31 adipose tissue

Connective tissue in which fat is stored.

Yellow fiber in the matrix of connective tissue,

providing flexibility.

basement membrane
Layer of nonliving material that anchors
epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue.

endocrine gland
Ductless organ that secretes hormone(s) into
the bloodstream.

blood
Fluid circulated by the heart through a closed
system of vessels.

epidermis
In mammals, the outer, protective layer of the
skin; in plants, tissue that covers roots, leaves,
and stems of nonwoody organisms.

bone
Connective tissue having protein fibers and a
hard matrix of inorganic salts, notably calcium
salts.

epithelial tissue
Tissue that lines hollow organs and covers
surfaces.

cardiac muscle
Striated, involuntary muscle tissue found only in
the heart.

exocrine gland
Gland that secretes its product to an epithelial
surface directly or through ducts.

cartilage
Connective tissue in which the cells lie within
lacunae embedded in a flexible, proteinaceous
matrix.

fibroblast
Cell found in loose connective tissue that
synthesizes collagen and elastic fibers in the
matrix.

collagen fiber
White fiber in the matrix of connective tissue
giving flexibility and strength.

fibrocartilage
Cartilage with a matrix of strong collagenous
fibers.

columnar epithelium
Type of epithelial tissue with cylindrical cells.

gland
Epithelial cell or group of epithelial cells that are
specialized to secrete a substance.

compact bone
Type of bone that contains osteons consisting of
concentric layers of matrix and osteocytes in
lacunae.
connective tissue
Type of animal tissue that binds structures
together, provides support and protection, fills
spaces, stores fat, and forms blood cells;
adipose tissue, cartilage, bone, and blood are
types of connective tissue; living cells in a
nonliving matrix.
cuboidal epithelium
Type of epithelial tissue with cube-shaped cells.
dense fibrous connective tissue
Type of connective tissue containing many
collagen fibers packed together; found in
tendons and ligaments, for example.
dermis
In mammals, thick layer of the skin underlying
the epidermis.
elastic cartilage
Type of cartilage composed of elastic fibers,
allowing greater flexibility.
elastic fiber

hair follicle
Tubelike depression in the skin in which a hair
develops.
homeostasis
Maintenance of normal internal conditions in a
cell or an organism by means of self-regulating
mechanisms.
hyaline cartilage
Cartilage whose cells lie in lacunae separated
by a white translucent matrix containing very
fine collagen fibers.
intercalated disk
Region that holds adjacent cardiac muscle cells
together; disks appear as dense bands at right
angles to the muscle striations.
lacuna
Small pit or hollow cavity, as in bone or
cartilage, where a cell or cells are located.
ligament
Tough cord or band of dense fibrous tissue that
binds bone to bone at a joint.
loose fibrous connective tissue

Tissue composed mainly of fibroblasts widely

separated by a matrix containing collagen and
elastic fibers.
lymph
Fluid, derived from tissue fluid, that is carried in
lymphatic vessels.
melanocyte
Specialized cell in the epidermis that produces
melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.

positive feedback
Mechanism of homeostatic response in which
the output of the system intensifies and
increases the activity of the system.
red blood cell
Erythrocyte; contains hemoglobin and carries
oxygen from the lungs or gills to the tissues in
vertebrates.

muscular (contractile) tissue

Type of animal tissue composed of fibers that
shorten and lengthen to produce movements.

reticular fiber
Very thin collagen fibers in the matrix of
connective tissue, highly branched and forming
delicate supporting networks.

nail
Flattened epithelial tissue from the stratum
lucidum of the skin; located on the tips of
fingers and toes.

skeletal muscle
Striated, voluntary muscle tissue that
comprises skeletal muscles; also called striated
muscle.

negative feedback
Mechanism of homeostatic response by which
the output of a system suppresses or inhibits
activity of the system.

skin
Outer covering of the body; can be called the
integumentary system because it contains
organs such as sense organs.

nerve
Bundle of long axons outside the central
nervous system.

smooth (visceral) muscle

Nonstriated, involuntary muscles found in the
walls of internal organs.

nervous tissue
Tissue that contains nerve cells (neurons),
which conduct impulses, and neuroglia, which
support, protect, and provide nutrients to
neurons.

spongy bone
Type of bone that has an irregular, meshlike
arrangement of thin plates of bone.

