Physiology Glossary

391 terms

Acclimatization: Adaptation to environmental conditions.
Accommodation: Eye focusing.
Acrosome Reaction: Sperm penetration of egg.
Actin Filament: Thin muscle filament.
Action Potential: Electrical signal in excitable cells.
Adrenal Hormones: Hormones secreted by adrenal gland.
Adrenergic Transmission: Noradrenaline-mediated nerve transmission.
Aerobic Capacity: Oxygen utilization capacity.
AGE: Advanced glycation end products.
Agility: Ability to change direction quickly.
Albumin: Main plasma protein.
Aldosterone: Hormone regulating sodium and potassium balance.
Allostasis: Adaptation mechanisms to stress.
Allostatic Load: Accumulation of chronic stress.
Altitude Adaptation: Adaptation to high altitude.
Anabolism: Constructive metabolism.
Anaerobic Capacity: Capacity to produce energy without oxygen.
Anaerobic Threshold: Point where lactic acid begins to accumulate.
Analgesia: Loss of pain sensation.
Appetite: Drive to eat.
Arterial Pressure: Blood pressure in arteries.
Articular Cartilage: Cartilage covering joint surface.
Association Area: Cortex region responsible for complex information processing.
Automaticity: Heart's ability to generate spontaneous impulses.
Autonomic Ganglion: Relay station in autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic Reflex: Involuntary reflex.
Autophagy: Breakdown of cellular structures.
Autoregulation: Local control of blood flow.
Baroreceptor: Blood pressure sensing receptor.
Basal Metabolism: Basic energy consumption.
Basic Taste: Five basic taste sensations.
Bathmotropy: Factor affecting heart excitability.
Bile: Digestive fluid secreted by liver.
Binocular Vision: Vision with two eyes.
Blood Flow: Amount of blood passing per unit time.
Blood Plasma: Liquid portion of blood.
Bone Density: Bone mineral content.
Bone Marrow: Site of blood cell production.
Bone Remodeling: Bone formation and breakdown.
Bronchial Tone: Basal tension of bronchial smooth muscles.
Bronchoconstriction: Narrowing of bronchi.
Bronchodilation: Widening of bronchi.
Calcitonin: Hormone lowering blood calcium level.
Calcitriol: Active form of vitamin D.
Calcium Homeostasis: Control of blood calcium level.
Capacitation: Sperm gaining fertilizing ability.
Capillary Permeability: Substance passage through capillary wall.
Carbon Dioxide Tension: Carbon dioxide pressure in blood.
Cardiac Cycle: Sequence of events during one heartbeat.
Cardiovascular Adaptation: Circulatory system adaptation to exercise.
Catabolism: Destructive metabolism.
Cell Cycle: Process of cell division.
Cellular Adaptation: Cell adaptation to environmental changes.
Cellular Immunity: T cell-mediated immunity.
Cellular Senescence: Decrease in cell functions.
Central Nervous System: Brain and spinal cord.
Cerebral Cortex: Brain cortex.
Chemical Synapse: Synapse transmitting signals through neurotransmitters.
Chemokine: Cytokine directing cell migration.
Chemoreceptor: Receptor perceiving chemical stimuli.
Cholinergic Transmission: Acetylcholine-mediated nerve transmission.
Chronic Oxidative Stress: Long-term free radical damage.
Chronotropy: Factor affecting heart rate.
Cicatrization: Wound healing process.
Circadian Rhythm: Approximately 24-hour biological cycle.
Climacterium: End of reproductive functions.
Coagulation: Blood clotting.
Colonic Motility: Movement ability of large intestine.
Color Vision: Perception of colors.
Colostrum: First milk after birth.
Compensation: Compensation for function loss.
Consciousness: State of awareness.
Contractility: Ability of heart muscle to contract. Basic property of myocardial fibers.
Coordination: Harmony of movements.
Corpus Luteum: Ovarian structure secreting progesterone.
Cortisol: Stress hormone.
Cotransport: Transport of two substances together.
Countercurrent Exchanger: Maintenance of medulla osmolarity.
