Science Flashcards
Acid
A substance with a pH less than 7
Adaptive immune system
A kind of passive or active immunity in which antibodies to a particular antigen are present in the body
Adrenal
A gland above the kidney that produces hormones to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and other functions
Aveoli
Microscopic air sac in the lungs where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
Anatomical position
Standard positioning of the body; standing; feet together; arms to the side; head, eyes and palms of hands forward
Anion
A negatively charged ion
Antibody
A specific blood protein produced in response to a specific antigen
Antigen-presenting cells (APC)
A cell that displays foreign antigens with major histocompatibility complexes on their surfaces
Antigens
A molecule that elicits a response from immune cells
Antimicrobial
A substance that kills or inhibits growth of microorganisms with minimal damage to the host
Anus
The opening of the rectum from which solid waste is expelled
Arteries
Blood vessels that deliver blood from the heart to other parts of the body
Asthma
A lung disease characterized by inflamed, narrow airways and difficulty breathing
Atom
The most basic complete unit of an element
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates unconscious body functions such as breathing and heart rate
Axon
A nerve fiber that carries a nerve impulse away from the neuron cell body
B cell
Lymphocytes that mature in bone marrow and make antibodies in response to antigens
Barrier
A divider between parts of the body
Base
A substance with a ph greater than 7
Bias
Prejudice in favor of or against an idea
Boiling point
The temperature at which a liquid boils and turns into vapor
Boiling
The transition of liquid to gas when a substance has acquired enough thermal energy
Bolus
A mass of food that has been chewed and swallowed
Bone
Hard, calcified material that makes up the skeleton
Brittle bone disease
A group of genetic disease that affect collagen and results in fragile bones
Bronchi
The main passage directly attached to the lungs
Bronchioles
Small passages in the lungs that connect bronchi to the alveoli
Canaliculi
Microscopic canals in ossified bone
Capillary
A small blood vessel that connects arterioles to venules
Carbohydrates
Sugar and starches composed of monosaccharides
Cardiovascular system
The system comprised of heart and blood vessels
Cartilage
Tough, elastic connective tissue found in parts of the body such as the ear and on ends of long bones
Catalyst
A substance that increases the rate of chemical reaction without undergoing permanent chemical change
Cation
A positively charged ion
Cause
An element that makes up something
Cell
The basic structural unit of an organism from which living things are created and at which level of life functions can take place
Cellular function
Process that include growth, metabolism, replication, protein synthesis, regulation and movement
Cervix
The passage that forms the lower part of the uterus
Chemical equation
Mathematic representation of a chemical reaction
Chemical properties
Characteristics of a material that present during a chemical reaction or chemical change
Chromatid
One of the two duplicates of a chromosome formed during the cell cycle
Chromosome
A structure made of condense DNA and histone proteins that contains genetic information
Chyme
The semifluid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine
Collagen
The primary structural protein of connective tissue that adds tensile strength to the matrix of bones
Complement
The group of proteins in blood serum and plasma that works with antibodies to destroy particular antigens
Compound
A substance made of two or more elements
Conclusion
An end judgement based on data
Condensation
The transition of gas to liquid
Constrict
To become narrower
Contraction
The process of leading to shortening or development of tension in a muscle
Control variable
Something kept constant during an experiment
Covalent bond
A chemical bond in which electrons pairs are shared between atoms
Critical point
The temperature at which the liquid and gas phase of a substance have the same density
Cystic fibrosis
A genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs, characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing up sputum, and lung infections
Data
A collection of information
Density
The amount of mass per volume
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Organic molecule with a double-helix structure that contains genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits
Deoxyribose sugar
The sugar portion of a deoxyribose nucleotide
Dependent variable
What is measured in an experiment as a possible effect after another variable is changed in that experiment. (Result of the experiment)
Deposition
The transition of a gas to a solid without passing through the liquid stage
Dermis
The middle layer of the skin
Diastole
The portion of the cardiac cycle in which the heart refills with blood
Diffusion
Passive movement of substances form areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
Dihybrid cross
A cross between parents of heterozygous at two specific genes
Dilate
To become wider
Directional terminology
Words use to explain relationships of locations of anatomical elements (distal, posterior, medial, etc)
Dominant
An allele or trait that is always expressed if present
Effect
A result of a cause
Electron
A negatively charged atomic particle
Element
Pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Empirical
Based on observation
Enzymatic digestion
The break down of food by enzymes for absorption
Enzyme
A protein produced by a living thing that acts as a catalyst
Epidermis
The outer layer of the skin
Estrogen
Female sex hormones
Evaporation
The transition of liquid to gas that happens with or without the substance acquiring enough thermal energy to reach its boiling point
Excretion
