Aerobic metabolism |
The production of ATP requiring oxygen. |
Aetiology |
The cause of. |
Afferent |
Conducting or leading towards a target or centre. |
Agonist |
A substance that interacts with a receptor molecule that initiates the same response as the hormone/transmitter usually binding to that site. |
Aliphatic |
An organic compound that contains carbon atoms arranged in a chain rather than a ring formation. |
Alkalosis |
An increase above that within the normal pH range of the body. |
Allograph |
Implanted tissue that is of different genetic origin to the donor. |
Alopecia |
The loss of body and scalp hair. |
Amoeboid |
Appearing and behaving like the large single-celled organism called an amoeba. |
Amplitude |
The difference between the highest and lowest measurement within a regular cycle. |
Anabolic metabolism |
The synthesis of biological compounds involving the expenditure of energy. |
Anaerobic metabolism |
The production of ATP in the absence of oxygen. |
Anastomose |
The joining up of two tubes, vessels, etc., ensuring that the lumen remains patent between them. |
Androsperm |
A sperm carrying a Y chromosome. |
Aneuploidy |
Presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes. |
Angiogenesis |
The formation of new blood vessels. |
Anisogamy |
The existence of different forms of gametes related to sexual dimorphism. |
Antagonist |
A substance that blocks receptor sites and then inhibits any further responses. |
Anteflexed |
Curved inwards. |
Anteverted |
Folded over. |
Antibody (immunoglobulin) |
A ‘Y’-shaped molecule that combines with an antigen (foreign protein) as part of the immune response, synthesized by white blood cells. |
Antigen |
A molecule that initiates the immune response found within foreign tissue. |
Antral |
A cavity within the body. |
Apoptosis |
The genetic programming resulting in the death of a cell. |
Aquatic |
Pertaining to an underwater environment. |
Arborize |
To grow in a branch-like formation. |
Asynclitism |
To be tilted laterally on either side of the anterior/posterior mid-plane. |
Asphysia |
The death of a cell through a lack of oxygen. |
Atresia |
The abnormal narrowing or closure of the lumen in a tube or vessel. |
Atretic |
Having the characteristics of or pertaining to atresia; without an opening. |
Atrophy |
Decreased functioning due to hypoplasia with increasing age. |
Attenuated |
Modified to have less of an effect than normal. |
Bactericidal |
Containing substances that can kill bacteria. |
Bacteriostatic |
Containing substances that inhibit the reproduction of bacteria. |
Basal metabolic rate |
The amount of energy expenditure required for the maintenance of essential body function only. |
Behaviour |
The study of how organisms interact within the environment. |
Biosynthesis |
The manufacture of body tissues and substances. |
Breech |
Pertaining to the fetal rump. |
Carotenoid |
Naturally occurring fat-soluble pigment that colours plants red, yellow, orange or brown. |
Catabolic metabolism |
The breakdown of compounds requiring the expenditure of energy. |
Cephalic |
Pertaining to the fetal head. |
Chemoattractant |
A substance that acts as an attractant. |
Chemostasis |
The maintenance of a chemical balance. |
Chorioamnionitis |
Infection of the chorion and amnion during pregnancy. |
Circadian |
About one day. |
Clonal expansion |
The ability of white blood cells to duplicate rapidly as part of the immune response. |
Cloning |
Reproduction of an organism identical to an organism from which non-gamete genetic material is obtained. |
Co-dominant |
Expression of both of two differing alleles in the phenotype when present in the genotype. |
Coitus |
The act of sexual intercourse. |
Colloid |
A protein suspended in a liquid. |
Contraception |
Prevention of pregnancy by intervention. |
Cortex |
The outer tissue layer or part of a structure. |
Cranial |
Pertaining to the skull. |
Cyanosis |
The bluish appearance of body tissues in situations of hypoxia. |
Cyclical |
Repeated on a regular basis. |
Cytoplasm |
The intercellular tissue contained within the cell membrane. |
Decidualization |
The formation of the decidua of pregnancy. |
Deletion |
The loss of part of a chromosome. |
Dermatome |
Area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve; derived from segmental development during embryonic stage. |
Desquamation |
The loss of the outer layers of a continuously growing squamous tissue. |
Detumescence |
The resolution of the inflammatory response. |
Diapedesis |
The passage of blood cells through the blood vessel wall into the surrounding tissue. |
Diastolic |
The period of relaxation of the ventricles of the heart. |
Dichrotic |
A notch observed on the downstroke of the arterial pressure waveform that indicates the closure of the aortic valve. |
Differentiation |
The division of cells resulting in the daughter cells becoming different owing to the activation of particular genes. |
