Glossary
- anatomical position
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(Human Body) Standing upright, toes forward, upper limbs held at the sides with palms facing forward.
- anatomy
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The study of structure of living things. Anatomy includes composition (what its made of--molecules, cells, tissues, etc.) and location in the body.
- atom
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The smallest unit of an element that can enter into a chemical reaction.
- cell
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The smallest unit of life.
- control center
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Compares incoming sensory information to a set-point and determines if a response is necessary.
- effector
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A muscle or gland that carries out a response. A muscle will contract and a gland will secrete.
- Gross anatomy
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Study of anatomy that can be seen with the naked eye (macroscopic).
- histology
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The study of cells and tissues (microscopic).
- Homeostasis
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Describes how a cell or organism can sense and respond to its environment in order to maintain a stable internal state.
- molecule
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Two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
- organ
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Two or more tissues that work together to perform a specific function(s).
- organ system
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Two or more organs that work together to perform a specific function(s).
- organism
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An entire living being.
- physiology
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The study of the function of living things, it includes chemical reactions that carry out the functions.
- Positive feedback
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Feedback mechanism that works to increase the stimulus.
- receptor
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Specialized cell that monitors a change in a stimulus.
- set point
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Physiological value around which the normal range fluctuates.
- tissue
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A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function(s).