Elimination of metabolic waste from the body
Experiment
A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis
Fallopian tubes
Tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
Freezing
The transition of a liquid to a solid
Gallbladder
Organ that stores bile
Gas
A state of matter that does not have a definite volume or shape and is highly compressible
Gene
The unit of hereditary information; a sequence of nucleotides that occupies a fixed position on a chromosome
Genotype
The set of alleles that determine the trait being studied
Gland
An organ that secrets substances
Graduated cylinder
A narrow cylinder with measurement marks or gradations that is used to measure liquid volume
Group
A column of elements in the periodic table with common chemical properties
Gram
Metric unit of mass
Haversian canal
Channels in bone that contain blood vessels and nerves
Heart
The muscle that pumps blood throughout the body
Hemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body
Hormone
A chemical messenger produced by a gland and transported by the bloodstream that regulates specific processes in the body
Hydrogen bond
A noncovalent bond resulting from the attractive interaction between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom bonded to another electronegative atom
Hypothesis
A prediction based on research that states a possible outcome of an experiment
Immunoglobulin
An antibody
Independent variable
An item or aspect of an item that is manipulated or changed in an experiment as a possible cause
Inheritance
Transmission of characteristics to offspring
Innate immune system
A collection of nonspecific barriers and cellular response that serve as an inborn first and second line of defense against pathogens
Integumentary system
An organ system comprised of skin and its associated organs
Involuntary
Without intentional control
Ion
A positively or negatively charged atom or molecule
Ionic bond
The bond between two oppositely charged ions
Kidneys
The pair of organs that regulate fluid balance and filter waste from the blood
Large intestine
Also known as the colon, where vitamins and water are absorbed before feces are stored for elimination
Length
Measurement of distance from end to end
Leukocyte
White blood cells that protect the body agains disease
Lining cells
Flattened bone cells that come from osteoblast
Lipids
Fats, phospholipids, and steroids made with a high ratio of carbon to hydrogen
Liquid
A state of matter that has definite volume but not definite shape
Liter
Metric unit of liquid volume
Liver
Organ that produces bile, regulates glycogen storage, and preforms other bodily functions
Long bones
Long hollow shafts containing yellow bone marrow; the ends are made of spongy bone that contains red bone marrow
Lymph
Clear fluid that moves throughout the lymphatic system to fight disease
Lymphocyte
A subtype of white blood cell that ingests foreign material
Macromolecules
Large biological molecules that are classified as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids
Macrophage
A large white blood cell that ingests foreign material
Mass
A measurement of inertia, commonly considered the amount of material contained by an object and causing it to have weight in a gravitational field
Melting point
The temperature at which solid changes to liquid
Memory cell
A lymphocyte that respond to an antigen upon reintroduction
Mendelian inheritance
Inheritance if traits that follow Gregor Mendel’s two laws and the principle of dominance
Metal
A substance that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, forms cations by loss of electrons, and yields basic oxides and hydroxides
Meter
Metric unit of length
Monohybrid cross
A cross between two organisms with homozygous genotypes for a trait
Monomers
Molecules that can bond to similar or identical molecules to form a polymer
Mouth
The oral cavity at the entry to the alimentary canal.
Muscle
Fibrous tissue that produces force and motion to move the body or produce movement in parts of the body
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering and reabsorbing various molecules
Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers that transmits electrical impulse toward and away from the brain and spinal cord
Neutron
An atomic particle with no electric charge
Non-Mendelian inheritance
Inheritance of traits that do not follow Mendelian patterns of inheritance
Non-metal
Any element or substance that is not a metal
Nonpolar
A type of covalent bond in which two atoms share electrons at equal distances from their atomic nuclei
Nucleic acids
Long molecules made of nucleotides, DNA and RNA
Nucleotide
The monomer of DNA and RNA
Nucleus
A large organelle within a cell that houses the chromosomes
Orbital
An area around the nucleus where an electron can be found
Organ
A self-contained part of an organ system that performs a specific job and is composed of several tissues types organ systems. Functional groups of organs that work together within the body: circulatory, integumentary, skeletal, reproductive, digestive, urinary, respiratory, endocrine, lymphatic, muscular, and nervous
Organelle
A specialized part of a cell that has a specific function such as producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Organic molecule
A molecule found in a living thing that contains carbon
Osmosis
Passage of fluid through a membrane
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage at joints is damaged from injury or by age
Osteoblast
Cells that make bone
Osteoclasts
Cells that break down the matrix to release minerals
Osteocytes
Mature bone cells
Osteons
Cylindrical structure that compact bone
Osteoporosis
A disease that causes brittle, fragile bones
Ovary
Organ in which eggs are produced for reproduction
Pancreas
The gland of the digestive and endocrine systems that produces insulin and secretes pancreatic juices
Parathyroid
An endocrine gland in the neck that produces parathyroid hormone
