Vocabulary

Anatomy: The science of the structure of living organisms.

2. Physiology: The science of the functioning of living organisms.

3. Atom: The smallest part of an element; indivisible by ordinary chemical means.

4. Cells: The basic biological unit of living organisms, enclosed by a limiting membrane; cells in more complex organisms contain a nucleus and a variety of organelles.

5. Tissues: A group of similar cells specialized to perform a specific function; primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.

6. Organ: A part of a body formed of 2 or more tissues that perform a specialized function.

7. Organ System: A group of organs that work together to perform a vital organ function.

8. Organism: Represents the highest level of structural organization; the living human being.

9. Movement: Includes all the activities promoted by the muscular system, such as propelling ourselves from one place to another.

10. Responsiveness: The ability to sense changes (stimuli) in the environment and react to them.

11. Digestion: The process of breaking down ingested food into simple molecules that can then be absorbed into the blood.

12. Metabolism: A broad term that refers to all chemical reactions that occur within the body and all its cells.

13. Excretion: The process of removing waste from the body.

14. Reproduction: The production of offspring, which can occur on a cellular or organismal level.

15. Nutrients: Chemical substances taken through food for energy and cell building.

16. Anatomical Position: A standard reference position where the body is erect with the feet parallel and arms at sides with palms forward.

17. Directional Terms: Terms that allow medical personnel and anatomists to explain exactly where one body part is in relation to another.

18. Plane: An imaginary flat surface through which the body or organ is divided into sections.

19. Diaphragm: A dome shaped muscle that separates the superior thoracic cavity from the rest of the ventral cavity.

20. Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions.

21. Receptor: A type of sensor that monitors and responds to changes in the environment by sending information to the control center.

22. Control Center: Component that determines the level ('set point') at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes the info it receives, and determines an appropriate response.

23. Effector: Component that provides the means for the control center's output to the stimulus.

24. Negative Feedback: Mechanisms where the net effect of the response to the stimulus is to either shut off the original stimulus or reduce its intensity.

25. Positive Feedback: Mechanisms that tend to increase the original disturbance and push variable farther from original value.

26. Homeostatic Imbalance: A condition resulting from the disturbance of homeostasis, leading to disease or aging.