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vocab [2]

Word List with 49 words
By Dictionary.com

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Words in This List

viable

having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc.

vicarious

noting or pertaining to a situation in which one organ performs part of the functions normally performed by another

antagonist

a muscle that acts in opposition to another

assimilate

to convert food to substances suitable for incorporation into the body and its tissues

fatigue

temporary diminution of the irritability or functioning of organs, tissues, or cells after excessive exertion or stimulation

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sensitive

having a low threshold of sensation or feeling

apparatus

a group of structurally different organs working together in the performance of a particular function; the digestive apparatus

respond

to exhibit some action or effect as if in answer

impulse

a progressive wave of excitation over a nerve or muscle fiber that has a stimulating or inhibitory effect

action

a change in organs, tissues, or cells leading to performance of a function like muscular contraction

contraction

the change in a muscle by which it becomes thickened and shortened

eliminate

to void or expel from an organism

antagonism

an opposing action, as by one muscle in relation to another

sensation

ability to perceive stimuli

consensual

involuntarily correlative with a voluntary action, as the contraction of the iris when the eye is opened

migrate

to move from one region of the body to another, as in embryonic development

bile

a bitter, alkaline, yellow or greenish liquid, secreted by the liver, that aids in absorption and digestion

menopause

the period of permanent cessation of menstruation

continence

the ability to voluntarily control urinary and fecal discharge

reaction

action in response to a stimulus of a system, a nerve or a muscle

synapse

a region where nerve impulses are transmitted and received in the brain

sensitivity

the ability of an organism or part of an organism to react to stimuli; degree of susceptibility to stimulation

involuntary

acting independently of or done or occurring without volition

automatic

occurring independently of volition, as certain muscular actions; involuntary

sensory

noting a structure for conveying an impulse that results or tends to result in sensation such as a nerve

excite

to stimulate to functional activity

responsive

acting as a result to some stimulus

basal

indicating a standard low level of activity of an organism, as during total rest

agonist

a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle

menarche

the first menstrual period; the establishment of menstruation

reflex

pertaining to an involuntary response to a stimulus, in which the nerve impulse from a receptor is transmitted inward to a nerve center, then transmitted outward to an effector

arterial

pertaining to the blood in the pulmonary vein, having been oxygenated during its passage through the lungs and being normally bright red

histamine

a histidine-derived amine compound that is released mainly by damaged mast cells in allergic reactions, causing dilation and permeability of blood vessels and lowering blood pressure

receptor

an end organ or a group of end organs of sensory or afferent neurons, specialized to be sensitive to stimulating agents

calcification

the deposition of lime or insoluble salts of calcium and magnesium

heartbeat

a pulsation of the heart, including one complete systole and diastole

kinesis

the movement of an organism in response to a stimulus such as light

action potential

the change in electrical potential that occurs between the inside and outside of a nerve or muscle fiber when it is stimulated, serving to transmit nerve signals

biorhythm

an innate periodicity in an organism's physiological processes like sleep and wake cycles

REM sleep

a period of sleep during which most dreaming occurs as the eyes move under closed lids and the skeletal muscles are deeply relaxed

pulmonary circulation

the circulation of blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and back to the heart

biological clock

an innate mechanism of the body that regulates its rhythmic and periodic cycles

vital function

any function of the body that is essential for life

postsynaptic

being or occurring on the receiving end of a discharge across the synapse