Anatomy and Physiology of Animals/Glossary/G-H
A-B | C-D | E-F | G-H | I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q,R,S | T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| G | |
| Gall bladder | The small pouch that stores bile |
| Gamete | A reproductive cell - sperm or ovum |
| Ganglion | A group of nerve cells outside central nervous system |
| Gas exchange | The process in which oxygen from inhaled air is transferred into the blood and
carbon dioxide from the blood is transferred into the alveoli |
| Gastric juice | The digestive secretion produced by glands in the wall of the stomach |
| Gene | A biological unit of heredity |
| Gestation | The period of foetal development inside the uterus |
| Girdle | An encircling or arching arrangement of bones |
| Gizzard | The second part of the stomach of birds. In seed eating birds it contains pebbles and its muscular walls help grind the food |
| Gland | A collection of cells that secrete substances |
| Gliding joint | A synovial joint with flat articulating surfaces that permits limited movements e.g. between carpals and tarsals |
| Glomerular capsule | See Bowman’s capsule |
| Glomerulus | Tuft of capillaries surrounded by the Bowman’s capsule in nephron |
| Glottis | Vocal cords |
| Glucose | The smallest sugar. Major energy source for all cells |
| Glycerol | A molecule that combines with three fatty acid molecules to form a fat or oil |
| Glycogen | A highly branched polymer of glucose. Energy store in body |
| Goitre | A condition involving enlargement of thyroid gland |
| Golgi complex apparatus | A cell organelle concerned with packaging, processing and secretion of organic molecules |
| Gonads | The ovary and testes |
| Graafian follicle | The mature ovarian follicle |
| Grey matter | Area of the nervous system consisting of cell bodies |
| Growth hormone | A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Stimulates growth, particularly of the skeleton |
| H | |
| Haematocrit | The percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. Also called packed cell volume (PCV) |
| Haematuria | Urine that contains red blood cells |
| Haemoglobin | Pigment containing iron in red blood cells that allows them to carry oxygen |
| Haemolysis | The escape of haemoglobin from a red blood cell |
| Haemorrhage | Bleeding |
| Haploid | Having half the normal number of chromosomes, produced by meiosis |
| Haversian canal | The canal down centre of a Haversian system |
| Haversian system | The columns of boney tissue that make up compact bone |
| Heparin | A naturally occurring anticoagulant. Also used in laboratory tests for heavy metals |
| Hepatic | To do with the liver |
| Hepatic portal vessel | The blood vessel that carries blood from the intestines to the liver |
| Hinge joint | A synovial joint that allows movement in only one plane e.g. elbow |
| Histamine | A substance secreted from white cells and platelets that is involved in the inflammatory response |
| Hock | The joint (between the tarsals and metatarsals |
| Homoiothermic | ‘Warm-blooded’ animals that regulate their body temperature |
| Hormone | A secretion from an endocrine gland |
| Humerus | The bone of the upper forearm between the scapula and the radius and ulna |
| Hyperglycemia | Elevated blood glucose level |
| Hypertension | High blood pressure |
| Hyperthermia | High body temperature |
| Hypertonic | Having an osmotic pressure higher than a solution with which it is compared |
| Hypotension | Low blood pressure |
| Hypotonic | Having an osmotic pressure lower than a solution with which it is compared |