Science Term 1 Week 7: Human Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basics of human anatomy, physiology, body systems, and pathogens based on the Week 7 science lecture.

Cell

The most basic unit of life, with the average adult having between $30 - 40 \text{ trillion}$ cells.

Tissue

A select group of cells with similar functions that come together.

Organism Organization

The structural hierarchy of the human body consisting of Cells \rightarrow Tissues \rightarrow Organs \rightarrow Organ System \rightarrow Organism.

Skeleton

The framework of the body composed of cartilage and bone, consisting of $300$ bones at birth and $206$ bones by adulthood.

Tendons

Specialised tissues that attach muscles to bones to assist in locomotion.

Cranial cavity

The space within the skull that protects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system.

Pleural cavity

The specific body cavity where the lungs are protected.

Abdominal cavity

The body cavity that houses the intestines, liver, and spleen.

Digestive system

The system responsible for breaking down food and assimilating nutrients for growth and cell repair.

Respiratory System

Also known as the ventilatory system or gas exchange system, it involves the intake of oxygen and the exhale of carbon dioxide.

Ovaries

Organs in the female reproductive system that produce ovum (female eggs) and the hormone estrogen.

Uterus

Also known as the womb, this is a pear-shaped organ where the fetus grows.

Human Physiology

The study of the physical, mechanical, and biochemical functions of humans.

Claude Bernard

Known as the father of Physiology and the father of modern experimental Physiology.

Human Anatomy

The study of the structure of an object and how human parts interact to form a functional unit.

Andreas Vesalius

The Belgian-born physician known as the father of human anatomy, famous for his work \"Fabrica\".

Gross anatomy

A type of anatomy that deals with structures that can be seen with the naked eyes.

Microscopic anatomy

A type of anatomy that deals with structures that can only be viewed under a microscope.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, located in the forebrain, responsible for thinking, motor function, and understanding language.

Somatic nervous system

A part of the Peripheral Nervous System that transmits motor and sensory impulses between the CNS and the limbs or sensory organs.

Autonomic Nervous System

A system that relays impulses to smooth muscles and involuntary organs like the heart and lungs without conscious effort.

Gastric juice

A mixture of Hydrochloric acid and enzymes secreted by the stomach wall to breakdown food and kill bacteria.

Villi

Finger-like outgrowths in the small intestine with networks of blood vessels that absorb food.

Small intestine

A highly coiled organ approximately $7.5\,m$ in length that receives secretions from the liver and pancreas.

Large intestine

A wider and shorter organ, $1.5\,m$ in length, that absorbs water and salt from undigested food.

Pathogen

An organism causing disease to its host, such as viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotes.

Virulence

A term referring to the severity of the disease symptoms caused by a pathogen.