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Test 1
N/A
27
Physiology
Undergraduate 3
02/01/2009

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Cards

Term
physiology
Definition
the science of body function
Term
Cell
Definition
smallest living unit
Term
Neuron
Definition
nerve cell specialized to transmit information in the form of electrical signals
Term
Muscle fibers/cells
Definition
specialized to contract, thereby generating mechanical force and movement
Term
Epithelia
Definition
continuous, sheetlike layer of noncellular material
Term
basement membrane
Definition
noncellular material
Term
lumen
Definition
interior cavity from the surrounding body fluids
Term
glands
Definition
organs specialized in the synthesis and secretion of a product
Term
exocrine glands
Definition
secrete a product into a duct leading to the external environment
Term
endocrine glands
Definition
secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Term
hormones
Definition
chemicals that communicate a message to cells of the body
Term
connective tissue cells
Definition
any structure whos primary function is to provide physical support for other structures, to anchor them in place, or to link them together
Term
tendons
Definition
anchor muscles to bones
Term
ligaments
Definition
connect bones together
Term
extracellular matrix
Definition
contains a dense meshwork of proteins and other large molecules
Term
elastin
Definition
long, fibrous proteins which give the tissue elasticity
Term
collagen
Definition
give the tissue tensile strength, the ability to resist stretching
Term
tissue
Definition
any collection of cells performing similar functions
Term
organs
Definition
when two or more tissues combine to make up structures that perform particular functions
Term
organ systems
Definition
collections of organs that work together to perform certain functions
Term
cardiovascular system
Definition
delivers blood to all the body's tissues
Term
gastrointestinal system
Definition
breaks down food into smaller molecules and the transports these molecules into the bloodstream
Term
endocrine system
Definition
encompasses all the glands in the body that secrete hormones
Term
immune system
Definition
protects the body from invading microorganisms and other foreign materials
Term
internal environment
Definition
the fluid constituting the immediate environment of most of the body's cells
Term
absorption
Definition
when the water, inorganic salts, and nutrients obtained from digested food are transported from the lumen to the bloodstream
Term
secretion
Definition
to aid in the digestion of food, the stomach uses materials from the blood to produce acids and proteins that are then transported into the lumen
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