Countercurrent Multiplier: Increase in medulla osmolarity.
Countercurrent System: Urine concentration mechanism.
Dead Space: Airways not participating in gas exchange.
Deamination: Removal of amino groups.
Decidua: Uterine mucosa during pregnancy.
Declarative Memory: Memory of facts and events.
Decompensation: Failure of compensation mechanisms.
Defecation: Elimination of digestive waste from body.
Depolarization: Shift of membrane potential to positive.
Desensitization: Loss of receptor response to stimulus.
Determination: Determination of cell fate.
Detoxification: Conversion of harmful substances to harmless form.
Developmental Plasticity: Environmental adaptation.
Diastole: Heart relaxation phase. Period when ventricles fill with blood.
Diastolic Pressure: Lowest pressure during heart relaxation.
Differentiation: Cell specialization.
Digestion: Process of food breakdown and absorption. Includes mechanical and chemical digestion phases.
DNA Methylation: Epigenetic modification.
Dromotropy: Factor affecting heart conduction speed.
Dynamic Balance: Balance during movement.
Dynamic Homeostasis: Balance in variable conditions.
Ejection Reflex: Milk ejection reflex.
Electrical Synapse: Synapse transmitting signals through direct electrical connection.
Electrochemical Gradient: Difference in ion concentration and electrical charge.
Emotion: Emotional response.
Emulsification: Breaking down of fats into small droplets.
Endocrine Feedback: Control of hormone secretion.
Endocrine System: System of hormone-secreting glands.
Endocytosis: Uptake of substances into cells through membrane.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress: Protein folding stress.
Endurance: Capacity for prolonged activity.
Energy Homeostasis: Maintenance of energy balance.
Enterogastric Reflex: Reflex affecting stomach from intestine.
Epigenetics: Changes in gene expression.
Epinephrine: Hormone regulating stress response.
Equilibrium: Balance sense.
Erythrocyte: Red blood cell.
Erythropoiesis: Formation of red blood cells.
Erythropoietin: Hormone stimulating red blood cell production.
Estrogens: Female sex hormones.
Exercise: Planned physical activity.
Exercise Hypertrophy: Increase in muscle mass with exercise.
Exocytosis: Release of substances from cells.
Expiration: Breathing out.
External Sphincter: Voluntary anal sphincter.
Facilitated Transport: Transport of substances through carrier proteins.
Fatigue: Decrease in performance.
Fertilization: Union of sperm and egg.
Fetal Programming: Developmental metabolic programming.
Fibrinogen: Clotting protein.
Fibrinolysis: Clot dissolution.
Flexibility: Range of joint motion.
Gastric Secretion: Digestive fluid secreted by stomach glands.
Gastroenteric Reflex: Digestive tract reflexes.
Gastrointestinal Hormones: Hormones of digestive system.
Gastrointestinal Motility: Movement ability of digestive tract.
Genomic Imprinting: Control of gene expression.
Globulin: Immunoglobulins and other proteins.
Glomerular Barrier: Glomerular filtration barrier.
Glomerular Filtrate: Initial urine formed in kidney.
Glomerular Filtration: First filtration stage in kidney. Filtration of plasma through glomeruli due to blood pressure.
Glomerular Pressure: Blood pressure in glomerular capillaries.
Glucagon: Hormone raising blood sugar.
Glucose Homeostasis: Blood sugar balance.
Glycation: Protein modification with sugar.
Glycogenesis: Glycogen synthesis.
Glycogenolysis: Glycogen breakdown.
Granulocyte: Granular leukocyte.
Growth Factors: Cell growth and development control.
Hearing: Sound perception.
Hematopoiesis: Formation of blood cells.
Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying protein.
Hemostasis: Prevention of blood loss.
Histone Modification: Chromatin structure change.
Homeostasis: Internal balance, mechanism of maintaining body's internal environment.
Hormesis: Beneficial adaptation to low dose stress.
Hormone Receptor: Cell surface protein recognizing hormones.
Hormones: Chemical messenger molecules secreted by endocrine glands.
Humoral Immunity: Antibody-mediated immunity.
