Summative Quiz Review: Anatomy and Cell Biology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering cell organelles, histology (epithelium and glands), and upper limb anatomy based on the summative quiz transcript.

Mitochondria

Commonly known as the “powerhouse of the cell,” these organelles perform specialized metabolic functions essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Peroxisomes

Organelles that contain catalases to break down $H_2O_2$, detoxify alcohol, oxidize fatty acids, and metabolize various compounds.

Nuclear envelope

A double set of membranes with a narrow perinuclear space that separates the cytoplasm from the nucleoplasm; its outer membrane binds ribosomes and is continuous with the RER.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis, also known as “cell eating,” in which vesicles are formed as particulate materials external to the cell are engulfed by pseudopodia.

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis, also known as “cell drinking,” in which vesicles are formed as interstitial fluid is taken up by the cell.

Meiosis

A process of cell division that produces 4 non-identical haploid cells.

G1 phase

A period in the cell cycle that begins at the end of mitosis and includes preparation for DNA replication, acting as a time gap for active RNA and protein synthesis.

S phase

The period of the cell cycle dedicated to DNA synthesis.

Basal Lamina

The apical portion of the Basement Membrane consisting of electron-dense Type IV collagen; it is attached to epithelial cells by hemidesmosomes and cannot be seen via light microscopy.

Reticular Lamina

The thicker and more diffused basal portion of the Basement Membrane containing Type III collagen reticular fibers.

Adherens junctions

Cell junctions containing the transmembrane proteins cadherin and catenin; examples include Zonula Adherens and Macula Adherens.

Tight junctions

Also known as Zonula Occludens, these junctions utilize the transmembrane proteins Claudin and Occludin.

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

An epithelial tissue composed of several layers where the outermost surface cells have flat or disc-shaped nuclei.

Merocrine glands

Glands that release products via exocytosis of membrane-bound secretory vesicles involving fusion with the plasma membrane.

Apocrine glands

Glands that lose their products via membrane-enclosed apical cytoplasm.

Holocrine glands

Glands that secrete products through the total disintegration of the secretory cells.

Proteasomes

Large protein complexes that degrade improperly folded proteins after they are tagged with ubiquitin by unfolding them and breaking them into smaller peptides.

Sesamoid bone

A classification of bones that grow within a tendon, with the patella being the largest example.

Anatomical Position (Digits)

The basis where the palm faces anteriorly and digits are numbered 1 to 5 from lateral (thumb) to medial (pinky).

Sagittal plane

A longitudinal plane that divides the body into right and left halves.

Frontal plane

Also called the coronal plane, it divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

Transverse plane

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Pennate Muscles

Feather-like muscles in the arrangement of their fascicles; types include unipennate (e.g., extensor digitorum longus), bipennate (e.g., rectus femoris), and multipennate (e.g., deltoid).

Clavipectoral fascia

Fascia that fills the gap between pectoralis minor and subclavius and directly envelops the pectoralis minor.

Opponens pollicis

The muscle responsible for opposition, bringing the pad of the thumb to the pad of another digit.

Triangular interval

An anatomical space where the Teres Major forms the superior border.

Apoptosis

A rapid, highly regulated cellular activity that eliminates unneeded cells without inducing local inflammation, unlike necrosis.

Intercalated Duct

A short duct in exocrine glands lined with simple low cuboidal epithelium.

Striated Duct

Ducts characterized by infoldings of the plasma membrane and interspersed elongated mitochondria, appearing as striations.

Hemidesmosome

An anchoring junction that uses the transmembrane protein integrin to link intermediate filaments to the basal lamina.

Gap Junction

Also known as a Nexus, it carries the transmembrane protein connexin to allow direct communication between cells.

Surgical Neck

The part of the humerus located superior to the spiral groove while in the anatomical position.

Fusiform muscle

A muscle type characterized by a wide belly with tapering tendons on either end, such as the biceps brachii.

Brachialis

An anterior brachial compartment muscle primarily innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve that performs elbow flexion.

Interosseous Membrane

The structure that separates the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm.

Medial epicondyle

The common flexor attachment point on the humerus for muscles such as the pronator teres and flexor carpi radialis.

Quadrangular space

An anatomical space where the Teres minor forms the superior boundary.

Subscapularis

A muscle of the scapulohumeral group that medially rotates the arm.