids

A broad class of organic compounds including fats and oils.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; energy-storing and energy-releasing molecule.

pH

A measure of how acidic or basic a solution is; 7 is neutral.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell; site of ATP production.

Nucleus

Control center of the cell; contains genetic material and regulates activity.

Ribosomes

Protein factories; sites of protein synthesis.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

ER studded with ribosomes; sites protein synthesis and packaging.

Golgi apparatus

Packages, processes, and ships proteins from the ER.

Lysosomes

Organelle containing digestive enzymes for breaking down waste.

Peroxisomes

Contain catalase; breakdown fatty acids and detoxify harmful substances.

Proteasomes

Remove old or damaged proteins from the cell.

Centrosomes

Organize the spindle apparatus during cell division.

Centrioles

Part of the centrosome; play a role in organizing spindle fibers.

Cilia

Short, hair-like structures that move substances across cell surfaces.

Flagellum

A long, whip-like structure that enables cell movement (e.g., sperm).

Cytoskeleton

The cell’s structural framework, providing support and enabling movement.

Exocrine gland

Glands that release secretions into ducts or onto body surfaces.

Endocrine gland

Glands that release hormones directly into the bloodstream.