| Term | Definition |
|---|
| cell | the basic unit of life |
| cell membrane | the outer covering of a cell that regulates what enters it and leaves it |
| cytoplasm | surrounds the nucleus, and contains within-cell fluid and organelles |
| nucleus | oval structure that acts as brain center of the cell to direct and control all activities including duplication into two new cells |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| RNA | ribonucleic acid |
| chromosomes | comprised of DNA, these rod shaped structures / cells pass on the traits of parent cells to new cells, parent to child. |
| tissue | a group of similar cells that perform a specialized function |
| organ | a part of the body containing two or more tissues that function together for a specific purpose |
| system | a group of organs that work together to carry out a specific activity |
| tendons | a cord of fibrous tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone |
| ligaments | a band of connective tissue that connects a bone to another bone |
| cartilage | a type of connective tissue |
| ossification | the process by which cartilage is replaced by bone |
| joint | any place where two bones meet |
| fascia | a band or sheet of fibrous connective tissue |
| central nervous system (CNS) | the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and the spinal cord |
| peripheral nervous system | all nerve tissue outside the central nervous system |
| brain | the main control unit of the central nervous system |
| cerebrum | the largest part of the brain, it controls mental activities and movement |
| cerebellum | the second largest part of the brain, it controls muscle coordination, body balance and posture |
| brain stem | this controls many automatic body functions such as heart beat and breathing |
| hormones | chemical messengers that travel through the blood and act on target organs |
| metabolism | the total chemical changes by which the nutritional and functional activities of an organism are maintained |
| insulin | a hormone that reduces the level of sugar in the blood |
| glucagon | a hormone that can increase the blood sugar level |
| sperm | the male sex cell |
| ovum | the female sex cell |
| testes | the male reproductive gland that forms and secretes sperm and several fluid elements in semen |
| scrotum | sac in which testes are suspended |
| epididymus | a tube that carries sperm cells from the testes to the vas deferens |
| vas deferens | a duct that transfers sperm from the epididymus to the seminal vesicle |
| seminal vesicle | a gland that produces semen |
| ejaculatory duct | a duct formed by the joining of the seminal vesicles with the vas deferens, through which semen moves during ejaculation |
| semen | mixture of sperm cells and secretions from several male reproductive glands |
| urethra | a tube that discharges urine and semen |
| penis | male organ of urination and intercourse |
| prostate gland | produces a fluid element in semen that stimulates the motility of sperm |
| vagina | the muscular canal in a female that extends from an external opening to the neck of the uterus |
| uterus | a female organ within which the fetus develops during pregnancy |
| endometrium | lining of the uterus |
| fallopian tubes | slender tubes that convey the ova (eggs) from the ovaries to the uterus |
| fimbriae | finger-like projections extending from the fallopian tubes that draw ova (eggs) into the fallopian tube |
| ovaries | female reproductive glands |
| kidneys | organs that remove excess water and waste substances from the blood in a process that yields urine |
| ureters | tube-like structures extending from the kidneys to the urinary bladder that move urine between these organs |
| urinary bladder | the reservoir for urine |
| liver | an organ that filters the blood to remove amino acids and neutralize some harmful toxins |
| skin | this organ contains sweat glands that, through the process of perspiration, produces and eliminates sweat |
| nose | nasal cavity |
| mouth | the opening through which air, food and beverages enter the body, the beginning of the alimentary canal |
| pharynx | throat |
| esophagus | tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach |
| larynx | voice box |
| trachea | windpipe |
| bronchi | tube that extends from the trachea |
| lungs | the two organs of respiration |
| alimentary canal | the pathway that food takes through the digestive system; also called the digestive tract |
| stomach | a pouch that serves as a reservoir for food that has been consumed |
| small intestines | the organ in the digestive system where the greatest amount of digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body occurs |
| large intestine (colon) | the digestive organ that dehydrates digestive residues (feces) |
| rectum | the last several inches of the large intestine |
| anus | the lower opening of the alimentary canal |
| blood | a type of connective tissue fluid that transports many substances throughout the circulatory system |
| arteries | vessels that carry blood away from the heart |
| veins | vessels that carry blood back to the heart |
| capillaries | vessels that serve as connections between veins and arteries |
| heart | the muscular organ that pumps blood through out the body |
| atria | the two upper chambers of the heart |
| ventricles | the two lower chambers of the heart |
| aorta | the largest blood vessel in the body |
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