Chapter 1 Vocab

adapt (uh-DAPT) The process of responding either reversibly or permanently to changes in the environment.

anatomical position (an-uh-TOM-ih-kul puh-ZISH-un) A position in which the body is standing upright, feet together, with eyes facing forward, arms by the side, and palms facing forward.

anatomical section (an-uh-TOM-ih-kul SEK-shun) A line, real or imaginary, that cuts the body into parts.

anatomy (uh-NAT-uh-mee) The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.

apical (AP-ih-kul) The side of the cell that faces the lumen of an organ or vessel.

asthma (AZ-muh) Inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs characterized by variable and recurring symptoms of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

B

bilateral symmetry (by-LAT-er-ul SIM-eh-tree) A characteristic of most animals that allows them to be divided into two equal halves.

biomolecules (by-oh-MOL-ih-kyools) Molecules produced by living organisms, including large macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, as well as small molecules such as primary metabolites, secondary metabolites, and natural products.

body cavities (BOD-ee KAV-ih-tees) The anatomical compartments within the human body where organs are located.

C

capillary filtration (KAP-ih-lair-ee fil-TRAY-shun) Fluid movement into and out of a capillary as a result of hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.

cell differentiation (SEL dif-er-en-shee-AY-shun) The process where a cell changes from one type to another more specialized type. It involves changes in protein expression and to the cytoskeleton.

colloid osmotic pressure (KOL-oyd oz-MOT-ik PRESH-urz) The pressure exerted by proteins, notably albumin, on a vessel's plasma (blood/liquid) that usually tends to pull water into the blood.

coronal (kuh-ROH-nul) Also called frontal.

cristae (KRIS-tee) Folds of the mitochondrial inner membrane that provide an increase in the surface area for processes that help to produce ATP in the final steps of cellular respiration.

computed tomography (CT) scanning (kum-PYOO-ted toh-MOG-ruh-fee) A series of X-ray images taken from different angles and using computer processing to create cross-sectional images, or slices, of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside your body. Contrast may be used to improve detail.

cytosolic (sy-toh-SOL-ik) Relating to the fluid component of the cytoplasm excluding the organelles and other suspended intracellular structures.

E

epigastric region (ep-ih-GAS-trik REE-jun) Upper middle portion of the abdomen.

extracellular matrix (ek-struh-SEL-yoo-ler MAY-triks) The non-living substance produced by cells and secreted into the environment in which the cells are embedded, contains collagen, other structural proteins, and fluid, and can influence the behavior of the cells.

F

feedback control loops (FEED-bak kun-TROL loops) A physiological control system that takes the system output into consideration and enables the system to adjust its performance to meet a desired output response.

fluid matrix (FLOO-id MAY-triks) A mixture of water, salts, and proteins that surrounds cells.

functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (funk-shun-ul mag-NET-ik REZ-uh-nans IM-ij-ing) Non-invasive radiological imaging technique using a strong magnet and radio waves to produce a detailed image of areas inside the body, particularly effective for imaging soft tissue and organs, especially the brain. Functional MRI incorporates metabolic function by detecting changes in brain blood flow correlating to brain activity.

G

genetic (juh-NET-ik) Pertaining to DNA and expression of genes within DNA.

H

histology (his-TOL-uh-jee) The study of the microscopic structure of tissues.

homeostasis (hoh-mee-oh-STAY-sis) Maintenance of an internal environment within narrow fluctuations around a set-point in the face of a changing external environment.

homeostatic set points (hoh-mee-oh-STAT-ik set poynt) Established threshold required for a particular physiological process to maintain a consistent internal balance. Physiological value for a parameter (including body temperature, pH, electrolyte levels, etc.) about which there are fluctuations within a normal range.

hydrophilic (hy-droh-FIL-ik) "Water-loving"; having an affinity for water.

hydrophobic (hy-droh-FOH-bik) "Water-fearing"; tending to repel or fail to mix with water.

hydrostatic pressure (hy-droh-STAT-ik PRESH-ur) Mechanical pressure exerted on the wall of a vessel due to the volume of the fluid.

hypogastric region (hy-poh-GAS-trik REE-jun) Below the umbilical region and containing pelvic cavity.

hypoxia (hy-POK-see-uh) A deficiency in the amount of oxygen getting to the tissues.

L

left and right hypochondriac regions (left and ryte hy-poh-KON-dree-ak REE-junz) On the left and right of the epigastric region.

left and right iliac (inguinal) regions (left and ryte IL-ee-ak REE-junz) On the left and right of the hypogastric region.

left and right lumbar regions (left and ryte LUM-bar REE-junz) On the left and right of the umbilical region; lateral to lumbar vertebrae of spine.

lumen (LOO-men) Cavity of a physiological structure, like a blood vessel.

M

macroscopic (mak-roh-SKOP-ik) Visible to the naked eye; not microscopic.

membrane (MEM-brayn) A lipid bilayer that forms the outer boundary of a cell or organelle.

microscopic (my-kroh-SKOP-ik) So small as to be invisible or indistinct without the use of the microscope.

mitochondria (my-toh-KON-dree-uh) Rod-shaped organelles that can be considered the power generators of the cell, converting oxygen and nutrients into adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

N

negative feedback loop (NEG-uh-tiv FEED-bak loop) A physiological reaction whereby the product of the reaction regulates the reaction and causes a reversal of the original stimulus in order to reestablish the set point; the decreasing or counteracting of a response by its own influence on the process stimulating that response.

P

physiology (fiz-ee-OL-uh-jee) The study of function and processes essential for the maintenance of life, from cellular to whole organism level.

plasma (PLAZ-muh) The fluid portion of blood in which the cells are suspended.

polarization (poh-ler-ih-ZAY-shun) The differences in structure and function across different parts of a cell, usually between the apical and basal sides.

positive feedback loop (POZ-ih-tiv FEED-bak loop) A feedback process in which the effects of a small disturbance in a physiological system results in an increase in the magnitude of the perturbation and a resulting increase in the physiological outcome; the increasing or magnifying of a response by its own influence on the process stimulating that response.

S

sagittal (SAJ-ih-tul) Parallel to the median plane of the body.

T

transverse (trans-VERS) Also called horizontal or cross-section, a section in the horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower segments.

U

umbilical region (um-BIL-ih-kul REE-jun) The area in the center around the umbilicus (belly button).