Science Flashcards
1
Q
Acid
A
A substance with a pH less than 7
2
Q
Adaptive immune system
A
A kind of passive or active immunity in which antibodies to a particular antigen are present in the body
3
Q
Adrenal
A
A gland above the kidney that produces hormones to regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and other functions
4
Q
Aveoli
A
Microscopic air sac in the lungs where exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place
5
Q
Anatomical position
A
Standard positioning of the body; standing; feet together; arms to the side; head, eyes and palms of hands forward
6
Q
Anion
A
A negatively charged ion
7
Q
Antibody
A
A specific blood protein produced in response to a specific antigen
8
Q
Antigen-presenting cells (APC)
A
A cell that displays foreign antigens with major histocompatibility complexes on their surfaces
9
Q
Antigens
A
A molecule that elicits a response from immune cells
10
Q
Antimicrobial
A
A substance that kills or inhibits growth of microorganisms with minimal damage to the host
11
Q
Anus
A
The opening of the rectum from which solid waste is expelled
12
Q
Arteries
A
Blood vessels that deliver blood from the heart to other parts of the body
13
Q
Asthma
A
A lung disease characterized by inflamed, narrow airways and difficulty breathing
14
Q
Atom
A
The most basic complete unit of an element
15
Q
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
A
The part of the peripheral nervous system that regulates unconscious body functions such as breathing and heart rate
16
Q
Axon
A
A nerve fiber that carries a nerve impulse away from the neuron cell body
17
Q
B cell
A
Lymphocytes that mature in bone marrow and make antibodies in response to antigens
18
Q
Barrier
A
A divider between parts of the body
19
Q
Base
A
A substance with a ph greater than 7
20
Q
Bias
A
Prejudice in favor of or against an idea
21
Q
Boiling point
A
The temperature at which a liquid boils and turns into vapor
22
Q
Boiling
A
The transition of liquid to gas when a substance has acquired enough thermal energy
23
Q
Bolus
A
A mass of food that has been chewed and swallowed
24
Q
Bone
A
Hard, calcified material that makes up the skeleton
25
Brittle bone disease
A group of genetic disease that affect collagen and results in fragile bones
26
Bronchi
The main passage directly attached to the lungs
27
Bronchioles
Small passages in the lungs that connect bronchi to the alveoli
28
Canaliculi
Microscopic canals in ossified bone
29
Capillary
A small blood vessel that connects arterioles to venules
30
Carbohydrates
Sugar and starches composed of monosaccharides
31
Cardiovascular system
The system comprised of heart and blood vessels
32
Cartilage
Tough, elastic connective tissue found in parts of the body such as the ear and on ends of long bones
33
Catalyst
A substance that increases the rate of chemical reaction without undergoing permanent chemical change
34
Cation
A positively charged ion
35
Cause
An element that makes up something
36
Cell
The basic structural unit of an organism from which living things are created and at which level of life functions can take place
37
Cellular function
Process that include growth, metabolism, replication, protein synthesis, regulation and movement
38
Cervix
The passage that forms the lower part of the uterus
39
Chemical equation
Mathematic representation of a chemical reaction
40
Chemical properties
Characteristics of a material that present during a chemical reaction or chemical change
41
Chromatid
One of the two duplicates of a chromosome formed during the cell cycle
42
Chromosome
A structure made of condense DNA and histone proteins that contains genetic information
43
Chyme
The semifluid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach to the small intestine
44
Collagen
The primary structural protein of connective tissue that adds tensile strength to the matrix of bones
45
Complement
The group of proteins in blood serum and plasma that works with antibodies to destroy particular antigens
46
Compound
A substance made of two or more elements
47
Conclusion
An end judgement based on data
48
Condensation
The transition of gas to liquid
49
Constrict
To become narrower
50
Contraction
The process of leading to shortening or development of tension in a muscle
51
Control variable
Something kept constant during an experiment
52
Covalent bond
A chemical bond in which electrons pairs are shared between atoms
53
Critical point
The temperature at which the liquid and gas phase of a substance have the same density
54
Cystic fibrosis
A genetic disorder that affects the lungs and other organs, characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing up sputum, and lung infections
55
Data
A collection of information
56
Density
The amount of mass per volume
57
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Organic molecule with a double-helix structure that contains genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits
58
Deoxyribose sugar
The sugar portion of a deoxyribose nucleotide
59
Dependent variable
What is measured in an experiment as a possible effect after another variable is changed in that experiment. (Result of the experiment)
60
