A&p Key Words

Front 1

anatomy

Back 1

the study of the structure and relationship between body parts

Front 2

antagonistic hormones

Back 2

hormones that act to return body conditions to within acceptable limits from opposite extremes

Front 3

antigen

Back 3

any molecule, usually a protein or polysaccharide, that can be identified as foreign or nonself. It may be a toxin, or a part of the protein coat of a virus, or a molecule unique to the plasma membranes.

Front 4

appendicular skeleton

Back 4

the bones that make up the limbs, basically your arms, legs, hands, and feet

Front 5

arteries

Back 5

carry blood away from the heart

Front 6

atom

Back 6

the smallest quantity of an element that still possesses the characteristics of the element

Front 7

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

Back 7

a common source of activation energy for metabolic reaction

Front 8

atria

Back 8

the two upper chambers of the heart

Front 9

autonomic nervous system (ANS)

Back 9

controls the activities of organs, glands, and various involuntary muscles

Front 10

axial skeleton

Back 10

the bones that revolve around the vertical axis of the skeleton, basically the spine and skull

Front 11

basal bodies

Back 11

at the base of each flagellum and cilium and appear to organize their development

Front 12

belly

Back 12

the part of the muscle between the origin and insertion

Front 13

Boyle's law

Back 13

describes the relationship between the pressure (P) and the volume (V) of a gas. The law states that if the volume increases, then the pressure must decrease (or vice versa).

Front 14

capillaries

Back 14

microscopic blood vessels with extremely thin walls

Front 15

carbohydrate

Back 15

any of certain organic compounds, including the sugars, starches, and celluloses

Front 16

cardiac cycle

Back 16

describes all the activities of the heart through one complete heartbeat - that is, through one contraction and relaxation of both the atria and the ventricles

Front 17

cardiac muscle

Back 17

responsible for the rhythmic contractions of the heart

Front 18

cardiac output (CO)

Back 18

is the volume of blood pumped out of the right or left ventricle per minute. CO = SV X HR.

Front 19

cardiovascular system

Back 19

consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood. This system transports nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells and removes metabolic waste. It protects the body and regulates body temperature

Front 20

catalyst

Back 20

accelerates the rate of a reaction

Front 21

cell

Back 21

the basic functional unit of all living things

Front 22

central nervous system (CNS)

Back 22

consists of the brain and the spinal cord

Front 23

centrioles

Back 23

a pair of centrioles located outside the nuclear envelope gives rise to the microtubules that make up the spindle apparatus used during cell division

Front 24

cerebrum

Back 24

consists of two cerebral hemispheres connected by a bundle of nerve fibers

Front 25

channel proteins

Back 25

provide passageways through the plasma membrane for certain water-soluble substances such as polar and charged molecules

Front 26

chromosomes

Back 26

made up of two identical halves called sister chromatids, which are joined at the centromere. Each consists of a single, tightly coiled molecule of DNA.

Front 27

cilia

Back 27

structure that protrudes from the cell membrane and makes wavelike movements. Classified by length and number per cell, cilia are short and many. The numerous cilia that line the respiratory tract sweep away debris. Structurally cilia consists of microtubules arranged in a "9 + 2" array.

Front 28

cofactors

Back 28

nonprotein molecules that assist enzymes

Front 29

compact bone

Back 29

the hard material that makes up the shaft of long bones and the outside surfaces of other bones

Front 30

compound

Back 30

when the atoms in a molecule are different. For example, H2O and C6H12O6, but not O2.

Front 31

cones

Back 31

photoreceptor cells that respond to bright light and color and transmit sharp images

Front 32

coronary circulation

Back 32

the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of the heart.

Front 33

covalent bond

Back 33

a chemical bond that forms when electrons are shared between atoms.

Front 34

cranial nerves

Back 34

nerves of the peripheral nervous system that originate from or terminate in the brain.

