Chapters 1 & 2: Medical Terminology and Human Biology

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering medical term construction, cellular biology, genetics, tissues, and organ systems based on the lecture notes.

O

The most common combining vowel used in medical word construction.

Suffix

A word element that attaches to a root or combining form; one should always start at the end of a medical term when deconstructing its meaning.

Prefix

A word element that gives new meaning to a root, never requires a combining vowel, and may describe number, size, position, or condition.

Saur-

A word root meaning lizard.

Sauropod

A term meaning reptile foot.

Axillae

The plural form of the singular word axilla.

Prosstrayt

A term used to describe someone who is physically weak.

Red blood cell

The most abundant cell type, making up $80\,\%$ or greater of all cells; these live for $120_{}\text{ days}$.

White blood cell

A type of blood cell that lives for approximately $13_{}\text{ days}$.

Neurons

Cels that can live as long as a human.

Zygote

A single fertilized cell resulting from the fertilization of an egg by a sperm; it is the origin of every cell in the body.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Cytologist

A specialist in the structure, chemistry, and pathology of the cell.

Nucleolus

A structure within each nucleus involved in the manufacture of proteins from simple material through a process called anabolism.

Mitochondria

The powerhouses or energy plants of the cell that generate, store, and release energy by breaking down glucose and fat through catabolism.

Anabolism

The process of manufacturing proteins from simple material.

Catabolism

The process of producing energy by breaking down glucose and fat.

Metabolism

The constantly changing physical and chemical processes in the cell, defined as the sum of anabolism and catabolism ($A + C = M$).

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

The source of hereditary characteristics, consisting of $46$ molecules in the cell nucleus and forming a double helix.

Chromatin

Thin strands of uncondensed DNA packed in the nucleus of the cell.

Chromosomes

Condensed chromatin plus histone proteins; human body cells contain $46$ chromosomes ($23$ pairs).

Genes

The hereditary material on chromosomes; there are between $20,000-25,000$ genes in the human genome.

Mitosis

The process that allows cells to replicate and make copies of itself.

Human karyotype

A picture of chromosomes lined up in pairs; chromosomes $1-22$ are the same in both genders, while the $23rd$ pair is $XX$ for females and $XY$ for males.

Cytogenetics

The study of chromosome abnormalities to determine a cause for developmental delay, mental retardation, birth defects, and dysmorphic features.

Gene therapy

An experimental technique to replace a mutated gene that causes disease with a healthy copy.

Predictive medicine

Medicine that looks at the probability of a disease to allow preventative measures to be taken.

Connective tissue

A primary tissue group that binds, supports, and protects; examples include blood, bone, cartilage, and fat.

Muscle tissue

Tissue types including skeletal (attached to bones), smooth (internal organs), and cardiac (heart).

Synovial fluid

A fluid that allows a joint to move freely without friction and supplies nutrients to the joint cartilages.

Ligaments

Strips or bands of tough connective tissue; the knee has four major ones: ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL.

Tendons

Structures that attach muscle to bone.

Integumentary system

The organ system comprising skin, hair, nails, and glands that protects tissues and regulates body temperature.

Skeletal system

The system providing framework and protection that produces blood cells and stores inorganic salts.

Anatomical position

Position where the person is facing forward.

Supine

Laying flat on the back.

Prone

Laying flat on the belly.

Proximal

Situated nearest to the center of the body.

Distal

Situated away from the center of the body.

Transverse plane

The only horizontal body plane.

Diaphragm

The muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities; during inhalation it contracts and flattens to pull air into the lungs.