Penis
Organ for elimination of urine and sperm from the male body
Perfusion
The passage of fluid to an organ or a tissue
Period
One of seven horizontal rows in the periodic tables
Periodic table
The table of elements expressed as columns and rows
Peristalsis
A series of muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract
PH
The measure of acidity or alkalinity
Phagocytosis
Ingestion of particles by a cell or phagocyte
Phase diagram
A graph of physical states of substance under varying temperature and pressure
Phosphate group
A phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms
Phenotype
Physical appearance of a trait which is the expression of the genotype at both molecular and organism level
Physical properties
Observable properties of matter
Pineal gland
A small gland near the center of the brain that secrets melatonin
Pituitary
The endocrine gland at the base of the brain that controls growth and development
Plasma cell
A white blood cell that produces a single type of antibody
Plasma
The pale yellow component of blood that carries red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets throughout the body
Pleura
A membrane around the lungs and inside the chest cavity
Polar
A type of covalent bond in which two atoms share electrons that are not equal distance from their atomic nuclei. If the geometry if the molecule does not equalize the partial charges created by the polar covalent bond, the region of partial charge remains unbalanced, and the molecule is considered polar
Polymer
A substance composed many similar units bonded together
Prostate
The gland in males that controls the release of urine and secretes a part of semen that enhances motility and fertility of sperm
Proteins
Molecules composed of amino acids joined by peptide bonds
Proton
A positively charged atomic particle
Recessive
Refers to traits that are masked if dominant alleles are also present; also refers to the allele for that trait (ex: pp)
Rectum
The last section of the large intestine, ending with the anus
Reference planes
Invisible planes dividing the body to describe locations: sagittal, coronal, transverse
Reflex
An involuntary action to a stimulus
Relaxation
Release of tension in a muscle
Renal arteries
The two branches of the abdominal aorta that supply the kidneys with oxygenated blood
Renal cortex
The outer layer of the kidney
Renal medulla
The innermost layer of the kidney
Renal pelvis
The center of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the ureter
Renal vein
A vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the kidneys to the inferior vena cava
Renin
An enzyme released by the kidney when reduced blood pressure is detected by baroreceptors in aorta and carotid arteries
Rheumatoid arthritis
A progressive autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain
Saliva
The clear liquid found in the mouth, also known as spit
Salt
A chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with at least part of the hydrogen of acid replaced by a cation
Scrotum
The pouch of skin that contains the testicles
Sequencing
Organization of cause-and-effect relationships
SI units
Systeme International (SI) or International system of units based on meters, kilometers, seconds, amperes, kelvin, candela, and mole. Commonly known as the metric system
Skin
The thin layer of the tissue that covers the body
Small Intestine
The part of the gastrointestinal tract between the stomach and large intestine that includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, where digestion and absorption of food occurs
Solid
A state of matter that retains its shape and density when not contained
Stomach
The organ between the esophagus and small intestine in which major portion of digestion occurs
Subcutaneous
Under the dermis
Sublimation
The transition of a substance from solid to gas without passing through the liquid state
Surfactant
A fluid secreted by alveoli and found in the lungs that maintains surface tension
Sweat
Perspiration excreted by sweat glands through the skin
Synapse
The structure that allows neurons to pass signals to other neurons, muscles, or glads
Systole
The portion of the cardia cycle in which the heart expels blood
T cell
White blood cells that mature in the thymus and participate in the immune system
Testes (testicles)
The organs that produce sperm; also called “testes”
Testosterone
The hormone that stimulates male secondary sexual characteristics
Thymus
The lymph organ where T cells mature
Thyroid gland
The gland in the neck that secrets hormones that regulate growth, development, and metabolic rate
Tidal volume
The amount of air inhaled after a normal inspiration;
amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation
Tissue
A group of cells with similar structure that function together as a unit but at a lower level than organs
Trachea
The windpipe, which connects the throat to the lungs
Triple point
The temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid, and vapor phases of a pure substances coexist
Urea
The nitrogenous wastes found in urine
Ureter
The duct that conducts urine from the kidney to the bladder
Urethra
The tube that connects the bladder to the exterior of the body
Urinary bladder
The structure that stores urine in the body until elimination
Urine
Liquid waste matter excreted by the kidneys
Uterus
The whom
Vagina
The tube that connects the external genitals to the cervix
Valence electrons
An electron in an outer orbital that can form bonds with other atoms
Variable
An item or aspect of an item that changes
Vas deferens
The duct in which sperm moves from a testicle to the urethra
Vein
Blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
Ventilation
The movement of air in and out of the body via inhalation and exhalation
Volume
The amount of space taken up by an object
Volumetric pipette
A device used for precise measurement of small amounts of liquid
Voluntary
With intentional control
