Chapter 1 Vocab

Question 1

Anatomy

Answer 1

The science of the structure of living organisms.

Question 2

Physiology

Answer 2

The science of the functioning of living organisms.

Question 3

Organelle

Answer 3

Specialized structures in a cell that perform specific metabolic functions.

Question 4

Cell

Answer 4

The basic biological unit of living organisms, containing a nucleus and a variety of organelles enclosed by a limiting membrane.

Question 5

Tissue

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Organ

Answer 6

A part of the body formed of two or more tissues that performs a specialized function.

Question 7

Organ System

Answer 7

A group of organs that work together to perform a vital body function.

Question 8

Organism

Answer 8

An individual living thing.

Question 9

Metabolism

Answer 9

The sum total of the chemical reactions that occur in the body.

Question 10

Homeostasis

Answer 10

A state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body.

Question 11

Negative-Feedback Mechanisms

Answer 11

Feedback that causes the stimulus to decline or end.

Question 12

Receptor

Answer 12

A peripheral nerve ending specialized for response to particular types of stimuli.

Question 13

Control Center

Answer 13

Receives info from the receptor; determines appropriate response or course of action in brain.

Question 14

Effector

Answer 14

An organ, gland, or muscle capable of being activated by nerve endings.

Question 15

Positive-Feedback Mechanisms

Answer 15

Feedback that tends to cause a variable to change in the same direction as the initial change; enhances the stimulus.

Question 16

Anatomical Position

Answer 16

The position of the body with the face directed forward, the arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward, used as a reference in describing the relation of body parts to one another.

Question 17

Superior

Answer 17

Refers to the head or upper body regions.

Question 18

Inferior

Answer 18

Pertaining to a position near the tail end of the long axis of the body.

Question 19

Anterior

Answer 19

The front of an organism, organ, or part; the ventral surface.

Question 20

Posterior

Answer 20

Located behind a part or toward the rear of a structure.

Question 21

Sagittal Plane

Answer 21

A longitudinal plane that divides the body or any of its parts into right and left portions.

Question 22

Transverse Plane

Answer 22

Plane that divides the body or its parts into superior and inferior portions; also called a cross section.

Question 23

Frontal Plane

Answer 23

A longitudinal plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior and posterior parts.

Question 24

Oblique Plane

Answer 24

A plane that divides the body at an angle.

Question 25

Thoracic Cavity

Answer 25

The cavity in the vertebrate body enclosed by the ribs between the diaphragm and the neck and containing the lungs and heart.

Question 26

Abdominal Cavity

Answer 26

The space bounded by the abdominal walls, diaphragm, and pelvis and containing most of the organs of digestion, the spleen, the kidneys, and the adrenal glands.

Question 27

Pelvic Cavity

Answer 27

A body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis.

Question 28

Serous Membranes

Answer 28

Membrane that lines a cavity without an opening to the outside of the body (except for joint cavities.

Question 29

Pericardial Cavity

Answer 29

The potential space formed between the two layers of serous pericardium around the heart.

Question 30

Pleural Cavity

Answer 30

A closed space (like the inside of a balloon) within which the lung has grown.

Question 31

Peritoneal Cavity

Answer 31

A potential space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum.

Question 32

Mesentery

Answer 32

The double-layered membrane of the peritoneum that supports most organs in the abdominal cavity.