Biological and Anatomical Terms Quiz

Biological and Anatomical Terms

Band: A structure or group of cells/proteins in a specific location
Sesamoid Bone: Small, round bones embedded within tendons, protecting them from stress (e.g., patella)
Acids vs Bases: Acids release hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, bases accept them
Actin Filaments: Thin protein filaments involved in muscle contraction, part of the cytoskeleton
Active Transport: Movement of molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP)
Adipose Tissue: Connective tissue composed of fat cells (adipocytes), storing energy and cushioning organs
Anaphase: Stage of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell
Anatomical Position: Standard body position for anatomical description: standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward
Anterior: Towards the front of the body
Anticodon: A sequence of three nucleotides on tRNA that is complementary to a codon on mRNA
Apocrine Glands: Sweat glands that release secretions that contain proteins and lipids
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death
Aquaporins: Channel proteins that facilitate the rapid movement of water across membranes
Arrector Pili: Muscles attached to hair follicles, causing hair to stand on end
Articular Cartilage: Smooth, resilient tissue covering the ends of bones at joints, reducing friction
Atomic Number: The number of protons in an atom's nucleus
ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): Energy currency of the cell
Basale: Layer of cells at the base of the epidermis (skin)
Bone Formation: Process of creating bone tissue (osteogenesis)
Bursa: Fluid-filled sac that reduces friction between tissues, typically around joints
Carbon: Essential element for all known life, forming the backbone of organic molecules
Catalytic Proteins (Enzymes): Proteins that speed up chemical reactions
Cell: Basic unit of life
Cell Cycle: Series of events that a cell goes through as it grows and divides
Cell Division: Process of a cell duplicating its genetic information and splitting into two daughter cells
Cell Organelles: Specialized structures inside cells that perform specific functions
Ceruminous Glands: Modified sweat glands located in the ear canal that secrete earwax
Chondrocyte: Cartilage cell
Codon: Sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid
Compact Bone: Dense bone tissue
Complementary Base Pairing: Pairing of specific nitrogenous bases in DNA (A with T, C with G)
Corneum: Outermost layer of the epidermis
Cornified Keratinocyte: Keratinocyte cells filled with keratin in the outermost layer of the epidermis
Covalent Bonds: Chemical bonds formed by sharing electrons between atoms
Cuticle: Outer layer of skin
Cytokinesis: Division of the cytoplasm during cell division
Dehydration Reaction: Chemical reaction where a water molecule is removed
Dendritic Cells: Immune cells that present antigens
Dense Fibrous Connective Tissue: Connective tissue with densely packed collagen fibers
Deoxyribose Sugar: Sugar component of DNA
Dermal Ridges: Folds in the dermis which create fingerprints
Dermis: Layer of skin below the epidermis containing blood vessels and nerve endings
Diffusion: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration
Dipeptide: Two amino acids linked by a peptide bond
Distal: Away from the point of attachment or origin
DNA Replication: Process of copying DNA
DNA Structure: Double helix of nucleotides, forming genetic material
Double Stranded: Description of DNA molecule structure
Elastic Connective Tissue: Connective Tissue with elastic fibers providing stretching ability
Electrons: Negatively charged subatomic particles
Endochondral Ossification: Process where bone forms from cartilage models
Endocytosis: Process where cells engulf substances
Endomysium: Connective tissue surrounding individual muscle fibers
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Network of membranes within cells involved in protein and lipid synthesis
Epimysium: Connective tissue surrounding a muscle
Exocytosis: Process where cells release substances
Fascicle: Bundle of muscle fibers
Fibrocartilage: Cartilage with strong collagen fibers
Fibrous Capsule: Connective tissue surrounding a joint
First Degree Burn: Superficial burn affecting only the epidermis
Flaccid: Relaxed
Flagella: Tail-like structures used for movement
Flat Bones: Thin and broad bones (e.g., ribs) suitable for protection
Golgi Apparatus: Organelle involved in protein modification and sorting
Granulosum: Layer of the epidermis
Guanine: Nitrogenous base found in DNA and RNA
H Zone: Region of a sarcomere without actin filaments
Hair Follicle: Tube-like structure in the skin where hair grows
Haversian Canal: Channels in bone tissue containing blood vessels
Hematopoiesis: Blood cell formation
Hemolysis: Destruction of red blood cells
Histones: Proteins that DNA wraps around
Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment
Hyaline Cartilage: Strong and flexible cartilage, common in joints
Hydrogen Bond: Weak bond between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom
Hydrogen Ion Concentration: Measure of acidity in a solution
Hydroxyl Ion Concentration: Measure of alkalinity in a solution
Hypertonic: Solution with a higher solute concentration than another solution
Hypodermis: Layer of subcutaneous tissue below the dermis
Hyponychium: Thickened layer of stratum corneum under the nail
Hypotonic: Solution with a lower solute concentration than another solution
I Band: Region of a sarcomere containing only actin filaments
Input (Signal): Initial trigger for a process
Integral Protein: Protein embedded within a membrane
Integumentary System: Skin and its associated structures
Intermediate Filament: Part of the cytoskeleton
