Physiology Vocabulary 1

Physiology

study of the function of living things

Cell

basic unit of structure and function in living things

Unicellular

having or consisting of a single cell

Multi-Cellular

consisting of many cells

Zygote

the fertilized egg

Nerve Cell

a cell that is specialized to conduct nerve impulses..ability to receive and transmit info.

Muscle Cell

generate mechanical forces

Connective Tissue Cell

cell specialized to form extracellular elements that connect, anchor, and support body structures

Epithelial Cell

Skin cell..line and cover things/ also secrete materials.

Tissue

group of similar cells that perform a particular function

Organ

a collection of tissues that carry out a specialized function of the body

Organ Systems

a group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions

Metabolism

how to utilize energy or transform it. you must acquire it first!

Anabolism

building up of things

Catabolism

Breaking things down

Nucleic Acids

DNA & RNA

Carbohydrates

the starches and sugars present in foods

Proteins

made up of amino acids..all living things make proteins

Lipids

fats and oils

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment..everything our bodies do is to maintain this

Extra-Cellular Fluid

liquid containing proteins and electrolytes including the liquid in blood plasma(20%) and interstitial fluid(80%)

Intercellular Fluid

same as extracellular fluid

What do all living things have in common?

Organization(our bodies)..Metabolic activity(energy)..Reproduction grow and develop..Adaptability..Composition(DNA RNA)

What is the name for the high energy chemical that our bodies use for energy?

ATP(Adenosine Triphoshate)

Name a few things in our bodies that remain constant...

rate of breathing for oxygen levels...heart rate...temperature...water...waste(CO2)(feces)...hormones...glucose/all nutrients...electrolytes...PH...blood pressure

Vasodilation

blood vessels get bigger at surface and allows for the dissipation of heat(reason we look flush on skin)

Vasoconstriction

blood vessels constrict and redirects blood into body core to maintain heat

Paracrines

Local chemical message that acts on neighboring cells

Autocrines

Local chemical message that acts on the same cell that created them