Deposition
The transition of a gas to a solid without passing through the liquid stage
61
Dermis
The middle layer of the skin
62
Diastole
The portion of the cardiac cycle in which the heart refills with blood
63
Diffusion
Passive movement of substances form areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration
64
Dihybrid cross
A cross between parents of heterozygous at two specific genes
65
Dilate
To become wider
66
Directional terminology
Words use to explain relationships of locations of anatomical elements (distal, posterior, medial, etc)
67
Dominant
An allele or trait that is always expressed if present
68
Effect
A result of a cause
69
Electron
A negatively charged atomic particle
70
Element
Pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
71
Empirical
Based on observation
72
Enzymatic digestion
The break down of food by enzymes for absorption
73
Enzyme
A protein produced by a living thing that acts as a catalyst
74
Epidermis
The outer layer of the skin
75
Estrogen
Female sex hormones
76
Evaporation
The transition of liquid to gas that happens with or without the substance acquiring enough thermal energy to reach its boiling point
77
Excretion
Elimination of metabolic waste from the body
78
Experiment
A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis
79
Fallopian tubes
Tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
80
Freezing
The transition of a liquid to a solid
81
Gallbladder
Organ that stores bile
82
Gas
A state of matter that does not have a definite volume or shape and is highly compressible
83
Gene
The unit of hereditary information; a sequence of nucleotides that occupies a fixed position on a chromosome
84
Genotype
The set of alleles that determine the trait being studied
85
Gland
An organ that secrets substances
86
Graduated cylinder
A narrow cylinder with measurement marks or gradations that is used to measure liquid volume
87
Group
A column of elements in the periodic table with common chemical properties
88
Gram
Metric unit of mass
89
Haversian canal
Channels in bone that contain blood vessels and nerves
90
Heart
The muscle that pumps blood throughout the body
91
Hemoglobin
The protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body
92
Hormone
A chemical messenger produced by a gland and transported by the bloodstream that regulates specific processes in the body
93
Hydrogen bond
A noncovalent bond resulting from the attractive interaction between an electronegative atom and a hydrogen atom bonded to another electronegative atom
94
Hypothesis
A prediction based on research that states a possible outcome of an experiment
95
Immunoglobulin
An antibody
96
Independent variable
An item or aspect of an item that is manipulated or changed in an experiment as a possible cause
97
Inheritance
Transmission of characteristics to offspring
98
Innate immune system
A collection of nonspecific barriers and cellular response that serve as an inborn first and second line of defense against pathogens
99
Integumentary system
An organ system comprised of skin and its associated organs
100
Involuntary
Without intentional control
101
Ion
A positively or negatively charged atom or molecule
102
Ionic bond
The bond between two oppositely charged ions
103
Kidneys
The pair of organs that regulate fluid balance and filter waste from the blood
104
Large intestine
Also known as the colon, where vitamins and water are absorbed before feces are stored for elimination
105
Length
Measurement of distance from end to end
106
Leukocyte
White blood cells that protect the body agains disease
107
Lining cells
Flattened bone cells that come from osteoblast
108
Lipids
Fats, phospholipids, and steroids made with a high ratio of carbon to hydrogen
109
Liquid
A state of matter that has definite volume but not definite shape
110
Liter
Metric unit of liquid volume
111
Liver
Organ that produces bile, regulates glycogen storage, and preforms other bodily functions
112
Long bones
Long hollow shafts containing yellow bone marrow; the ends are made of spongy bone that contains red bone marrow
113
Lymph
Clear fluid that moves throughout the lymphatic system to fight disease
114
Lymphocyte
A subtype of white blood cell that ingests foreign material
115
Macromolecules
Large biological molecules that are classified as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, or nucleic acids
116
Macrophage
A large white blood cell that ingests foreign material
117
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
118
Melting point
The temperature at which solid changes to liquid
119
Memory cell
A lymphocyte that respond to an antigen upon reintroduction
120
Mendelian inheritance
Inheritance if traits that follow Gregor Mendel’s two laws and the principle of dominance
121
Metal
A substance that is a good conductor of electricity and heat, forms cations by loss of electrons, and yields basic oxides and hydroxides
122
Meter
Metric unit of length
123
Monohybrid cross
A cross between two organisms with homozygous genotypes for a trait
124
Monomers
Molecules that can bond to similar or identical molecules to form a polymer
125
Mouth
The oral cavity at the entry to the alimentary canal.
