APHY 101 Exam Modules 1–4 Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering vocabulary from Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology, Chemical Basis of Life, Cells, Metabolism, Tissues, the Integumentary System, and the Skeletal System.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body and its parts.

Physiology

The study of the function of the body and how it works.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite changes inside or outside the body.

Receptor

The part of a homeostatic mechanism that detects a change or stimulus.

Control Center

The part of a homeostatic mechanism that processes information and decides the appropriate response.

Effector

The part of a homeostatic mechanism that carries out the response to restore homeostasis.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

A mechanism that reverses a change and returns the body to normal, such as body temperature or blood glucose regulation.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

A mechanism that increases or amplifies a change until a specific event is complete, such as childbirth or blood clotting.

Axial Portion

The part of the body including the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The part of the body including the upper limbs, lower limbs, shoulder girdle, and pelvic girdle.

Visceral Layer

The inner layer of a serous membrane that covers the organ.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of a serous membrane that lines the cavity wall.

Mediastinum

The space between the lungs containing the heart, thymus, trachea, esophagus, and major blood vessels.

Anatomical Position

Standard position where the body is standing upright, feet flat, arms at sides, with palms and head facing forward.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment.

Sagittal Section

A body section that divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Section

A body section that divides the body into front and back portions.

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space.

Item for First Electron Shell

The first shell holds a maximum of $2$ electrons.

Cation

A positive ion formed when an atom loses electrons.

Anion

A negative ion formed when an atom gains electrons.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another.

Normal Blood pH

$$7.35-7.45$$

Monosaccharide

A single sugar unit, such as glucose, which is the primary energy source for cells.

Glycogen

The storage form of glucose in humans, found primarily in the liver and skeletal muscles.

Peptide Bond

The special chemical bond that connects amino acids in a protein chain.

Nucleotide

The building block of nucleic acids consisting of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Transcription

The process occurring in the nucleus where DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA).

Translation

The process occurring at the ribosome where mRNA is used to build a protein.

Ribosomes

Organelles responsible for protein synthesis, found free in the cytoplasm or attached to rough ER.

Mitochondria

The 'powerhouse' of the cell where ATP is produced through cellular respiration.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes to break down worn-out cell parts, bacteria, and waste.

Cilia

Short, numerous projections on the cell surface that move substances, such as mucus, across the surface.

Selectively Permeable

A property of the cell membrane that allows some substances to pass while blocking others.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane toward an area with higher solute concentration.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration than the cell, causing water to leave the cell and the cell to shrink (crenation).

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration than the cell, causing water to enter the cell and the cell to swell (lysis).

Apoptosis

Programmed or controlled cell death that is normal and beneficial.

Anabolism

Metabolic processes that build larger molecules from smaller ones and require energy ($ATP$).

Catabolism

Metabolic processes that break down large molecules into smaller ones, releasing energy.

Histology

The microscopic study of tissues.

Tight Junctions

Intercellular junctions that seal cells tightly together to prevent leakage, common in the intestinal lining.

Gap Junctions

Small channels between cells that allow for communication by passing ions, found in cardiac and smooth muscle.

Merocrine Glands

Exocrine glands that release secretions by exocytosis without damaging the cell, such as eccrine sweat glands.

Holocrine Glands

Exocrine glands in which the entire cell ruptures to release its secretion, such as sebaceous glands.

Chondrocyte

A mature cartilage cell.

Hyaline Cartilage

The most common and smooth type of cartilage found on the ends of bones, the nose, and the trachea.

Intercalated Discs

Specialized junctions unique to cardiac muscle that allow electrical signals to pass quickly between cells.

Stratum Basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis where active cell division (mitosis) occurs.

Stratum Lucidum

The transparent layer of the epidermis found only in the thick skin of the palms and soles.

Melanocyte

A cell in the epidermis that produces melanin to protect DNA from UV radiation.

Pacinian (Lamellated) Corpuscles

Sensory receptors located deep in the dermis or hypodermis that detect deep pressure and vibration.

Arrector Pili Muscle

A smooth muscle attached to hair follicles that contracts to cause goosebumps.

Rule of Nines

A method used to estimate the percentage of body surface area affected by burns.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell production occurring in the red bone marrow.

Epiphysis

The expanded ends of a long bone, containing mostly spongy bone.

Diaphysis

The shaft of a long bone, composed primarily of compact bone.

Osteoblasts

Bone-building cells that deposit bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Bone-resorbing cells that break down bone matrix.

Osteon

The structural unit of compact bone consisting of concentric lamellae surrounding a central canal.

Atlas (C1)

The first cervical vertebra that supports the skull and allows the head to nod 'yes'.

Axis (C2)

The second cervical vertebra containing the dens, which allows the head to rotate 'no'.

True Ribs

The first $7$ pairs of ribs that attach directly to the sternum via costal cartilage.