Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

This study guide provides a comprehensive overview of essential terms and concepts commonly encountered in a college-level Anatomy & Physiology course. Understanding these foundational terms is crucial for mastering the structure and function of the human body.

General Anatomical Terms

• Anatomy: The study of the structure of organisms and their parts.

• Autopsy: Examination of a body after death to determine the cause of death.

• Cadaver: A dead body used for scientific or medical study.

• Cytology: The study of cells, their structure, and function.

• Dorsal: Refers to the back side of the body.

• Frontal Plane: A vertical plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior sections.

• Histology: The study of tissues at the microscopic level.

• Homeostasis: The maintenance of stable internal conditions.

• Inferior: Situated below or directed downward.

• Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.

• Medial: Toward the midline of the body.

• Pathology: The study of disease and its effects on the body.

• Physiology: The study of the functions and mechanisms in a living system.

• Positive Feedback: A process that amplifies a change in the body.

• Negative Feedback: A process that counteracts a change, maintaining homeostasis.

• Transverse Plane: A horizontal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.

• X-ray: Imaging technique using electromagnetic radiation to view internal structures.

Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element.

• Atomic Mass: The mass of an atom, typically measured in atomic mass units (amu).

• Atomic Number: The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

• Base: A substance that can accept hydrogen ions (protons).

• Buffer: A solution that resists changes in pH when acid or base is added.

• Carbohydrate: Organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; primary energy source.

• Covalent Bond: A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

• Disaccharide: A carbohydrate composed of two monosaccharides.

• Electron: A subatomic particle with a negative charge.

• Enzyme: Biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions.

• Hydrogen Bond: Weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction.

• Ionic Bond: Chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

• Lipid: Organic compounds, including fats and oils, that are insoluble in water.

• Monosaccharide: The simplest form of carbohydrate (e.g., glucose).

• Nucleic Acid: Macromolecules (DNA and RNA) that store genetic information.

• Nucleotide: The building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

• pH Scale: Measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution; ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic).

• Polysaccharide: Complex carbohydrate composed of many monosaccharides.

• Protein Structure: Proteins have four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.

• Steroid: A type of lipid with a characteristic four-ring structure.

• Triglyceride: A lipid made of one glycerol and three fatty acids.

• Valence Electrons: Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom, involved in chemical bonding.

Cell Structure and Function

• Benign: Refers to a non-cancerous growth.

• Cell Membrane: The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell.

• Chromatin: The complex of DNA and proteins that forms chromosomes within the nucleus.

• Cilia: Hair-like structures that help move substances across cell surfaces.

• Diffusion: Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration.

• Endocytosis: Process by which cells take in substances by engulfing them in a vesicle.

• Exocytosis: Process by which cells expel substances using vesicles.

• Flagella: Long, whip-like structures used for cell movement.

• Golgi Apparatus: Organelle involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins.

• Lysosome: Organelle containing digestive enzymes.

• Mitochondria: Organelle known as the "powerhouse" of the cell; site of ATP production.

• Nucleus: Organelle containing the cell's genetic material.

• Ribosome: Organelle responsible for protein synthesis.

• Rough ER: Endoplasmic reticulum with ribosomes attached; involved in protein synthesis.

• Smooth ER: Endoplasmic reticulum without ribosomes; involved in lipid synthesis.

• Vesicle: Small membrane-bound sac that transports substances within the cell.

Cellular Processes and Genetics

• Apoptosis: Programmed cell death.

• Chromosome: Structure composed of DNA and proteins; carries genetic information.

• Gene: Segment of DNA that codes for a protein.

• Mutation: Change in the DNA sequence.

• Transcription: Process by which RNA is synthesized from a DNA template.

• Translation: Process by which proteins are synthesized from mRNA.

• Interphase: Phase of the cell cycle when the cell grows and DNA is replicated.

• Mitosis: Cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells.

• Meiosis: Cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Metabolism and Biochemical Pathways

• Glycolysis: The breakdown of glucose to produce ATP.

• Krebs Cycle: Series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to generate energy.

• Oxidation: Loss of electrons during a reaction.

• Phosphorylation: Addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.

• ATP: Adenosine triphosphate, the main energy currency of the cell.

Comparison Table: Levels of Protein Structure

Key Equations

• pH Calculation:

• ATP Production (Aerobic Respiration):

Additional info:

• Some terms were expanded with academic context for clarity and completeness.

• Definitions and examples were inferred based on standard Anatomy & Physiology curriculum.