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Study Guide Glossary Flashcards

1
Q

Abortion

A

Termination of a pregnancy. A spontaneous abortion is called a miscarriage. An artificial abortion is one that is induced.

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2
Q

Absorption

A

The intake of substances by cells.

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3
Q

Acquired Immune Deficiency Disease (AIDS)

A

The disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency virus

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4
Q

Activation Energy

A

The energy needed for a chemical reaction to begin. Enzymes (organic catalysts) lower the activation energy.

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5
Q

Active Site

A

The part of an enzyme into which the substrate fits.

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6
Q

Active Transport

A

The movement of a substance (e.g. glucose) across a cell membrane from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration. This process requires energy.

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7
Q

Adaptation

A

A trait which assists an organism to survive and reproduce in its particular environment.

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8
Q

Adult Stem Cell

A

These cells are sometimes called somatic stem cells. They are cells found throughout the body, after embryonic development, which are undifferentiated. They replace dead cells and are used in repairing tissue. They are generally regarded as multipotent.

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9
Q

Aerobic Respiration

A

The chemical breakdown of organic matter (usually glucose) in cells using oxygen to release energy.

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10
Q

Afterbirth

A

The placenta, fluid and blood which is expelled from the uterus in the third stage of parturition.

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11
Q

Agglutination

A

The clumping together of cells in an antigen- antibody reaction.

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12
Q

Agonist

A

A muscle which causes movement.

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13
Q

Alimentary Canal

A

A tube beginning at the mouth and terminating at the anus. Also called gastrointestinal tract or digestive tract.

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14
Q

Alveolus

A

A microscopic air sac in lungs.

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15
Q

Allele

A

Alternative form of a gene which occurs at a particular locus on homologous chromosomes.

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16
Q

Amino Acid

A

An organic acid (containing nitrogen) which is the basic building block of proteins.

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17
Q

Amnion

A

A membrane which surrounds the developing embryo and foetus and contains amniotic fluid.

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18
Q

Amniocentesis

A

A medical procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is removed from the amniotic sac of a pregnant women. Foetal cells are collected from this fluid, cultures and examined to determine possible genetic disorders and the sex of the foetus.

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19
Q

Amniotic Fluid

A

The fluid inside the amniotic sac which protects the embyro and later the foetus. Sometimes referred to as the “waters”.

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20
Q

Anabolic Steroid

A

A synthetic form of testosterone used to increase protein storage, muscle size, and strength. Must be prescribed as its use can be very harmful.

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21
Q

Anabolism

A

The production of more complex molecules from simpler ones. Anabolism may be called ‘synthesis’ and it requires energy input (cf.catabolism).

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22
Q

Anaphase

A

A stage in both mitosis and meiosis in which the chromatids or chromosomes move from the equator of the cell to the opposite poles of the cell.

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23
Q

Anaerobic Respiration

A

The chemical breakdown of organic matter (usually glucose) in cells on the absence of oxygen to release energy.

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24
Q

Anal Sphincter

A

Circular muscle in the anus which prevents faeces from leaving the body.

