ch 27

study of an organism's structure

study of functions or processes in an organism

cooperating unit of many similar cells that perform a specific function

unit consisting of several tissues that together perform a specific task

unit of multiple organs that together perform a vital body function

sheets of closely packed cells that cover the surface of the body and line the internal organs

groups of cells that hold together and support other tissues and cushion, insulate, and connect organs

tissue that transmits signals in the body in response to changes in the environment

nerve cell; basic unit of nervous tissue

voluntary muscle attached to the skeleton that allows movement of the body

involuntary muscle that causes the heart to pump blood

involuntary muscle found in most organs of the body

internal stability or "steady state" maintained by the body

signal molecule released into the bloodstream that triggers particular responses

aqueous solution that fills the gaps between cells in a tissue

outer covering that physically separates the body from the external environment

outermost layer of skin

pigmented protein that gives skin its color

layer of skin beneath and supporting the epidermis, made up mostly of fibrous connective tissue that gives the skin its strength and elasticity

tissue layer beneath the dermis; contains adipose tissue, a connective tissue that includes fat-storing cells and blood vessels

segment of the backbone; encloses and protects the nerve cord

type of connective tissue softer than bone

specialized tissue found in bone; yellow bone marrow consists of stored fat that serves as an energy reserve; red bone marrow makes cells that develop into blood cells

area where one bone meets another

strong fibrous connective tissue that holds together the bones in movable joints

group of skeletal disorders characterized by inflamed joints

disorder in which bones become thinner, more porous, and more easily broken

dense connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone

single, long cylindrical muscle cell containing many nuclei

unit of muscle fiber made up of smaller units that contract

unit of contraction in a muscle fiber

twisted, thin filament in a muscle fiber

thick filament in a muscle fiber; has bump-like projections