Front 35

cytokinesis

Back 35

divides the cytoplasm in the cell

Front 36

cytology

Back 36

the study of cells at the microscopic level

Front 37

cytoplasm

Back 37

specialized bodies within a cell called organelles suspended in a fluid matrix, the cytosol

Front 38

cytoskeleton

Back 38

the internal structure of the cytoplasm

Front 39

cytosol

Back 39

a fluid matrix of water and dissolved substances such as proteins and nutrients

Front 40

Dalton's law

Back 40

states that the sum of the partial pressures of each gas in a mixture is equal to the total pressure of the mixture.

Front 41

dermis

Back 41

the second layer of skin

Front 42

dialysis

Back 42

the diffusion of solutes across a selectively permeable membrane

Front 43

diastole

Back 43

a relaxation event of either the atria or ventricles

Front 44

diencephalon

Back 44

connects the cerebrum to the brain stem

Front 45

diffusion

Back 45

the net movement of substances from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Front 46

digestive system

Back 46

broken into two parts is responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients

Front 47

disaccharide

Back 47

a carbohydrate consisting of two linked sugar molecules

Front 48

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Back 48

the part of a cell that stores genetic information

Front 49

Dorsal

Back 49

refers to the back of the body

Front 50

effector

Back 50

corrects conditions according to the evaluation of the integrator

Front 51

electron transfer proteins

Back 51

involved in transferring electrons from one molecule to another during chemical reactions.

Front 52

electrons

Back 52

the negative charge of an atom outside the nucleus

Front 53

elements

Back 53

make up matter and possess unique physical and chemical properties

Front 54

endocrine glands

Back 54

secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

Front 55

endocrine system

Back 55

produces hormones that are instrumental in maintaining homeostasis and regulating reproduction and development

Front 56

endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Back 56

stacks of flattened sacs involved in the production of various materials

Front 57

enzymes

Back 57

proteins that are specific for particular reactions

Front 58

epidermis

Back 58

the top layer of skin

Front 59

epithalamus

Back 59

contains the pineal gland

Front 60

epithelial membrane

Back 60

a combination of epithelial and connective tissues working together to perform a specific function

Front 61

epithelial tissue

Back 61

acts as a covering and lining on the outside surfaces of the body and lines the internal organs or secretes hormones or other products

Front 62

exocrine glands

Back 62

secrete their substances into tubes, or ducts, which carry the secretions to the epithelial surface. Examples include sweat, saliva, milk, and stomach acid

Front 63

female reproductive system

Back 63

consists of the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus (womb), vagina (birth canal), and vulvae

Front 64

flagella

Back 64

structure that protrudes from the cell membrane and makes wavelike movements. Classified by length and number per cell, flagella are long and few. A single flagellum propels sperm. Structurally flagella consists of microtubules arranged in a "9 + 2" array

Front 65

formed element

Back 65

cells and cell fragments present in blood

Front 66

frontal (coronal) plane

Back 66

divides the body or organ vertically into a front and rear part

Front 67

gametes

Back 67

eggs and sperm

Front 68

ganglia

Back 68

clusters of cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system

Front 69

gastrointestinal
(GI) tract

Back 69

is a continuous tube with two openings, the mouth and the anus. It includes the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine

Front 70

Golgi apparatus (Golgi complex or Golgi body)

Back 70

a group of flattened sacs arranged like a stack of bowls that function to modify and package proteins and lipids into vesicles

Front 71

gross (macroscopic) anatomy

Back 71

the study of body parts visible to the naked eye

Front 72

gustatory sense

Back 72

sense of taste

Front 73

heart rate (HR)

Back 73

the number of heartbeats per minute

Front 74

hematopoiesis

Back 74

production of red blood cells

Front 75

hemopoiesis

Back 75

the process that produces the formed elements of the blood and takes place in the red bone marrow of long bones

Front 76

hemostasis

Back 76

the maintenance of stable, internal conditions within specific limits. A characteristic of all living systems

Front 77

horizontal (transverse) plane

Back 77

divides the body or organ horizontally into a top and bottom part

Front 78

hormone

Back 78

chemical messenger produced by a cell that effects specific changes in the cellular activity of other cells

