Basic Chemistry, Cells, and Tissues Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering basic chemical concepts, biomolecules, and Chapter 3: Cells and Tissues.

Atoms

Building blocks of elements

Ions

Atoms that have lost or gained electrons

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic bond

Forms when electrons are transferred between atoms.

Covalent bond

Atoms become stable through shared electrons.

Hydrogen bond

Weak chemical bond where hydrogen is attracted to the negative portion of a polar molecule.

Macromolecules

Large molecules, often made of smaller building blocks.

Biomolecules

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids are identified as biological molecules.

Carbon compounds

Organic compounds contain carbon

Water

Most abundant inorganic compound in the body; has high heat capacity, solvent properties, chemical reactivity, and cushioning.

Carbon dioxide

$CO_2$; nonpolar molecule produced during cellular respiration.

Oxygen

$O_2$; gas used during aerobic cellular respiration to help produce ATP.

Chemical reactions

Processes where chemical bonds form or break to produce different substances.

pH

Measures the relative concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

Carbohydrate

Sugars and starches made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; provide energy.

Protein

Molecule made of amino acids that helps build tissues and perform cell functions.

Lipids

Fats and related molecules used for energy storage and cell membranes.

Nucleic acid

Molecule made of nucleotides that stores or helps use genetic information.

Reticular layer

Deeper layer of the dermis containing connective tissue, blood vessels, and glands.

Hemoglobin

Protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.

Cell anatomy

Structures of a cell and their functions.

Cell respiration

Process that uses glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and ATP.

Mitosis

Cell division that produces two genetically identical cells for growth and repair.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces four genetically different haploid cells for reproduction.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers and lines body surfaces; protects, absorbs, filters, and secretes.

Epithelial cell shapes

Squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), and columnar (tall).

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports, protects, and binds body structures together.

Connective tissue cell types and shapes

Includes fibroblasts (spindle-shaped), adipocytes (rounded), chondrocytes (rounded), and osteocytes (star-shaped).

Muscle tissue

Tissue that contracts or shortens to produce movement.

Skeletal muscle

Voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones; has long, cylindrical cells with multiple nuclei.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary, nonstriated muscle found in hollow organs; has spindle-shaped cells.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary, striated muscle found only in the heart; has short, branching cells.

Striated

Having a striped appearance under a microscope.

Intercalated discs

Connections between cardiac muscle cells that help coordinate contractions.

Myocytes

Muscle cells that contract to produce movement.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that receives and conducts electrochemical impulses throughout the body.

Neurons

Nerve cells that receive and transmit electrical signals.

Glial cells

Cells that insulate, protect, and support neurons.

Nervous tissue cell types

Neurons that transmit signals and glial cells that support and protect them.

Extracellular matrix

Nonliving material that surrounds living cells and provides support.

Collagen fibers

Strong connective tissue fibers that resist pulling and provide strength.

Elastic fibers

Fibers that stretch and return to their original shape.

Reticular fibers

Thin, branching collagen fibers that form supportive networks.

Proper connective tissue

Connective tissue divided into loose and dense types.

Cartilage

Firm, flexible connective tissue that supports and cushions body structures.

Chondrocytes

Mature cartilage cells found in spaces called lacunae.

Bone

Hard connective tissue made of calcium salts and collagen fibers that supports and protects the body.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells found in spaces called lacunae.

Blood

Fluid connective tissue that transports nutrients, wastes, and respiratory gases.

White blood cells

Blood cells that defend the body against infections and disease.

Red blood cells

Blood cells that transport oxygen using hemoglobin.

Tissue repair

Healing damaged tissue through regeneration or fibrosis.

Tissue development

Process where cells divide, grow, and specialize to form and maintain tissues.