Shared Flashcard Set

Details

A&P
A&P
81
Nursing
Professional
10/21/2013

Additional Nursing Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
anatomy:
Definition
the science of the structure of living organisms
Term
physiology:
Definition
the science of the functioning of living organisms
Term
atom:
Definition
the smallest part of an element; indivisible by ordinary chemical means
Term
cell:
Definition
the basic biological unit of living organisms, containing a nucleus and a variety of organelles enclosed by a limiting membrane
Term
molecule:
Definition
particle consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds
Term
tissues:
Definition
a group of similar cells specialized to perform a specific function; primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues
Term
organ:
Definition
a part of the body formed of two or more tissues that performs a specialized function
Term
organ system:
Definition
a group of organs that work together to perform a vital body function; e.g., nervous system
Term
organism:
Definition
an individual living thing
Term
homeostasis:
Definition
a state of body equilibrium or stable internal environment of the body
Term
effector:
Definition
an organ, gland, or muscle capable of being activated by nerve endings
Term
negative feedback:
Definition
a corrective mechanism that opposes or negates a variation from normal limits
Term
ventral:
Definition
anterior or front
Term
posterior:
Definition
toward the back; dorsal
Term
positive feedback:
Definition
feedback that tends to cause a variable to change in the same direction as the initial change; enhances the stimulus
Term
inferior:
Definition
below, in reference to a particular structure, with the body in the anatomical position
Term
distal:
Definition
farthest from the point of attachment of a limb or origin of a structure
Term
cephalic:
Definition
pertaining to the head
Term
metabolism:
Definition
the sum total of the chemical reactions that occur in the body
Term
receptor:
Definition
some type of sensor that monitors and responds to changes in the environment
Term
element:
Definition
any of the building blocks of matter; oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, for example
Term
compound:
Definition
substance composed of two or more different elements, the atoms of which are chemically united
Term
ion:
Definition
an atom with a positive or negative electric charge
Term
salt:
Definition
ionic compound that dissociates into charged particles (other than hydrogen or hydroxyl ions) when dissolved in water
Term
catalyst:
Definition
a substance that accelerates a specific chemical reaction but that is not altered by the reaction
Term
inorganic compound:
Definition
a compound that lack carbon; for example, water
Term
organic compound:
Definition
a compound containing carbon; examples include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
Term
solution:
Definition
a homogenous mixture of two or more components
Term
proton:
Definition
subatomic particle that bears a positive charge; located in the atomic nucleus
Term
polar molecules:
Definition
nonsymmetrical molecules that contain electrically unbalanced atoms
Term
pH:
Definition
the symbol for hydrogen ion concentration; a measure of the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution
Term
neutron:
Definition
a fundamental particle that does not carry a positive or a negative charge
Term
neutralization:
Definition
(1) a chemical reaction that occurs between an acid and a base; (2) blockage of the harmful effects of bacterial exotoxins or viruses by the binding of antibodies to their functional sites
Term
ionization:
Definition
dissociation; the breakdown of a molecule in solution to form ions
Term
matter:
Definition
anything that occupies space and has mass
Term
enzyme:
Definition
a substance formed by living cells that acts as a catalyst in bodily chemical reactions
Term
hydrogen bond:
Definition
weak bond in which a hydrogen atom forms a bridge between two electron-hungry atoms; an important intramo-lecular bond
Term
base:
Definition
a substance that accepts hydrogen ions; proton acceptor; compare with acid
Term
acid:
Definition
a substance that liberates hydrogen ions when in an aqueous solution; compare with base
Term
electrolyte:
Definition
a substance that breaks down into ions when in solution and is capable of conducting an electric current
Term
isotope:
Definition
these vary in the number of neutrons they contain and they are different atomic form of the same element
Term
diffusion:
Definition
the spreading of particles in a gas or solution with a movement toward uniform distribution of particles
Term
osmosis:
Definition
the diffusion of a solvent through a membrane from a dilute solution into a more concentrated one
Term
facilitated diffusion:
Definition
the passive movement of a substance across a cell membrane by means of a protein carrier
Term
gland:
Definition
an organ specialized to secrete or excrete substances for further use in the body for elimination
Term
active transport:
Definition
net movement of a substance across a membrane against a concentration or electrical gradient; requires release and use of cellular energy
Term
chromosome:
Definition
dense structure, composed of tightly coiled DNA strands and associated histones, that become visible in the nucleus when a cell prepares to undergo mitosis or meiosis; normal human somatic cells contain 46 chromosomes a piece
Term
concentration gradient:
Definition
regional differences in the concentration of a particular substance
Term
electrolyte:
Definition
a substance that breaks down into ions when in solution and is capable of conducting an electric current
Term
deoxyribonucleic acid:
Definition
DNA; a nucleic acid consisting of a chain of nucleotides that contain the sugar deoxyribose and the nitrogenous bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine
Term
cytoplasm:
Definition
the substance of a cell other than that of the nucleus
Term
hypertonic:
Definition
excessive, above normal, tone or tension
Term
hypotonic:
Definition
below normal tone or tension
Term
isotonic:
Definition
having a uniform tension; of the same tone
Term
membrane:
Definition
any sheet or partition; a layer consisting of an epithelium and the underlying connective tissue
Term
mitosis:
Definition
the division of the cell nucleus; often followed by division of the cytoplasm of a cell
Term
organelles:
Definition
specialized structures in a cell that perform specific metabolic functions
Term
tissues:
Definition
a group of similar cells specialized to perform a specific function; primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues
Term
integumentary:
Definition
the skin and its accessory organs
Term
dermis:
Definition
the deep layer of the skin; composed of dense, irregular connective tissue
Term
cutaneous:
Definition
pertaining to the skin
Term
appendicular skeleton:
Definition
bones of the limbs and limb girdles that are attached to the axial skeleton
Term
ossification:
Definition
the formation of bone
Term
calcification:
Definition
the deposition of calcium salts within a tissue
Term
tendon:
Definition
cord of dense fibrous tissue attaching a muscle to a bone
Term
articulation:
Definition
joint; point where two bones meet
Term
axial skeleton:
Definition
the bones of the skull, vertebral column, thorax, and sternum
Term
bursa:
Definition
a small sac filled with fluid and located at friction points, especially joints
Term
compact bone:
Definition
dense bone that contains parallel osteons
Term
congenital:
Definition
existing at birth
Term
diaphysis:
Definition
the shaft of a bone
Term
epiphysis:
Definition
the end of a long bone
Term
gross anatomy:
Definition
the study of the structural features of the body without the aid of a microscope
Term
interstitial growth:
Definition
a form of cartilage growth through the growth, mitosis, and secretion of chondrocytes in the matrix
Term
osteocyte:
Definition
a bone cell responsible for the maintenance and turnover of the mineral content of the surrounding bone
Term
osteon:
Definition
a system of interconnecting canals in the microscopic structure of adult compact bone; unit of bone
Term
pelvic girdle:
Definition
incomplete bony basin formed by the two coxal bones that secures the lower limbs to the sacrum of the axial skeleton
Term
suture:
Definition
immovable fibrous joint that connects the bones of the adult skull
Term
synovial fluid:
Definition
a fluid secreted by the synovial membrane; lubricates joint surfaces and nourishes articular cartilages
Term
thorax:
Definition
that portion of the body trunk above the diaphragm and below the neck
Term
ligament:
Definition
a cord of fibrous tissue that connects bones
Supporting users have an ad free experience!