Hydrochloric Acid: Stomach acid.
Hydrostatic Pressure: Pressure created by fluid column.
Hyperpolarization: Membrane potential more negative than resting.
Hypersensitivity Reaction: Allergic response.
Hypothalamic Hormones: Hormones secreted by hypothalamus.
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal Axis: Control of stress response.
Immunity: Defense system.
Immunological Adaptation: Adaptation of immune system.
Immunosenescence: Aging of immune system.
Implantation: Attachment of embryo to uterine wall.
Induction: Stimulation of cell differentiation.
Inotropy: Factor affecting heart contraction strength.
Inspiration: Breathing in.
Insulin: Hormone lowering blood sugar.
Internal Sphincter: Involuntary anal sphincter.
Intestinal Active Transport: Energy-dependent absorption of nutrients.
Intestinal Barrier: Protective function of intestinal wall.
Intestinal Microbiota: Microorganisms living in intestine.
Intrinsic Factor: Protein necessary for vitamin B12 absorption.
Ionotropic Receptor: Ligand-gated ion channel.
Krebs Cycle: Citric acid cycle.
Lactation: Production and secretion of milk.
Lactation Reflex: Milk secretion reflex.
Lactic Acid: Product of anaerobic metabolism.
Leukocyte: White blood cell.
Leukopoiesis: Formation of white blood cells.
Limbic System: Control of emotional behaviors.
Lipid Homeostasis: Fat balance.
Lipogenesis: Fat synthesis.
Lipolysis: Fat breakdown.
Long-term Depression: Weakening of synaptic connection.
Long-term Memory: Permanent information storage.
Long-term Potentiation: Strengthening of synaptic connection.
Lymph Node: Lymph filtration and immunity.
Lymphocyte: Immune system cell.
Lymphoid Organs: Immune system organs.
MALT: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
Mechanical Stress: Exposure to physical forces.
Mechanical Transduction: Conversion of sound waves to nerve signals.
Mechanoreceptor: Receptor perceiving mechanical stimuli.
Meiosis: Sex cell formation.
Melatonin: Hormone regulating sleep-wake cycle.
Membrane Receptor: Protein recognizing signal molecules on cell surface.
Memory: Storage and recall of information.
Menstrual Cycle: Female reproductive cycle.
Metabolic Adaptation: Adaptation to metabolic changes.
Metabolic Excretion: Removal of metabolites from body.
Metabolic Rhythm: Metabolic cycles.
Metabotropic Receptor: G protein-coupled receptor.
Micturition: Urination.
Micturition Reflex: Bladder emptying reflex.
Minute Volume: Amount of blood pumped per minute.
Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Formation of mitochondria.
Mitosis: Somatic cell division.
Molecular Chaperones: Protein folding assistants.
Monocyte: Precursor to macrophage.
Morphogenesis: Tissue and organ formation.
Motivation: Internal state directing behavior.
Motor Area: Cortex region responsible for movement control.
Motor End Plate: Neuromuscular junction.
Motor Unit: Motor neuron and muscle fibers it innervates.
Muscular Adaptation: Muscle adaptation to exercise.
Muscular Atrophy: Decrease in muscle mass.
Muscular Contraction: Shortening of muscle fibers.
Muscular Fatigue: Decrease in muscle performance.
Muscular Hypertrophy: Increase in muscle mass.
Muscular Relaxation: Lengthening of muscle fibers.
Muscular Tone: Resting tension of muscle.
Myosin Filament: Thick muscle filament.
Negative Feedback: Process inhibition by its own product.
Neuroendocrine Adaptation: Adaptation of hormone system.
Neuronal Integration: Integration of signals in nerve cell.
Neurotransmission: Signal transmission between nerve cells. Occurs through chemical and electrical synapses.
Neurotransmitter: Chemical substance transmitting signals between nerve cells.
NK Cell: Natural killer cell.
Nociceptor: Receptor perceiving harmful stimuli.
Non-REM Sleep: Slow wave sleep.
Norepinephrine: Hormone regulating stress response.
Nutrient Sensing: Perception of metabolic state.
Olfaction: Smell perception.