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25
Anatomy
The branch of biology and medicine which involves the study of bodily structure.
26
Antagonist
Term used to describe the opposite action of some muscles, e.g. biceps and triceps are antagonists.
27
Anthropology
The study of human societies, culture and evolution.
28
Antibody
A protein (immunoglobulin) produced by lymphocytes in response to the presence of an antigen. It is released into the bloodstream.
29
Antigen
A foreign substance, often a protein, which is not produced by the body. Its presence stimulates the production of antibodies.
30
Anus
The opening of the rectum from which faeces is expelled.
31
Arteriole
A small artery.
32
Arteriosclerosis
A hardening of large and medium sized arteries (atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis).
33
Artery
Vessel that carries blood away from the heart.
34
Artificial Insemination (AI)
Medical procedure in which sperm are placed into the uterus or cervix generally using a small plastic tube, in order to artificially create a pregnancy.
35
Asthma
A narrowing of the bronchioles which results in difficulty breathing. Muscles in the bronchioles contract involuntarily due to allergies- foreign substances that are inhaled or ingested.
36
Atherosclerosis
Condition in which fatty substances (plaque) builds up on the lining of the arteries. The plaque thickens, hardens and may eventually block the lumen of the artery, limiting or preventing blood flow through it. Inflammation of the artery also occurs.
37
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
An important source of energy in many cells. It releases energy when it breaks down to ADP and P (Adenosine diphosphate and inorganic phosphate).
38
Atrioventricular Valve
Valve which prevents blood flow from a ventricle back into an atrium (e.g. bicuspid and tricuspid valves).
39
Autosome
A chrome in which is not a sex chromosome.
40
Bacteria (singular bacterium)
Microscopic organisms which have no membrane bounded organelles. Bacteria are therefore called prokaryotes. Most bacteria are useful, many however are pathogens.
41
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The rate of metabolism under resting condition.
42
Benign
Not malignant. Often used to refer to a tumour which is enclosed within a membrane and therefore unable to spread in the body.
43
Bile
A fluid secreted by the liver containing the pigments and salts produced as breakdown products of haemoglobin from used erythrocytes.
44
Biopsy
A removal of a small piece of tissue for medical examination, often to culture and diagnose disease.
45
Blastocyst
A hollow fluid-filled ball of cells which embeds into the endometrium and develops into the embryo.
46
Blood Clotting
The formation of a gelatinous mass to prevent the escape of blood from an injury.
47
Blood Clotting Factors
About 12 different proteins which together with with calcium ions (Ca++), circulate in the blood and bring about a blood clot when a blood vessel is damaged or severed e.g. fibrinogen.
48
Blood Pressure
The force per unit area of the blood against the inner walls of the arteries and veins.
49
Bolus
A rounded mass of food that swallowed.
50
Bone
Connective tissue which is dense, light and very strong. It has a number of functions including body support, providing framework for muscle attachment, manufacture of blood cells, storage of minerals and fats.
51
Bronchiole
A branch of bronchus which has no cartilage and carries air into the alveoli.
52
Bronchitis
An inflammation of the bronchus.
53
Bronchus
Branch of trachea which is reinforced and prevented from collapsing by cartilage.
54
Bulbo-urethral (Cowper's) glands
Two small glands which contribute alkaline fluid and mucus to semen. These are emptied into the urethra and assist in lubricating the vagina and neutralising the acidity of the vagina.
55
Caecum
The first part of the large intestine.
56
Cancellous Bone
Spongy less dense bone which is made up of many spaces often filled with red bone marrow and trabeculae (small needle-like rods of bone)
57
Capillary
A very thin-walled blood vessel which connects arteries to veins.
58
Carbaminohaemoglobin
Compound formed when carbon dioxide combines with haemoglobin in the red blood cells.
59
Carbohydrate
An organic compound containg C, H and O with the general formula (CH2O)n.
60
Carcinogen
A substance which causes cancer.
61
Carcinoma
Epithelial cells which have become canerous.
62
Cardiac Arrest
The situation in which the heart stops beating.
63
Cardiac Cycle
The changes which the heart undergoes during one heart beat. It consists of systole and diastole of both atria plus systole and diastole of both ventricles.
64
Cardiac Muscle
Involuntary muscle tissue which is striated, has cross connections and forms the walls of the heart in the atria and ventricles.
65
Cardiac Output
The volume of blood pumped from one ventricle of the heart in one minute.
66
Cardiovascular Disease
Any disease of the heart or circulatory system e.g. atherosclerosis.
67
Cartilage
A tough flexible tissue which makes up part of the skeletal system.
68
Catabolism
The chemical breakdown of complex molecules into simpler substances. This Type of process gives out energy (cf. anabolism).
69
Catalyst
A chemical which speeds up chemical reactions, but which is itself not used up (e.g. enzyme).
70
Cell
The basic 'building block' of living things (except viruses). Consists of membrane-bounded protoplasm.
71
Cell Differentiation
The development of specialised cells in multicellular organisms from unspecialised cells in the early stages of the organism's growth.
72
Cell/Plasma Membrane
The protective layer of lipids and proteins which encloses a cell's protoplasm.
73
Cellular Respiration
Breakdown of organic matter (usually glucose) in cells to release energy.
74
Centrioles
Two small cylindrical organelles which lie just outside the nucleus. They form spindles during cell division.
75
Cervical Dilation
The widening of the cervical opening into the uterus which takes place during the first stage of birth;due to uterine muscular contractions.
76
Cervix
The lower neck of the uterus.
77

Human Biology (9 decks)

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