neuroglia
Nonconducting nerve cells that are intimately
associated with neurons and function in a
supportive capacity.
neuron
Nerve cell that characteristically has three
parts: dendrites, cell body, and an axon.
oil gland
Gland of the skin, associated with hair follicle,
that secretes sebum; sebaceous gland.
organ
Combination of two or more different tissues
performing a common function.
organ system
Group of related organs working together.
pathogen
Disease-causing agent such as viruses, parasitic
bacteria, fungi, and animals.
platelet
Disease-causing agent such as viruses, parasitic
bacteria, fungi, and animals.

squamous epithelium
Type of epithelial tissue that contains flat cells.
striated
Having bands; in cardiac and skeletal muscle,
alternating light and dark bands produced by
the distribution of contractile proteins.
subcutaneous layer
A sheet that lies just beneath the skin and
consists of loose connective and adipose tissue.
sweat gland
Skin gland that secretes a fluid substance for
evaporative cooling; sudoriferous gland.
tendon
Strap of fibrous connective tissue that connects
skeletal muscle to bone.
tissue
Group of similar cells combined to perform a
common function.
tissue fluid
Fluid that surrounds the body's cells; consists of
dissolved substances that leave the blood
capillaries by filtration and diffusion.

vitamin D
Fat-soluble compound; deficiency tends to
cause rickets in children.
40 acromegaly
Condition resulting from an increase in growth
hormone production after adult height has been
achieved.
Addison disease
Condition resulting from a deficiency of adrenal
cortex hormones; characterized by low blood
glucose, weight loss, and weakness.
adrenal cortex
Outer portion of the adrenal gland; secretes
mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone, and
glucocorticoids, such as cortisol.
adrenal gland
Gland that lies atop a kidney; the adrenal
medulla produces the hormones epinephrine
and norepinephrine, and the adrenal cortex
produces the glucocorticoid and
mineralocorticoid hormones.
adrenal medulla
Inner portion of the adrenal gland; secretes the
hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the
pituitary gland that stimulates activity in the
adrenal cortex.
aldosterone
Hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that
regulates the sodium and potassium ion
balance of the blood.
anabolic steroid
Synthetic steroid that mimics the effect of
testosterone.
androgen
Male sex hormone (e.g., testosterone).
anterior pituitary
Portion of the pituitary gland that is controlled
by the hypothalamus and produces six types of
hormones, some of which control other
endocrine glands.
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary
that increases the permeability of the collecting
ducts in a kidney.
atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH)
Hormone secreted by the heart that increases
sodium excretion.

white blood cell

Leukocyte, of which there are several types,
each having a specific function in protecting the
body from invasion by foreign substances and
organisms.
calcitonin
Hormone secreted by the thyroid gland that
increases the blood calcium level.
chemical signal
Molecule that brings about a change in a cell,
tissue, organ, or individual when it binds to a
specific receptor.
circadian rhythm
Biological rhythm with a 24-hour cycle.
congenital hypothyroidism
Condition that results from the thyroid gland
not developing properly; characteristics include
stunted growth and possible mental retardation.
cortisol
Glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex
that responds to stress on a long-term basis;
reduces inflammation and promotes protein and
fat metabolism.
Cushing syndrome
Condition resulting from hypersecretion of
glucocorticoids; characterized by thin arms and
legs and a "moon face," and accompanied by
high blood glucose and sodium levels.
cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
ATP related compound that acts as the second
messenger in peptide hormone transduction; it
initiates activity of the metabolic machinery.
diabetes mellitus
Condition characterized by a high blood glucose
level and the appearance of glucose in the
urine due to a deficiency of insulin production
and failure of cells to take up glucose.
endocrine gland
Ductless organ that secretes hormone(s) into
the bloodstream.
endocrine system
Organ system involved in the coordination of
body activities; uses hormones as chemical
signals secreted into the bloodstream.
epinephrine
Hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla in
times of stress; adrenaline.
erythropoietin (EPO)
Hormone produced by the kidneys that speeds
red blood cell formation.