Olfactory Bulb: Center processing smell signals.
Olfactory Memory: Memory of smells.
Oncotic Pressure: Osmotic pressure created by proteins.
Oogenesis: Formation of female reproductive cells.
Osmotic Gradient: Osmolarity difference in kidney medulla.
Osmotic Stress: Exposure to osmolarity changes.
Osteogenesis: Formation of new bone tissue.
Osteolysis: Bone tissue resorption.
Otolith: Linear movement detector.
Ovulation: Release of egg cell.
Oxidative Stress: Free radical damage.
Oxygen Consumption: Oxygen used during exercise.
Oxygen Debt: Post-exercise oxygen consumption.
Oxygen Saturation: Hemoglobin saturation with oxygen.
Oxygen Tension: Oxygen pressure in blood.
Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation: Release of oxygen from hemoglobin.
Pain: Perception of harmful stimulus.
Pancreatic Hormones: Hormones secreted by endocrine part of pancreas.
Pancreatic Secretion: Digestive enzymes from pancreas.
Parasympathetic Tone: Basal activity of parasympathetic nervous system.
Parathormone: Hormone raising blood calcium level.
Parathyroid Hormones: Hormones secreted by parathyroid gland.
Partial Pressure: Contribution of a gas to total pressure.
Parturition: Birth.
Pepsinogen: Precursor form of stomach protease enzyme.
Peripheral Nervous System: Peripheral nerves.
Peripheral Resistance: Vascular resistance to blood flow.
Peristalsis: Rhythmic contraction of digestive tract.
Peroxisomal Biogenesis: Formation of peroxisomes.
Photoreceptor: Light-sensitive cell.
Physiological Adaptation: Adaptation of body systems.
Pinocytosis: Uptake of liquid substances into cells.
Pituitary Hormones: Hormones secreted by pituitary gland.
Placenta: Organ between mother and fetus.
Plasma Proteins: Proteins in blood.
Platelet: Blood platelet.
Positive Feedback: Process enhancement by its own product.
Postsynaptic Inhibition: Inhibition of transmission in postsynaptic cell.
Postural Tone: Muscle tone maintaining body posture.
Power: Work done per unit time.
Pressure Receptor: Receptor perceiving pressure.
Presynaptic Inhibition: Inhibition of transmission in presynaptic cell.
Procedural Memory: Memory of skills and habits.
Progenitor Cells: Blood cell precursors.
Programmed Cell Death: Developmental cell death.
Proprioceptor: Receptor perceiving body position.
Protein Degradation: Protein breakdown.
Protein Homeostasis: Protein balance.
Proteostasis: Protein homeostasis.
Pulmonary Compliance: Ability of lungs to expand.
Pulmonary Diffusion: Gas exchange between alveoli and blood.
Pulmonary Perfusion: Blood circulation in lungs.
Pulmonary Surfactant: Substance reducing surface tension in alveoli.
Pulmonary Ventilation: Air movement in and out of lungs. Consists of inspiration and expiration phases.
Pulse Pressure: Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure.
Pupil: Eye aperture.
Pupillary Reflex: Pupil response to light.
Receptor Adaptation: Decreased sensitivity to continuous stimulus.
Receptor Internalization: Uptake of receptors into cell.
Regeneration: Tissue renewal.
REM Sleep: Rapid eye movement sleep.
Renal Autoregulation: Control of kidney blood flow.
Renal Blood Flow: Amount of blood passing through kidney.
Renal Hormones: Hormones secreted by kidney.
Renal Plasma Flow: Amount of plasma passing through kidney.
Renin-Angiotensin System: Blood pressure control.
Repair: Repair of damaged structures.
Repolarization: Return to resting membrane potential.
Residual Volume: Air remaining in lungs after maximum expiration.
Respiratory Adaptation: Respiratory system adaptation to exercise.
Respiratory Center: Brainstem center controlling breathing.
Respiratory Frequency: Number of breaths per minute.
Respiratory Reflex: Reflexes affecting breathing.
Respiratory Rhythm: Regular cycle of breathing.