Dimorphism |
The existence of an organism in distinct forms such as male and female. |
Diploid |
The normal number of paired chromosomes. |
Discoid |
Disc-like. |
Dorsal |
Pertaining to the back. |
Dysgenesis |
Abnormal formation. |
Dyspnoea |
Difficulty in breathing. |
Ectopic pregnancy |
Implantation occurs outside the uterine cavity, usually in a uterine tube. |
Efferent |
Carrying away from a centre (e.g. a blood vessel or nerve). |
Endocytosis |
The process by which substances are transported into the cell within envelopes formed out of the outer cell membrane. |
Endogenous |
Pertaining to the internal physiological environment. |
Entrained |
Reset by an external factor. |
Enzyme |
A protein that is able to speed up a chemical reaction without being structurally altered by the process itself. |
Epitopes |
A cluster of antigens that evoke an immune response. |
Ergometrine |
A drug derived from alkaloids of ergot that causes a sustained, strong contraction of the myometrium. |
Erythropoietin |
A hormone produced chiefly by the kidneys (in the adult) and by the liver (in the fetus) that initiates red blood cell production. |
Eugenics |
The science aimed at producing the perfect individual. |
Euploidic |
Contains the normal number of chromosomes. |
Evolution |
The study of genetic variation and change within generations of populations. |
Exogenous |
Pertaining to the external environment. |
Extended |
Tilted away from. |
Flexed |
Tilted towards. |
Follicle |
Tissue structure that is fluid-filled. |
Free radical |
An oxygen molecule containing an unpaired electron. |
Gametogenesis |
The formation of gametes. |
Gastrulation |
The formation of the inner layers of the embryo by cell migration in a process of invagination. |
Gene manipulation |
The science of artificially adding or removing genes to effect a change within an individual. |
Gene pool |
The total number of genes within a population. |
Genome |
The total number of genes within a single organism. |
Gluconeogenesis |
The synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. |
Glycolytic |
The breakdown of glucose. |
Graft rejection |
The rejection of donor tissue by the recipient's immune system. |
Grey matter of brain |
Unmyelinated axons, nuclei and dendrites in the brain. |
Gynosperm |
A sperm carrying an X chromosome. |
Haemoptysis |
The presence of blood in sputum. |
Half-life |
The time taken for the reduction by half of the quantity present. |
Haploid |
Half of the normal chromosomal number (containing only one chromosome from the normal paired chromosomes). |
Hermaphrodism |
The presence of male and female sex organs within the same individual. |
Heterozygous |
Alleles at a particular locus of paired chromosomes each coding for a different phenotype. |
Hirsutism |
The presence of excess body hair. |
Homeothermic |
A warm-blooded animal (sometimes referred to as endothermic). |
Homozygous |
Alleles at a particular locus of paired chromosomes both coding for the same phenotype. |
Hydrolytic |
Dissolving in water. |
Hyperaemia |
An excessive quantity of blood. |
Hyper/hypoglycaemia |
Abnormally high/low level of glucose within the blood. |
Hyperprolactinaemia |
Abnormally raised levels of the hormone prolactin. |
Hyperventilation |
Overbreathing resulting in alkalosis. |
Imprinting |
A behaviour pattern initiated by specific stimulation of a neural pathway that cannot be further influenced once it has occurred. |
Incompatible |
Not tolerated and so initiating the immune response. |
Inherent |
Having a genetic basis, hereditary, innate. |
Innate |
Present from birth, congenital, e.g. a behaviour pattern that is not learnt but instinctive. |
Invaginate |
To fold inwards to form a pouch. |
Inversion |
The translocation of a portion of a chromosome comprising an upside-down switch. |
Ischaemia |
The death of tissues due to a reduction or loss of the blood supply. |
Keratinized |
Containing the protein keratin. |
Ketotic |
Detectable amounts of ketone bodies present indicating that metabolism of fats is occurring. |
Lipolysis |
The release of fatty acids from the breakdown of adipose tissue. |
Lipophilic |
Having an affinity for fat. |
Luteolysis |
The degradation of the corpus luteum. |
Macromolecules |
Large organic compounds. |
Macrosomic |
Larger than normal body size. |
Maturation |
The achievement of full function following a period of growth and/or development. |
Medulla |
The central tissue layer or part of a structure. |
Menarche |
The commencement of the menstrual cycles. |
Menopause |
The cessation of the menstrual cycles. |
Menses |
The period of shedding of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle. |
Mentum |
Pertaining to the fetal chin. |
Methylation |
The addition of a methyl group (–CH3) to a compound. |
Micturition |
The voiding of urine. |
Mitogen |
A substance that initiates the process of mitosis. |
Morphogenesis |