126
Muscle
Fibrous tissue that produces force and motion to move the body or produce movement in parts of the body
127
Nephron
The functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtering and reabsorbing various molecules
128
Nerve
A bundle of nerve fibers that transmits electrical impulse toward and away from the brain and spinal cord
129
Neutron
An atomic particle with no electric charge
130
Non-Mendelian inheritance
Inheritance of traits that do not follow Mendelian patterns of inheritance
131
Non-metal
Any element or substance that is not a metal
132
Nonpolar
A type of covalent bond in which two atoms share electrons at equal distances from their atomic nuclei
133
Nucleic acids
Long molecules made of nucleotides, DNA and RNA
134
Nucleotide
The monomer of DNA and RNA
135
Nucleus
A large organelle within a cell that houses the chromosomes
136
Orbital
An area around the nucleus where an electron can be found
137
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
138
Organelle
A specialized part of a cell that has a specific function such as producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
139
Organic molecule
A molecule found in a living thing that contains carbon
140
Osmosis
Passage of fluid through a membrane
141
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage at joints is damaged from injury or by age
142
Osteoblast
Cells that make bone
143
Osteoclasts
Cells that break down the matrix to release minerals
144
Osteocytes
Mature bone cells
145
Osteons
Cylindrical structure that compact bone
146
Osteoporosis
A disease that causes brittle, fragile bones
147
Ovary
Organ in which eggs are produced for reproduction
148
Pancreas
The gland of the digestive and endocrine systems that produces insulin and secretes pancreatic juices
149
Parathyroid
An endocrine gland in the neck that produces parathyroid hormone
150
Penis
Organ for elimination of urine and sperm from the male body
151
Perfusion
The passage of fluid to an organ or a tissue
152
Period
One of seven horizontal rows in the periodic tables
153
Periodic table
The table of elements expressed as columns and rows
154
Peristalsis
A series of muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract
155
PH
The measure of acidity or alkalinity
156
Phagocytosis
Ingestion of particles by a cell or phagocyte
157
Phase diagram
A graph of physical states of substance under varying temperature and pressure
158
Phosphate group
A phosphorus atom bound to four oxygen atoms
159
Phenotype
Physical appearance of a trait which is the expression of the genotype at both molecular and organism level
160
Physical properties
Observable properties of matter
161
Pineal gland
A small gland near the center of the brain that secrets melatonin
162
Pituitary
The endocrine gland at the base of the brain that controls growth and development
163
Plasma cell
A white blood cell that produces a single type of antibody
164
Plasma
The pale yellow component of blood that carries red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets throughout the body
165
Pleura
A membrane around the lungs and inside the chest cavity
166
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
167
Polymer
A substance composed many similar units bonded together
168
Prostate
The gland in males that controls the release of urine and secretes a part of semen that enhances motility and fertility of sperm
169
Proteins
Molecules composed of amino acids joined by peptide bonds
170
Proton
A positively charged atomic particle
171
Recessive
Refers to traits that are masked if dominant alleles are also present; also refers to the allele for that trait (ex: pp)
172
Rectum
The last section of the large intestine, ending with the anus
173
Reference planes
Invisible planes dividing the body to describe locations: sagittal, coronal, transverse
174
Reflex
An involuntary action to a stimulus
175
Relaxation
Release of tension in a muscle
176
Renal arteries
The two branches of the abdominal aorta that supply the kidneys with oxygenated blood
177
Renal cortex
The outer layer of the kidney
178
Renal medulla
The innermost layer of the kidney
179
Renal pelvis
The center of the kidney where urine collects before moving to the ureter
180
Renal vein
A vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the kidneys to the inferior vena cava
181
Renin
An enzyme released by the kidney when reduced blood pressure is detected by baroreceptors in aorta and carotid arteries
182
Rheumatoid arthritis
A progressive autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and pain
183
Saliva
The clear liquid found in the mouth, also known as spit
184
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
185
Scrotum
The pouch of skin that contains the testicles
186
Sequencing
Organization of cause-and-effect relationships
187
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
188
Skin
The thin layer of the tissue that covers the body
189
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
190
Solid
A state of matter that retains its shape and density when not contained
191
Stomach
The organ between the esophagus and small intestine in which major portion of digestion occurs
192
Subcutaneous
Under the dermis
193
Sublimation
The transition of a substance from solid to gas without passing through the liquid state
194
Surfactant
A fluid secreted by alveoli and found in the lungs that maintains surface tension
195
Sweat
Perspiration excreted by sweat glands through the skin
196
Synapse
The structure that allows neurons to pass signals to other neurons, muscles, or glads
197
Systole
The portion of the cardia cycle in which the heart expels blood
198
T cell
White blood cells that mature in the thymus and participate in the immune system
199
Testes (testicles)
The organs that produce sperm; also called “testes”
200
Testosterone
The hormone that stimulates male secondary sexual characteristics
201
Thymus
The lymph organ where T cells mature
202
Thyroid gland
The gland in the neck that secrets hormones that regulate growth, development, and metabolic rate
203
Tidal volume
The amount of air inhaled after a normal inspiration;
amount of air breathed in a normal inhalation or exhalation
204
Tissue
A group of cells with similar structure that function together as a unit but at a lower level than organs
205
Trachea
The windpipe, which connects the throat to the lungs
206
Triple point
The temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid, and vapor phases of a pure substances coexist
207
Urea
The nitrogenous wastes found in urine
208
Ureter
The duct that conducts urine from the kidney to the bladder
209
Urethra
The tube that connects the bladder to the exterior of the body
210
Urinary bladder
The structure that stores urine in the body until elimination
211
Urine
Liquid waste matter excreted by the kidneys
212
Uterus
The whom
213
Vagina
The tube that connects the external genitals to the cervix
214
Valence electrons
An electron in an outer orbital that can form bonds with other atoms
215
Variable
An item or aspect of an item that changes
216
Vas deferens
The duct in which sperm moves from a testicle to the urethra
217
Vein
Blood vessels that carry blood to the heart
218
Ventilation
The movement of air in and out of the body via inhalation and exhalation
219
Volume
The amount of space taken up by an object
220
Volumetric pipette
A device used for precise measurement of small amounts of liquid
221
Voluntary
With intentional control
