CH 2 Vocab

Cell

The smallest unit of the body capable of independent existence

Conception

Fertilization of the egg and sperm to form a zygote

Cytology

Study of the cell, and this forms the basis the knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of every tissue and organ

Cytologist

Specialist in the structure, chemistry, and pathology of the cell

Fertilization

Union of a male sperm and a female egg

Fertilize

Penetration of the egg and sperm

In vitro

(fertilization) The process of combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory dish and placing resulting embryos inside a uterus

Organ

Structure with specific functions in a body system

Organelle

Part of a cell having specialized functions

Organism

Any whole living, individual plant or animal

Tissue

Collection of similar cells

Zygote

The result of fertilization of an egg by a sperm is a single fertilized cell. The origin of every cell in your body. It divides and multiplies into trillions of cells, which become the basic unit of every tissue and organ. These cells are responsible for the structure and all the functions of your tissues and organs

Anabolism

The buildup of complex substances in the cell from simpler ones as a part of metabolism

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex substances into simpler ones as a part of metabolism

Chromosome

Body in the nucleus that contains DNA and genes

Cytoplasm

Clear, gelatinous substance that forms the substance of a cell, except for the nucleus

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Source of hereditary characteristics found in chromosomes

Electrolyte

Substance that, when dissolved in a suitable medium, forms electrically charged particles

Hormone

Chemical formed in one tissue or organ and carried by the blood to stimulate or inhibit a function of another tissue or organ

Hormonal

Pertaining to a hormone

Intracellular

Within the cell

Lipid

General term for all types of fatty compounds; for example: cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acids

Membrane

Thin layer of tissue covering a structure or cavity

Membranous

Pertaining to a membrane

Metabolism

The constantly changing physical and chemical processes occurring in the cell that are the sum of anabolism and catabolism

Metabolic

Pertaining to metabolism

Mitochondria

Organelles that generate, store, and release energy for cell activities

Nucleolus

Small mass within the nucleus

Nucleus

Functional center of a cell or structure

Nuclear

Pertaining to a nucleus

Protein

Class of food substances based on amino acids

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

The information carrier from DNA in the nucleus to an organelle to produce protein molecules

Steroid

Large family of chemical substances found in many drugs, hormones, and body components.

Chromatin

46 molecules (23 pairs during cell division) of DNA that forms chromosomes during cell division

Chromosome

The body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes

Chromosomal

Pertaining to a chromosome

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

The chemical repository of hereditary characteristics

Epigenetics

The study of disorders produced by the effects of chemical compounds (e.g. pollutants) or environmental influences (such as diet) on genes

Gene & Genetic

The functional unit of heredity on a chromosome; Pertaining to genetics

Genome

A complete set of chromosomes

Helix

A spiral of nucleotides in the structure of DNA

Heredity

The transmission of characteristics from parent to offsping

Histone

A simple protein found in the cell nucleus

Karyotype

The chromosome characteristics of an individual cell

Mitosis

Cell division to create two identical cells, each with 46 chromosomes

Mutation

A permanent alteration in the nucleotide sequence of the genome

Nucleotide

Combination of a DNA base, a sugar molecule, and a phosphate molecule

Phenotype

Manifestation of a genome

Replicate

To produce an exact copy

Cytogenetics

Study of chromosomal abnormalities in a cell

Dysmorphology

The study of developmental structural defects

Dysmorphic

Possessing a developmental structural defect

Embryo

Developing organism from conception until the end of the eighth week

Fetus

Huaman organism from the end of the eighth week to birth

Predictive

The likelihood of a disease or disorder being present or occurring in the future

Therapy

Systematic treatment of a disease, dysfunction, or disorder

Therapeutic

Curing or capable of curing a disorder or disease

Arthroscopy

Visual examination of the interior of a joint

Connective Tissue

The supporting tissue of the body

Cruciate

Shaped like a cross

Graft

Transplantation of living tissue

Histology

Study of the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs

Histologist

Specialist in histology

Ligament

Band of fibrous tissue connecting two structures

Meniscus

Disc of cartilage between the bones of a joint

Muscle

A tissue consisting of contractile cells

Patella

Thin, circular bone embedded in the patellar tendon in front of the knee joint; also called the kneecap

Patellar

Pertaining to the patella

Capsule

Fibrous tissue layer surrounding a joint or other structure

Capsular

Pertaining to a capsule

Cartilage

Nonvascular, firm connective tissue found mostly in joints

Collagen

Major protein of connective tissue, cartilage, and bone

Matrix

Substance that surrounds and protects cells, is manufactured by the cells, and holds them together

Nutrient

A substance in food required for normal physiologic function

Periosteum

Fibrous membrane covering a bone

Synovial

Pertaining to the synovial membrane or fluid

Tendon

Fibrous band that connects muscle to bone

Cardiovascular

Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels

Digestion

Breakdown of food into elements suitable for cell metabolism

Digestive

Pertaining to digestion

Endocrine

A gland that produces an internal or hormonal substance

Homeostasis

Maintaining the stability of a system or the body’s internal environment

Integument

Organ system that covers the body, the skin being the main organ within the system

Integumentary

Pertaining to the covering of the body

Lymph

Clear fluid collected from body tissues and transported by lymph vessels to the venous circulation

Lymphatic

Pertaining to lymph or the lymphatic system

Nervous

Pertaining to a nerve or the nervous system; or easily excited or agitated

Nervous system

The whole, integrated nerve apparatus

Respiration

Process of breathing; fundamental process of life used to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

Respiratory

Pertaining to respiration

Skeleton

The bony framework of the body

Skeletal

Pertaining to the skeleton

Urinary

Pertaining to urine

Anatomy

Study of the structures of the human body

Anatomical

Pertaining to anatomy

Anterior

The front surface of the body; situated in front. Opposite of posterior

Caudal

Pertaining to or nearer to the tailbone. Opposite of cephalic, same as inferior

Cephalic

Pertaining to or nearer to the head. Opposite of caudal, same as superior

Coronal

Pertaining to the vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior portion. Same as frontal

Distal

Situated away from the center of the body. Opposite of proximal