Chapter 1 Vocabulary Flashcards
Anatomy
The science of the structure of living organisms.
physiology
The science of the functioning of living organisms.
organelles
Specialized structures in a cell that perform specific metabolic functions.
cell
the basic biological unit of living organisms, containing a nucleus and a variety of organelles enclosed by a limiting membrane.
tissue
a group of similar cells specialized to perform a specific function; primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.
organ
a part of the body formed of two or more tissues that performs a specialized function.
organ system
a group of organs that work together to perform a vital body function
organism
an individual living thing
metabolism
the sum total of the chemical reactions that occur in the body
homeostasis
a state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body
negative-feedback mechanisms
feedback that causes the stimulus to decline or end
receptor
a peripheral nerve ending specialized for response to particular types of stimuli
control center
determines the level at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes the information it receives and then determines the appropriate response or course of action
effector
an organ, gland, or muscle capable of being activated by nerve endings
positive-feedback mechanism
feedback that tends to cause a variable to change in the same direction as the initial change; enhances the stimulus