Vocabulary

acetylcholinesterase (ah SEET l KOE leh nes teeh RASE)    An enzyme that destroys acetylcholine and counteracts its action.
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)    A high-energy molecule found in every cell that supplies large amounts of energy for various biochemical processes.
aerobic    Occurring in the presence of oxygen
anaerobic    Occurring without the presence of oxygen
analgesic (an ahl JEE zik)    A drug that reduces or eliminates pain.
anticonvulsant (an tee kuhn VUL sahnt)    A drug used to prevent or treat seizures.
aponeurosis    A tough, fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscles to muscles.
autoimmune    An immune response against a person’s own tissues, cells, or cell parts, as in autoimmune disease, leads to the deterioration of tissue.
biopsy (BIE op see)    Removal of tissue or cells for examination by a pathologist.
callus    Hard bony tissue that forms at the ends of fractured bones during the healing process.
cartilage (KAR tih lij)    Flexible connective tissue that covers the ends of many bones at the joint.
compact bone    Consists of tightly packed osteons; denser and heavier compared to spongy bone.
fasciculations (fah SIK yeh LAE shuhns)    Involuntary muscle tremors and fine movements.
hematopoiesis (hee mah toh poh EE sis)    The formation of the blood cells and platelets.
homeostasis    The internal environment of the body that is compatible with life. A steady state that is created by all the body systems working together to provide a consistent and unvarying internal environment.
immunosuppressant    A drug used to suppress the immune system.
ligaments (LIH gah ments)    Supportive connective tissue that connects bones at a joint.
neurotransmitters    Chemicals that help a nerve cell communicate with another nerve cell or muscle.
permeability (pur mee ah BIL i tee)    A quality or characteristic of a material that allows another substance to pass through it.
process    A prominence or projection on a bone.
psoriasis (sah RIE ah sis)    A usually chronic, recurrent skin disease marked by bright red patches covered with silvery scales.
red bone marrow    Soft, gelatinous tissue that consists of blood stem cells that can become white or red blood cells or platelets. Found at the center of most bones.
remission    The partial or complete disappearance of the clinical and subjective characteristics of a chronic or malignant disease.
respiration    A metabolic process by which cells break down substances (e.g., carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats) to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
spongy bone    Lighter and less dense than compact bone; also called cancellous bone. Usually found at the ends of bones and contains red bone marrow.
synapse (SIN aps)    A point of communication between two cells.
tendons (TEN duns)    Connective tissue that attaches muscles to bone.
vertebrae (VUR teh bray)    A series of small, irregularly shaped bones that form the spine. Each vertebra has several projections, joint surfaces, areas for muscle attachment, and a hole where the spinal cord passes.