Interphase: Phase of the cell cycle where the cell grows and replicates its DNA
Intracellular Vesicular Trafficking: Movement of substances within a cell via vesicles
Ionic Bonds: Chemical bonds formed by the attraction of oppositely charged ions
Irregular Bones: Bones with complex shapes (e.g., vertebrae)
Isotonic: Solutions with same concentration
Joint (Synovial) Cavity: Space between bones in a synovial joint
Joint Capsule: Connective tissue surrounding a synovial joint
Keratin: Fibrous protein making up the outermost layer of skin
Keratinocytes: Cells in the epidermis producing keratin
Langerhans Cells: Antigen-presenting cells in the epidermis
Lateral: Towards the side of the body
Lucidum: Thin layer of the epidermis
Lunula: White, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail
M Line: Middle of the sarcomere
Making a Cartilage Model: Forming a cartilage template
Mass Number: Total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus
Medial: Towards the midline of the body
Medullary Cavity: Hollow space within long bones
Meiosis: Cell division producing gametes (sex cells)
Melanocytes: Pigment-producing cells in the skin
Merkel Disc: Sensory receptor in the skin
Merocrine Glands: Sweat glands that release secretions via exocytosis
Mesenchyme: Embryonic connective tissue
Messenger RNA (mRNA): RNA molecule that carries genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes
Metaphase: Stage of mitosis where chromosomes align in the middle of the cell
Microfilaments: Small protein filaments, part of the cytoskeleton
Microtubules: Larger protein filaments, part of the cytoskeleton
Microvilli: Finger-like projections on the surface of cells increasing surface area
Mitochondria: Powerhouses of the cell, producing ATP
Mitosis: Cell division producing identical daughter cells
Mitotic Spindle: Structure involved in the separation of chromosomes during mitosis
Molecular Chaperones: Proteins that assist in protein folding
Motor Proteins: Proteins that move molecules within the cell
mRNA: Messenger RNA
Muscle Cell (Myocyte): Cell of muscle tissue
Muscle Fiber: Single muscle cell
Myosin Filaments: Thick protein filaments involved in muscle contraction
Negative Feedback: Maintain homeostasis by reducing initial stimulus
Neutralization Reaction: Reaction between acid and base
Neutrons: Neutral subatomic particles in an atom's nucleus
Nitrogenous Bases: Bases of DNA and RNA (Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, Thymine/Uracil)
Nonpolar Covalent Bond: Covalent bond with equal sharing of electrons
Osmosis: Movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane
Osteoblast: Bone-forming cells
Osteoclast: Bone-resorbing cells
Osteocyte: Mature bone cell
Osteogenesis: Bone formation
Osteons: Cylindrical units in compact bone
Output (Response): Result of a process
Perimysium: Connective tissue surrounding fascicles of muscle fibers
Periosteum: Outer covering of a bone
Peripheral Protein: Protein on the surface of a membrane
pH: Measure of hydrogen ion concentration
Phagocytosis: Process of engulfing solid particles
Phosphate: Inorganic phosphate used in many cellular processes
Pinocytosis: Process of engulfing liquid substances
Polar Covalent Bond: Unequal sharing of electrons in a covalent bond
Positive Feedback: Amplifying an initial stimulus
Primary Cilia: Motile cilia
Prophase: First stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes
Protein Synthesis: Process of creating proteins from amino acids
Protons: Positively charged subatomic particles in an atom's nucleus
Proximal: Near the point of attachment or origin
Receptor: Molecule that binds to a hormone or other signal
Red Marrow: Bone marrow producing blood cells
Regulatory Proteins: Proteins that control cellular processes
Response: Reaction to a stimulus
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): RNA component of ribosomes
Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis
rRNA: Ribosomal RNA
Sebum: Oil secreted by sebaceous glands
Second Degree Burn: Burn involving epidermis and part of the dermis
Short Bones: Cube-shaped bones (e.g., carpals)
Single-Stranded: Description of RNA molecule structure
Skeletal Muscle Cell: Muscle cell responsible for movement
Sodium: Important ion in the body
Spinosum: Layer of the epidermis
Spongy Bone: Porous bone tissue
ssRNA: Single-stranded RNA
Stereocilia: Non-motile, hair-like structures
Stimulus: Initial trigger for a process
Structural Proteins: Proteins forming structural components
Sudoriferous Glands: Sweat glands
Synovial Joint: Freely movable joint
Synovial Membrane: Membrane lining the synovial cavity of a joint
Synthase Enzyme: Enzyme that synthesizes molecules
T Tubules: Invaginations of the sarcolemma allowing for signal transmission
Tactile Cells: Sensory cells in the epidermis
Telophase: Last stage of mitosis where two nuclei form
Terminal Hair: Long, thick hair on the scalp
Arrangement of Myofilaments: Organization of actin and myosin filaments in muscle cells
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum: Organelle in muscle cells storing Ca²⁺
Thick Filaments: Myosin filaments in muscle cells
Third Degree Burn: Full-thickness burn affecting all layers of the skin
Thymine: Nitrogenous base found in DNA
Trabeculae: Supporting structures in spongy bone
Transcription: Process of creating mRNA from DNA
Transfer RNA (tRNA):: RNA molecule that carries amino acids to ribosomes
Translation: Process of creating proteins from mRNA
Transmembrane Protein: Protein spanning a membrane
tRNA: Transfer RNA
Tubulins: Protein subunits of microtubules
Valence: Number of electrons needed to fill the outermost electron shell
Vesicular Transport: Movement of substances in vesicles
Yellow Marrow: Bone marrow primarily storing fat