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4.6: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    90517
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    active transport
    the process of moving molecules across a cellular membrane through the use of cellular energy
    adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP)
    a coenzyme that works with enzymes to transfer energy by releasing phosphate groups
    anions
    negatively charged ions
    cations
    positively charged ions
    cytoplasm
    fluid inside a cell but outside the nucleus
    effector
    an organ or tissue that receives information from the control center and acts to bring about the changes needed for homeostasis
    extracellular fluid
    the fluid that surrounds the cells of the body
    feedback loop
    a part of homeostasis that provides a mechanism for the body to maintain stability
    homeostasis
    a state of balance
    homeostatic mechanism
    a process that maintains the stability of the internal environment in response to fluctuations to external environmental conditions
    homeostatic response system
    a self-regulating process in which the body maintains stability
    hydrostatic pressure
    the pressure that any fluid in a confined space exerts
    hyperosmolality
    a condition in which the concentration of solutes in a solution is higher than normal
    hypertonicity
    a condition in which the tonicity of a solution is higher than that of the cytoplasm of a cell
    hypoosmolality
    a state in which the concentration of solutes in a solution is lower than normal
    hypotonicity
    a state in which the tonicity of a solution is lower than that of the cytoplasm of a cell
    interstitial compartment
    fluid that surrounds tissue cells
    intracellular fluid
    fluid that is contained within the cells of the body
    intravascular compartment
    fluid inside the blood cells and plasma
    ions
    atoms or groups of atoms that have one or more positive or negative electrical charges
    iso-osmolality
    a state in which the concentration of solutes in a solution is equal
    isotonicity
    a state in which the tonicity of a solution is equal to that of the cytoplasm of a cell
    Na+K+ATPase pump
    a protein pump that acts to transport sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane by using adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP)
    negative feedback
    a homeostatic process that counteracts a change, bringing the parameter back toward its set point
    osmolality
    the number of solute particles per kilogram of solvent
    osmole
    a unit of osmotic concentration
    osmosis
    the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high concentration of water molecules to a solution with a lower concentration of water molecules, through a cell’s semipermeable membrane
    osmotic equilibrium
    a state when the concentration of a solute in water is the same on both sides of a semipermeable membrane
    osmotic pressure
    the minimum pressure that must be applied to a solution to halt the flow of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane
    positive feedback
    feedback that amplifies or magnifies a change
    receptor
    part of the homeostatic system that receives information regarding balance within the body
    semipermeable membrane
    a membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion or active transport
    solutes
    dissolved substances
    tonicity
    the ability of a solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water; it is relative to the cytoplasm of a cell
    transcellular compartment
    a small volume of fluid that is contained within certain body cavities and structures, also known as third space
    transient change
    a temporary change that can occur before the body returns to a steady state of homeostasis

    This page titled 4.6: Key Terms is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax.

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