A&P 1 Master Study Notes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards generated directly from the Anatomy & Physiology 1 study notes covering core terminology across Chapters 1 through 6.

Anatomy

The study of structure.

Physiology

The study of function and chemistry, explaining how the body works.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body structures visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body structures that require a microscope to view.

Regional Anatomy

The study of one specific area of the body.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of one particular organ system.

Homeostasis

The body's stable internal balance.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic mechanism where the body's response reduces or stops the original stimulus.

Positive Feedback

A homeostatic mechanism where the body's response amplifies the original stimulus until a goal is reached.

Catabolism

The breaking down of molecules to release energy.

Anabolism

The building up of molecules, which requires energy.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position where the body is standing upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Anatomical plane that separates anterior (front) from posterior (back).

Transverse Plane

Anatomical plane that separates superior (above) from inferior (below).

Sagittal Plane

Anatomical plane that separates left from right.

Visceral Layer

The layer of a serous membrane directly against or covering an organ.

Parietal Layer

The layer of a serous membrane lining the outer wall of a body cavity.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element with a different mass number due to a different neutron count.

Cations

Positively charged ions formed when an atom loses an electron.

Anions

Negatively charged ions formed when an atom gains an electron.

Ionic Bonds

Bonds formed by the electrical attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent Bonds

Strong bonds formed when two or more atoms share electrons.

Dehydration Synthesis

The process of building a larger molecule by removing water to join smaller pieces together.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking a chemical bond by adding a water molecule.

Glycogen

The polysaccharide storage form of carbohydrates in animal tissues such as muscle and liver.

Cellulose

A complex carbohydrate found in plant cell walls that cannot be digested by humans; the most common carbohydrate on Earth.

Denaturation

The breakdown or loss of a protein's 3D shape and function.

Phosphorylation

The rebuilding of ATP from ADP by re-adding a phosphate group, requiring an energy input.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane that requires no ATP energy.

Active Transport

Movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient, requiring ATP.

Phagocytosis

A form of endocytosis referred to as 'cell eating' that clears out dead or foreign material.

Pinocytosis

A form of endocytosis referred to as 'cell drinking' that takes in needed extracellular fluid.

Rough ER

Endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes that handles packaging and transportation of proteins.

Smooth ER

Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes that handles transportation of carbohydrates and lipids.

Golgi Apparatus

Organelle that further processes, sorts, and packages materials from the ER for transport.

Lysosomes

Organelles containing digestive enzymes that clear out old or dead cellular waste.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that neutralize toxins such as poison ivy irritants and free radicals.

Helicase

Enzyme that unwinds and unzips the DNA double helix during DNA replication.

DNA Polymerase

Enzyme that builds the new complementary strand of DNA during replication.

Codon

A triplet of three nucleotide bases in mRNA that codes for one specific amino acid.

Apoptosis

Programmed cellular suicide triggered when cell cycle checkpoints detect damaging mutations.

Differentiation

The process by which an unspecialized stem cell becomes a specialized cell type.

Totipotent Cells

Blank early embryonic cells that can form into any tissue type and give rise to the three germ layers.

Endothelium

Simple squamous epithelial tissue that lines blood and lymphatic vessels.

Mesothelium

Simple squamous epithelial tissue that lines body cavities within serous membranes.

Transitional Epithelium

Epithelial tissue found in the urinary bladder whose cell shapes shift from cuboidal-like when empty to flattened under pressure when full.

Merocrine Secretion

The most common exocrine secretion method where products are released via exocytosis while the cell remains intact.

Apocrine Secretion

Exocrine secretion method where the apical portion of the cell pinches off along with the secretion.

Holocrine Secretion

Exocrine secretion method where the entire cell ruptures to release its accumulated contents.

Keratinocytes

The primary cell type of the epidermis that produces keratin to waterproof the skin.

Stratum Basale

The deepest epidermal layer where active cell division occurs, containing dermal papillae and Merkel cells.

Eumelanin

A form of melanin pigment that provides brown or black pigmentation to skin and hair.

Pheomelanin

A form of melanin pigment that provides yellow or reddish-brown pigmentation.

Meissner Corpuscles

Cutaneous sensory receptors specialized for detecting light touch and tactile sensation.

Pacinian (Lamellar) Corpuscles

Cutaneous sensory receptors specialized for detecting vibration and deep pressure.

Cholecalciferol (D3)

The initial raw form of vitamin D synthesized in the skin upon exposure to UV radiation.

Calcitriol

The final active hormone form of vitamin D essential for calcium and phosphorus absorption.