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Anatomy & Physiology Core Vocabulary

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Terms in this set (30)

  • Organism

    A living individual composed of one or more cells that can carry out life processes.

  • Cellular Composition

    All living organisms are made up of cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of life.

  • Metabolism

    All chemical reactions in the body, including anabolism (building up) and catabolism (breaking down).

  • Anabolism

    Metabolic process that builds larger molecules from smaller ones, requiring energy.

  • Catabolism

    Metabolic process that breaks down molecules into smaller units, releasing energy.

  • Growth

    Increase in size and number of cells resulting in an increase in body size.

  • Excretion

    Removal of metabolic waste products from the body.

  • Responsiveness

    The ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in its environment.

  • Movement

    Motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, or organelles within cells.

  • Reproduction

    Process by which organisms produce new individuals, either sexually or asexually.

  • Levels of Structural Organization

    Hierarchy from simplest to most complex: Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism.

  • Systemic Anatomy

    Study of the body's organ systems, such as the skeletal or muscular system.

  • Regional Anatomy

    Study of specific areas of the body, like the head or chest, including all tissues and organs there.

  • Surface Anatomy

    Study of external features and landmarks of the body to locate deeper structures.

  • Microscopic Anatomy

    Study of structures too small to be seen with the naked eye, including cytology and histology.

  • Integumentary System

    Body system including skin, hair, nails, and glands that protects the body and regulates temperature.

  • Directional Terms: Anterior (Ventral) vs Posterior (Dorsal)

    Anterior (Ventral) means front; Posterior (Dorsal) means back of the body.

  • Directional Terms: Superior (Cranial) vs Inferior (Caudal)

    Superior (Cranial) means toward the head; Inferior (Caudal) means toward the feet.

  • Planes of Section: Sagittal

    Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right parts.

  • Planes of Section: Frontal (Coronal)

    Vertical plane dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

  • Planes of Section: Transverse (Axial)

    Horizontal plane dividing the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

  • Body Cavities: Thoracic Cavity

    Chest cavity housing the lungs and heart, protected by the rib cage.

  • Body Cavities: Abdominopelvic Cavity

    Large cavity below the diaphragm containing abdominal and pelvic organs.

  • Serous Membrane

    Thin membrane lining body cavities and covering organs, producing serous fluid to reduce friction.

  • Negative Feedback Loop

    Homeostatic control mechanism that reverses a change to maintain stability.

  • Positive Feedback Loop

    Control mechanism that amplifies a change, often to complete a process like childbirth.

  • Stimulus

    Any change in the environment that triggers a response.

  • Receptor

    Sensor that detects a stimulus and sends information to the control center.

  • Control Center

    Processes information from receptors and directs the response.

  • Effector/Response

    Organ or cell that acts to restore homeostasis based on control center signals.