estrogen
Female sex hormone that helps maintain sexual
organs and secondary sex characteristics.
exophthalmic goiter
Enlargement of the thyroid gland accompanied
by an abnormal protrusion of the eyes.
first messenger
Chemical signal such as a peptide hormone that
binds to a plasma membrane receptor protein
and alters the metabolism of a cell because a
second messenger is activated.
glucocorticoid
Type of hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex
that influences carbohydrate, fat, and protein
metabolism.
gonadotropic hormone
Substance secreted by the anterior pituitary
that regulates the activity of the ovaries and
testes; principally, follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
growth hormone (GH)
Substance secreted by the anterior pituitary;
controls size of an individual by promoting cell
division, protein synthesis, and bone growth.
hormone
Chemical messenger produced in one part of
the body that controls the activity of other
parts.
hypothalamic-inhibiting hormone
One of many hormones produced by the
hypothalamus that inhibits the secretion of an
anterior pituitary hormone.
hypothalamic-releasing hormone
One of many hormones produced by the
hypothalamus that stimulates the secretion of
an anterior pituitary hormone.
hypothalamus
In vertebrates, part of the brain that helps
regulate the internal environment of the body
for example, heart rate, body temperature, and
water balance.
leptin
Hormone produced by adipose tissue that acts
on the hypothalamus to signal satiety (fullness).
melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Substance that causes melanocytes to secrete
melanin in most vertebrates.
melatonin
Hormone, secreted by the pineal gland, that is
involved in biorhythms.

mineralocorticoid
Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex that
regulate salt and water balance, leading to
increases in blood volume and blood pressure.
myxedema
Condition resulting from a deficiency of thyroid
hormone in an adult.
negative feedback
Mechanism of homeostatic response by which
the output of a system suppresses or inhibits
activity of the system.

norepinephrine
Neurotransmitter of the postganglionic fibers in
the sympathetic division of the autonomic
system; also, a hormone produced by the
adrenal medulla.
ovary
In flowering plants, the enlarged, ovulebearing
portion of the carpel that develops into a fruit;
female gonad in animals that produces an egg
and female sex hormones.
oxytocin
In flowering plants, the enlarged, ovulebearing
portion of the carpel that develops into a fruit;
female gonad in animals that produces an egg
and female sex hormones.
pancreas
Internal organ that produces digestive enzymes
and the hormones insulin and glucagon.
pancreatic islet
Masses of cells that constitute the endocrine
portion of the pancreas.
parathyroid gland
Gland embedded in the posterior surface of the
thyroid gland; it produces parathyroid hormone.
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Hormone secreted by the four parathyroid
glands that increases the blood calcium level
and decreases the phosphate level.
peptide hormone
Type of hormone that is a protein, a peptide, or
derived from an amino acid.
pheromone
Chemical messenger that works at a distance
and alters the behavior of another member of
the same species.
pineal gland

Glandeither at the skin surface (fish,

amphibians) or in the third ventricle of the brain
(mammals)that produces melatonin.
pituitary dwarfism
Condition caused by inadequate growth
hormone in which affected individual has
normal proportions but small stature.
pituitary gland
Small gland that lies just inferior to the
hypothalamus; consists of the anterior and
posterior pituitary, both of which produce
hormones.
positive feedback
Mechanism of homeostatic response in which
the output of the system intensifies and
increases the activity of the system.
posterior pituitary
Portion of the pituitary gland that stores and
secretes oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone
produced by the hypothalamus.
progesterone
Female sex hormone that helps maintain sexual
organs and secondary sex characteristics.
prolactin (PRL)
Hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that
stimulates the production of milk from the
mammary glands.
prostaglandin
Hormone that has various and powerful local
effects.
renin
Enzyme released by the kidneys that leads to
the secretion of aldosterone and a rise in blood
pressure.
second messenger
Chemical signal such as cyclic AMP that causes
the cell to respond to the first messengera

hormone bound to plasma membrane receptor

protein.
simple goiter
Condition in which an enlarged thyroid produces
low levels of thyroxine.
steroid hormone
Type of hormone that has the same complex of
four carbon rings, but each one has different
side chains.
testes
Type of hormone that has the same complex of
four carbon rings, but each one has different
side chains.
testosterone
Male sex hormone that helps maintain sexual
organs and secondary sex characteristics.
tetany
Severe twitching caused by involuntary
contraction of the skeletal muscles due to a
calcium imbalance.
thymus gland
Lymphoid organ involved in the development
and functioning of the immune system; T
lymphocytes mature in the thymus gland.
thyroid gland
Large gland in the neck that produces several
important hormones, including thyroxine,
triiodothyronine, and calcitonin.
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Substance produced by the anterior pituitary
that causes the thyroid to secrete thyroxine and
triiodothyronine.
thyroxine (T4)
Hormone secreted from the thyroid gland that
promotes growth and development; in general,
it increases the metabolic rate in cells.