Front 79

hydrogen bond

Back 79

a weak chemical bond that forms between the positively charged hydrogen atom and one covalently bonded molecule and the negatively charges area of another covalently bonded molecule

Front 80

hypodermis

Back 80

the layer between the dermis and the underlying tissues and organs

Front 81

immune system

Back 81

the third line of defense that consists of specific mechanisms and agents that target specific antigens

Front 82

induced-fit model

Back 82

describes how enzymes work

Front 83

inorganic compound

Back 83

compounds that do not contain carbon atoms. Water, O2, and NaCl are examples of inorganic compounds

Front 84

insertion

Back 84

the muscle end that attaches to the moving structure

Front 85

integrator

Back 85

control center (often the brain).

Front 86

integumentary system

Back 86

the skin and its accessory organs

Front 87

interatrial septum

Back 87

separates the left and right atria longitudinally in the heart

Front 88

interventricular septum

Back 88

separates the left and right ventricles longitudinally in the heart

Front 89

iris

Back 89

the colored portion of the eye that opens and closes to control the size of its circular opening, the pupil

Front 90

left atrium

Back 90

(and its auricle appendage) receive oxygenated blood from the lungs through four pulmonary veins and acts as a holding chamber for blood in readiness for its flow into the left ventricle.

Front 91

left ventricle

Back 91

the pumping chamber of the heart for systemic circulation

Front 92

limbic system

Back 92

a network of neurons that extends over a wide range of areas of the brain. Imposes an emotional aspect to behaviors, experiences, and memories

Front 93

lipids

Back 93

class of substances that are insoluble in water (and other polar solvents) but are soluble in nonpolar substances (like ether or chloroform).

Front 94

living systems

Back 94

can be described from various perspectives, from the very broad (looking at the entire earth) to the very minute (individual atoms).

Front 95

lymph nodes

Back 95

small, oval or bean-shaped bodies that occur along lymphatic vessels. They filter the lymph, destroy bacteria, toxins, and particulate matter, and they produce antibodies

Front 96

lymphatic system

Back 96

consists of lymphatic vessels, a fluid called lymph, lymph nodes, the thymus, and the spleen.

Front 97

lymphocytes

Back 97

white blood cells (leukocytes) that provide an immune response that attacks specific kinds of nonself cells and foreign substances

Front 98

lysosomes

Back 98

vesicles from a Golgi apparatus that contain digestive enzymes that break down food, cellular debris, and foreign invaders such as bacteria.

Front 99

macrophages

Back 99

enlarged monocytes (white blood cells) that engulf microbes and cellular debris

Front 100

major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

Back 100

(also called human leukocyte antigens, HLAs) is the mechanism by which the immune system is able to differentiate between self and nonself cells

Front 101

male reproductive system

Back 101

consists of the scrotum, testes, epidiymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, urethra, spermatic cord, accessory sex glands, and the penis.

Front 102

mammary glands

Back 102

sweat glands on a woman that are specialized for the production of milk.

matter anything that takes up space and has mass.

Front 103

matter

Back 103

anything that takes up space and has mass

Front 104

meiosis

Back 104

a reduction division, producing daughter cells that contain half the genetic information of the parent cell

Front 105

melatonin

Back 105

a hormone that helps regulate the biological clock (sleep-wake cycles).

Front 106

metabolism

Back 106

the breakdown of substances, the formation of new products, or the transferring of energy from one substance to another.

Front 107

microtubules

Back 107

protein fibers made of the protein tubulin and provide support and mobility for cellular activities found in the spindle apparatus.

Front 108

mitochondria

Back 108

carry out aerobic respiration.

Front 109

mitosis

Back 109

a process of cell division in which the nucleus is divided so that both daughter cells are genetically identical.

Front 110

molecules

Back 110

atoms chemically bound together

Front 111

monosaccharide

Back 111

the simplest kind of carbohydrate consisting of a single sugar molecule

Front 112

motor neurons

Back 112

transmit impulses from the central nervous system to effectors (muscles or glands).