The formation of body structure. |
Morphology |
The development of form and size. |
Necrotic |
The bacterial decomposition of dead tissue. |
Neuronal |
Pertaining to the nervous system. |
Neurotransmitter |
A chemical that crosses a synaptic gap to initiate an action potential in the receiving neuron. |
Neurulation |
The embryonic formation of the neural tube from the neural plate. |
Nidation |
The process of implantation of the blastocyst into the uterine endometrium. |
Nocturia |
The need to void urine frequently at night. |
Nomenclature |
Terminology describing systematic naming. |
Occiput |
A bone at the posterior lower part of the skull. |
Oedema |
Excess fluid in the extracellular compartments. |
Opsonization |
The process by which bacteria and other cells are made susceptible to phagocytosis. |
Oxidative |
The combination of oxygen with other molecules. |
Pathogen |
A foreign organism that causes harm. |
Penile |
Pertaining to the penis. |
Perfusion |
The blood flow. |
Peristaltic |
Coordinated contraction of smooth muscle around the lumen of a tube or vessel that facilitates the unidirectional movement of the contents within the lumen. |
Phagocytic |
The ingestion of foreign material by phagocytes. |
Phosphorylation |
The addition of an organic phosphate group to a molecule (often activating an enzyme). |
Photoperiod |
The period of natural daylight exposure. |
Placebo |
An inert/harmless substance that has no pharmacological effect, used in double-blind trials in comparison with drugs to assess their clinical effectiveness. |
Placentation |
The formation of the fetal and maternal components of the placenta. |
Placentome |
A lobe of the placenta. |
Poikilothermic |
A cold-blooded animal (sometimes referred to as exothermic). |
Polycythaemic |
An abnormally high number of red blood cells. |
Polysperm |
Fertilization by more than one sperm. |
Postprandial |
The period following the consumption of a meal. |
Preantral |
Before the antral phase. |
Precursor |
A substance that is altered into another substance. |
Primordial |
Existing from the beginning. |
Proliferative |
The ability to increase quickly in numbers. |
Prophylaxis |
Treatment aimed at prevention rather than cure. |
Pseudopodia |
A temporary protrusion in the cell membrane. |
Psychogenic |
The development of the mind. |
Pulsatile |
Released episodically rather than continuously. |
Pyrexia |
An abnormally high body temperature. |
Rate-limiting |
A process that proceeds in relation to the amount of precursor available. |
Receptor |
A molecule that combines with a chemical signal that initiates a response within the cell. |
Reticulocyte |
An immature red blood cell. |
Sacrum |
The bony vestigial remains of the prehensile tail that forms the posterior part of the pelvis. |
Senescence |
Old age. |
Septum (pl. septa) |
A structure that divides the body or body area/organ. |
Sinciput |
Pertaining to the fetal forehead. |
Sinusoids |
An irregularly shaped blood vessel. |
Specific gravity |
The relative density of a fluid in relation to pure water. |
Sphincter |
A ring of muscle that can occlude a tube or vessel when contracted. |
Steroidogenesis |
The production of steroid hormones. |
Stroma |
The structural framework of a cell or organ. |
Syncytium |
A mass of cells in which the cellular membranes have broken down forming a continuous mass. |
Syntocinon |
A synthetic analogue of naturally occurring oxytocin used in obstetrics as a pharmacological method of augmenting uterine contractions via a controlled intravenous infusion. |
Tactile |
Pertaining to touch. |
Teratogen |
A chemical that interferes with the formation of the embryo. |
Thermostasis |
The maintenance of a constant body temperature. |
Totipotent |
A cell that has the capability of dividing to form a complete new individual. |
Transcription |
The process of synthesizing mRNA from a DNA template. |
Translation |
The process of forming an amino acid chain from a coded sequence of mRNA bases. |
Transudation |
Blood plasma that collects within the interstitial space. |
Unicellular |
Made up of one cell. |
Uterotonins |
Substances that encourage the myometrium to contract. |
Vascularization |
The growth of blood vessels into tissue. |
Vascularized |
Perfused with blood vessels. |
Vasoactive |
Has an effect on vascular smooth muscle. |
Vasoconstriction |
Contraction of smooth muscle within the blood vessels. |
Vasodilation |
Relaxation of the smooth muscle within blood vessels. |
Ventral |
Pertaining to the front. |
Vestigial |
A physical characteristic (structure) in evolutionary decline, i.e. remaining present but no longer necessary for survival. |
Villus (pl. villi) |
A finger-like projection from a membrane surface. |
Volatile |
Evaporates at ambient temperatures. |
White matter of brain |
Bundles of myelinated axons within the brain. |
Zygote |
A totipotent cell formed from the fusion of two gametes. |