| TERM | DEFINITION |
| hypoxemia | a lower than normal oxygen content of the blood as measured in an arterial blood sample |
| extracellular fluid | the water found outside the cells, including that in the intravascular and interstitial compartments |
| negative feedback mechanisms | mechanisms that tend to produce a response that balances a change in system |
| mediated transport mechanisms | mechanisms that use carrier molecules to move large, water soluble molecules or electrically charged molecules aross cell membranes. |
| semipermeable membrane | a membrane that allows some fluids and substances to pass through them but not others usually depending on size, shape, electrical charge, or other chemical properties. |
| afterload | the total resistance against which blood must be pumped; aka peripheral vascular resistance. |
| active transport | a carrier mediated process that can move substances against a concentration gradient. |
| peripheral vascular resistance | the total resistance against which blood must be pumped; aka afterload. |
| hypersensitivity reaction | an altered immunological response to ann antigen that results in a pathological immune response upon reexposure |
| metaplasia | a change from one cell type to another that is better able to tolerate adverse conditions; a conversion into a form that is not normal for that cell. |
| hyponatremic | a term describing a lower than normal concentration of sodium in the blood |
| lactic acidosis | a disorder characterized by an accumulation of lactic acid in the blood, resluting ina lowered pH in muscle and serum |
| hypokalemia | lower than normal concentration of potassium in the blood |
| inflammatory response | a tissue reaction to injury or to an antigen; it may include pain, swelling, itching, redness, heat and loss of function. |
| solutes | substances dissolved in solution |
| hyperplasia | excessive increase in the number of cells |
| atrophy | decrease in the size of a cell, which adversely effects cell function |
| immune response | a defense function of the body that produces antibodies to destroy invading antigens and malignancies |
| preload | the amount of blood returning to the ventricle. |
| alkalosis | a condition marked by a low concentration of hydrogen ions |
| T lymphocytes | the lymphocytes responsible for cell mediated immunity |
| ischemia | a state of insufficient perfusion of oxygenated blood to a body organ or part. |
| partial pressure | the pressure exerted by a single gas. |
| hypertrophy | increase in the size of a cell |
| necrosis | death of a cell or group of cells as the result of disease or injury |
| hyperkalemia | a higher than normal concentration of potassium in the blood |
| hypomagnesemia | a lower than normal concentration of magnesium in the blood plasma |
| osmosis | the diffusion of solvent (water) through a membrane from a less concentrated sollution to a more concentrated solution. |
| cardiac output | the volume of blood pumped each minute by the ventricle |
| pH | an inverse logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration |
| neoplasia | new and abnormal development of cells, which may be benign or malignant. |
| hypotonic | a term used to describe a solution that causes cells to swell |
| shock | a condition of severely inadequate blood flow to the body's peripheral tissues that is associated with life threatening cellular dysfunction; aka hypoperfusion. |
| hypertonic | a term used to describe a slutin that causes cells to shrink |
| interstitial fluid | the fluid found in all body cells |
| edema | the accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces |
| B lymphocytes | the lymphocytes responsible for antibody mediated immunity. |
| virulence | the relative strength of a pathogen. |
| osmolality | the osmotic pressure of a solution |
| dysplasia | abnormal cellular growth |
| complement system | a group of proteins that coat bacteria; the proteins then either help kill the bacteria directly, or they assist neutrophils (in the blood) and macrophages (in the tissues) to engulf and destroy the bacteria |
| hypoperfusion | severely inadequate circulation that results in insufficient delivery of oxygen and nutrients necessary for normal tissue and cellular function, aka shock |
| diffusion | the process by which solid, particulate matter in a fluid moves from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, resulting in an even distribution of the particles in the fluid |
| isotonic | a term used to describe a solution that causes cells neither to shrink nor swell. |
| anion | an ion with a negative charge |
| hypermagnesemia | a higher than normal concentration of magnesium in the blood |
| acidosis | a condition marked by a high concentration of hydogen ions. |
| antigens | substances (usually proteins) that cause formation of an antibody and that react specifically with that antibody |
| starling hyposthesis | the concept that describes the movement of fluid back and forth across the capillary wall (net filtration) |
| allergens | substance that can produce hypersensitivity reactions in the body |
| aerobic | of or pertaining to the presence of air or oxygen |
| hyperatremic | a term describing a higher than normal concentration of sodium in the blood |
| stroke volulme | the volume of blood ejected from one ventricle in a single heartbeat. |
| cation | an ion with a positive charge |
| multiple organ dysfunction syndrome | the progressive failure of two or more organ systems after a severe ilness or injury |
| anaerobic | of or pertaining to the absence of oxygen |
| hypercalcemia | a higher than normal concentration of calcium in the blood |
| facilitated diffusion | a carrier mediated process that moves substances into or out of cells from a high to low concentration |