Front 113

muscle tissues

Back 113

consist of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle

Front 114

muscular system

Back 114

consists of skeletal muscles and their associated connective tissues. It does not include cardiac muscle or smooth muscle.

Front 115

negative feedback

Back 115

a sensing mechanism detects a change in conditions beyond specific limits. A control center evaluates the change and activates the change and activates a second mechanism to correct the condition. The variant condition is canceled, or negated, so that conditions are returned to normal.

Front 116

nephrons

Back 116

filtering units that number over a million in the kidneys

Front 117

nerve

Back 117

a bundle of nerve fibers in the peripheral nervous system held together with connective tissue.

Front 118

nervous system

Back 118

consists of two parts: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.

Front 119

nervous tissue

Back 119

tissue that consists of two kinds of nerve cells, neurons and neuroglia

Front 120

neuroglia

Back 120

cells that support and protect neurons

Front 121

neuron

Back 121

a cell that transmits nerve impulses

Front 122

neurophysiology

Back 122

the study of how the nervous system functions

Front 123

neutrons

Back 123

the neutral charge in the nucleus of an atom

Front 124

nuclear division

Back 124

divides the genetic material in the nucleus

Front 125

nuclei

Back 125

clusters of cell bodies in the central nervous system

Front 126

nucleus

Back 126

the part of the cell that contains DNA, the hereditary information of the cell

Front 127

olfactory sense

Back 127

sense of smell

Front 128

oogenesis

Back 128

consists of the meiotic cell divisions that lead to the production of ova (eggs) in females

Front 129

organ

Back 129

a group of different kinds of tissues working together to perform a particular activity.

Front 130

organelles

Back 130

bodies within the cytoplasm that serve to physically separate the various metabolic reactions that occur within cells.

Front 131

organic compounds

Back 131

compounds that have carbon atoms

Front 132

organism

Back 132

a system possessing the characteristics of living things - the ability to obtain and process energy, the ability to respond to environmental changes, and the ability to reproduce.

osmosis the diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane.

Front 133

parasympathetic nervous system

Back 133

activates tranquil functions, such as stimulating the secretion of saliva or digestive enzymes into the stomach

Front 134

passive transport

Back 134

the movement of substances from regions of higher to lower concentration and do not require expenditure of energy

Front 135

peripheral nervous system (PNS)

Back 135

consists of nerves outside the central nervous system

Front 136

peristalsis

Back 136

the major means of propulsion in moving food along the digestive tract. Consists of a series of alternating contractions and relaxations of smooth muscle that lines the walls of the digestive organs and that forces food to move forward

Front 137

phagocytes

Back 137

white blood cells that wander throughout the body attacking bacteria and other foreign invaders.

Front 138

physiology

Back 138

the study of the function of body parts and the body as a whole

Front 139

plasma (cell) membrane

Back 139

separates internal metabolic events from the external environment and controls the movement of materials into and out of the cell. It bounds the cell and encloses the nucleus and cytoplasm

Front 140

plasma

Back 140

straw-colored, liquid portion of the blood, which consists of water, proteins, waste products, nutrients, electrolytes, and respiratory gases

Front 141

platelets (thrombocytes)

Back 141

fragments of huge cells that adhere to damaged blood vessel walls and release enzymes that activate the stoppage of bleeding

Front 142

polysaccharide

Back 142

a carbohydrate that is a series of connected monosaccharides.

Front 143

positive feedback

Back 143

an action intensifies a condition so that it is driven farther beyond normal limits.

Front 144

primary sex organs (gonads)

Back 144

secrete hormones that produces gametes.

Front 145

process of sight

Back 145

involves converting light energy into chemical energy

Front 146

proteins

Back 146

represent a class of molecules that have varied functions. Eggs, muscles, antibodies, silk, fingernails


, and many hormones are partially or entirely proteins.

protons the positive charge in the nucleus of an atom.

Front 147

pulmonary circulation

Back 147

deoxygenated blood travels from the right side of the heart to each of the two lungs. Within the lungs O2 enters and CO2 leaves so that oxygenated blood returns from the lungs to the left side of the heart.

