Topic 1 - Cells, Tissues, Organs & Systems Flashcards
The early stages of growth: from conception to the eighth week of pregnancy.
Embryo
In human development, the term used for two months after conception to birth.
Fetus
A fertilized egg
Zygote
The basic structural and functional units of the body
Cell
The suffix that means “cell”
-cyte
A group of similar cells
Tissue(s)
A complex structure consisting of several tissue types
Organ(s)
A group of organs that share a common purpose
System(s)
The tendency of a living organism to keep the conditions inside it (the internal environment) similar, despite any changes in the conditions around it
Homeostasis
A prefix that means “similar to”
Homeo-
The system of glands, each of which secretes different types of hormones
Endocrine
A substance released from glands into the bloodstream where they travel to target tissue and generate a response
Hormone(s)
A small, pea shaped gland in the brain that produces and regulates some hormones, including melatonin
Pineal gland
A hormone best known for the role it plays in circadian rhythms, including sleep patterns
Melatonin
Also known as “daily cycles”, including sleep patterns
Latin for “around day”
Circadian rhythms
One of the four basic types of tissues. An avascular tissue that provides a covering for most of the external surfaces of the body
Epithelium/Epithelial
Prefix meaning above, on, over, nearby, upon, outer
Epi-
Without blood vessels
Avascular
One of the four basic types of tissues. Tissue that brings about movement in various parts of the body.
Muscle tissue
When tissue shortens to bring about movement in various parts of the body
Contract (verb)
Another term for a muscle cell, due to it being long and thin
Muscle fibre
Aka nerve cell
Cells that conduct electrical signals
Neuron
Cells that support neurons
Latin for glue
Glia
One of the four basic types of tissues. A tissue that is made up of neurons and glia.
Nervous tissue
Aka electrical signals
Action potential(s)
One of the four basic types of tissues. A large category of tissues that includes bone, cartilage and blood.
Distinguishing feature: a large amount of nonliving intercellular (extra cellular) substances
Connective tissue
Non-living intercellular substances, I.e. extra cellular substances
Matrix