Rigor Mortis: Post-mortem muscle stiffness.
Saltatory Conduction: Rapid signal transmission in myelinated nerve fibers.
Sarcomere: Muscle contraction unit.
Satiety: Feeling of fullness.
Segmentation: Mixing of intestinal contents.
Semicircular Canals: Angular movement detectors.
Senescence: Cellular aging process.
Sensation: Perception of environmental stimuli.
Sensory Adaptation: Habituation to stimulus.
Sensory Area: Cortex region processing sensory information.
Sensory Discrimination: Distinguishing between stimuli.
Sensory Receptor: Structure perceiving stimuli.
Sex Hormones: Hormones regulating reproductive system.
Short-term Memory: Temporary information storage.
Signal Amplification: Increase in signal during intracellular cascade.
Sleep: Periodic loss of consciousness.
Sleep Phases: Different stages of sleep.
Sliding Filament Theory: Mechanism of muscle contraction.
Sodium-Potassium Pump: Protein transporting sodium and potassium ions using ATP.
Somatotropic Axis: Growth control.
Sound Localization: Determining sound direction.
Spatial Summation: Summation of stimuli from different sources.
Spermatogenesis: Formation of male reproductive cells.
Spermiation: Release of mature sperm.
Sphincter Tone: Basal tension of sphincter muscles.
Spinal Reflex: Simple reflex occurring in spinal cord.
Spleen: Blood filtration and immunity.
Stereoscopic Vision: Three-dimensional vision.
Stress: Body's response to strain.
Stress Resistance: Resistance to stress.
Stroke Volume: Amount of blood pumped in each heartbeat.
Supercompensation: Post-exercise performance increase.
Sympathetic Tone: Basal activity of sympathetic nervous system.
Synaptic Facilitation: Enhancement of synaptic transmission.
Synaptic Plasticity: Ability of synapses to change.
Synaptic Vesicle: Intracellular vesicle storing neurotransmitter.
Synovial Fluid: Joint lubricating fluid.
Synovial Joint: Movable joint.
Systemic Senescence: Aging of organ systems.
Systole: Heart contraction phase. Period when ventricles contract to pump blood to arteries.
Systolic Pressure: Highest pressure during heart contraction.
Taste: Taste perception.
Taste Bud: Structure perceiving taste.
Telomerase Activity: Chromosome end protection.
Telomere Shortening: Aging marker.
Temporal Summation: Summation of sequential stimuli effects.
Testosterone: Male sex hormone.
Thermal Adaptation: Adaptation to temperature changes.
Thermal Stress: Exposure to temperature changes.
Thermogenesis: Heat production.
Thermoreceptor: Receptor perceiving temperature.
Thermoregulation: Heat regulation, maintenance of body temperature.
Thirst: Drive to drink water.
Thrombopoiesis: Formation of platelets.
Thyroid Hormones: Hormones secreted by thyroid gland.
Thyroxine: Thyroid hormone regulating metabolism.
Tidal Volume: Amount of air in each breath.
Tissue Regeneration: Renewal of damaged tissue.
TNF: Inflammatory cytokine.
Tone Discrimination: Distinguishing sound frequencies.
Tonsil: Mucosal immunity organ.
Touch: Tactile perception.
Tubular Reabsorption: Reabsorption of filtrate.
Tubular Secretion: Secretion of substances into urine.
Tubuloglomerular Feedback: Control of nephron function.
Ubiquitination: Marking proteins for degradation.
Urinary Continence: Ability to hold urine.
Urine Concentration: Concentration of urine.
Vascular Tone: Basal tension of vascular smooth muscles.
Vasoconstriction: Blood vessel narrowing.
Vasodilation: Blood vessel widening.
Velocity: Speed of movement.
Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio: Relationship between lung ventilation and blood flow.
Vestibular Apparatus: Balance organ.
Vestibulo-ocular Reflex: Eye movement stabilization.
Vigilance: State of alertness.
Vision: Visual perception.
Vital Capacity: Maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after maximum expiration.
VO2 Max: Maximum oxygen consumption.
Xenobiotic Metabolism: Foreign substance metabolism.