Front 148

pupil

Back 148

the circular opening of the eye. The size of the pupil is controlled by the iris. The size of the pupil regulates the amount of light entering the eye and helps bring objects into focus.

Front 149

receptor

Back 149

a sensing mechanism

Front 150

receptor proteins

Back 150

provide binding sites for hormones or other trigger molecules

Front 151

red blood cells (erythrocytes or RBCs)

Back 151

transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood

Front 152

remodeling

Back 152

the process of creating new bone and removing old bone.

Front 153

reproduction

Back 153

the production of eggs and sperm and the processes leading to fertilization.

Front 154

respiratory system

Back 154

delivers air to the lungs

Front 155

retina

Back 155

the inner nervous tunic of the eye that absorbs light in the pigmented epithelium and stores vitamin A by use of photoreceptor cells.

Front 156

Rh blood group

Back 156

This is a complex group defined by the antigens produced by three different genes. The Rh factor determines positive or negative blood.

Front 157

right atrium

Back 157

located in the upper right side of the heart, along with the right auricle, acts as a temporary storage chamber so that blood will be readily available for the right ventricle.

Front 158

right ventricle

Back 158

the pumping chamber of the heart for pulmonary circulation

Front 159

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Back 159

takes genetic instructions from DNA and directs various metabolic activities of the cell.

Front 160

rods

Back 160

photoreceptors that are most sensitive to light and more numerous than cones. The provide vision in dim light and are more capable of detecting movement.

Front 161

sagittal planes

Back 161

divide the body or organ vertically into a right and left part

Front 162

sensory neurons

Back 162

transmit impulses from skin and other sensory organ or from various places within the body to the central nervous system.

Front 163

skeletal muscle

Back 163

attaches to bones and causes movements of the body; also known as striated muscle or voluntary muscle.

Front 164

skeletal system

Back 164

bones, cartilage, and the membranes that line the bones

Front 165

smooth muscle

Back 165

lines the walls of hollow organs

Front 166

somatic nervous system (SNS)

Back 166

directs the contraction of skeletal muscles

Front 167

spermatogenesis

Back 167

the development of a spermatid into mature sperm cells

Front 168

spinal cord

Back 168

an extension of the brain stem that functions to transmit nerve impulses and spinal reflexes.

Front 169

spleen

Back 169

the largest lymphatic organ and is located on the left side of the body between the diaphragm and stomach. It filters the blood, destroys old red blood cells, provides a reservoir of blood, is active in immune responses, and produces blood cells.

Front 170

spongy bone

Back 170

consists of thin, irregularly shaped plates arranged in a latticelike network

Front 171

steroids

Back 171

are characterized by a backbone of four linked carbon rings. Examples of steroids include cholesterol and certain hormones, including testosterone and estrogen

Front 172

stroke volume (SV)

Back 172

the volume of blood ejected by each ventricle during a single contraction

Front 173

sympathetic nervous system

Back 173

involved in the stimulation of activities that prepare the body for action, such as increasing the heart rate.

Front 174

synapse (synaptic cleft)

Back 174

a gap that separates the neuron from a muscle cell or another neuron.

Front 175

systemic circulation

Back 175

oxygenated blood travels from the left side of the heart to the various areas of the body. Gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occurs across the capillary walls into the surrounding cells. The deoxygenated blood returns to the right side of the heart.

Front 176

systole

Back 176

a contraction event of either the atria or ventricles

Front 177

tissue

Back 177

a group of similar cells performing a common function

Front 178

urinary system

Back 178

helps maintain homeostasis by regulating water balance and by removing harmful substances from the blood.

Front 179

veins

Back 179

carry blood toward the heart

Front 180

ventricles

Back 180

the two lower chambers of the heart that serve as the pumping machines

Front 181

vesicles

Back 181

small, spherically shaped sacs that bud from the ends of a Golgi apparatus

Front 182

white blood cells (WBCs)

Back 182

protect the body from foreign microbes and toxins

Front 183

zygote

Back 183

the fusing of an egg and a sperm