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Nickayla
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543
Science
Undergraduate 1
02/18/2011

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Term
fertility
Definition
A person’s ability to reproduce.
Term
conception
Definition
The fertilization of an ovum by a sperm.
Term
contraception (birth control)
Definition
Methods of preventing
conception.
Term
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Definition
A variety of
infections that can be acquired through sexual contact.
Term
barrier methods
Definition
Contraceptive methods that block the
meeting of egg and sperm by means of a physical barrier
(such as condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap), a chemical
barrier (such as spermicide), or both.
Term
hormonal methods
Definition
Contraceptive method that
introduces synthetic hormones into the woman’s system to
prevent ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or prevent a
fertilized egg from implanting.
Term
male condom
Definition
A single-use sheath of thin latex or other
material designed to fit over an erect penis and to catch
semen on ejaculation.
Term
spermicides
Definition
Substances designed to kill sperm.
Term
female condom
Definition
A single-use polyurethane sheath for
internal use during vaginal or anal intercourse to catch semen
on ejaculation.
Term
diaphragm
Definition
A latex, cup-shaped device designed to cover
the cervix and block access to the uterus; should always be
used with spermicide.
Term
toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Definition
A potentially lifethreatening
disease that occurs when specific bacterial toxins
multiply and spread to the bloodstream, most commonly
through improper use of tampons or diaphragms.
Term
cervical cap
Definition
A small cup made of latex that is designed to
fit snugly over the entire cervix.
Term
Lea’s Shield
Definition
A one-size-fits-all silicon rubber contraceptive
device that covers the cervix and is available by prescription.
Term
Today sponge
Definition
A contraceptive device, made of
polyurethane foam and containing nonoxynol 9, that fits over
the cervix to create a barrier against sperm.
Term
oral contraceptives
Definition
Pills taken daily for 3 weeks of
the menstrual cycle that prevent ovulation by regulating
hormones.
Term
Seasonale
Definition
An extended-cycle oral contraceptive that
causes a woman to menstruate only once every 3 months.
Term
sterilization
Definition
Permanent fertility control achieved through
surgical procedures.
Term
tubal ligation
Definition
Sterilization of the woman that involves
cutting and tying off or cauterizing the fallopian tubes.
Term
withdrawal
Definition
A method of contraception that involves
withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation;
also called coitus interruptus.
Term
emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
Definition
Drugs taken
within 3 days after intercourse to prevent fertilization or
implantation.
Term
fertility awareness methods (FAMs)
Definition
Several types of birth
control that require alteration of sexual behavior rather than
chemical or physical intervention in the reproductive process.
Term
cervical mucus method
Definition
A birth control method that relies
on observation of changes in cervical mucus to determine
when the woman is fertile so the couple can abstain from
penis–vagina contact during those times.
Term
body temperature method
Definition
A birth control method in
which a woman monitors her body temperature for the rise
that signals ovulation, so that the couple can abstain from
penis–vagina contact around this time.
Term
calendar method
Definition
A birth control method in which a
woman’s menstrual cycle is mapped on a calendar to
determine presumed fertile times, so that the couple can
abstain from penis–vagina contact during those times.
Term
abortion
Definition
The expulsion or removal of an embryo or fetus
from the uterus.
Term
vacuum aspiration
Definition
An abortion technique that uses gentle
suction to remove fetal tissue from the uterus.
Term
dilation and evacuation (D&E)
Definition
An abortion technique
that uses a combination of instruments and vacuum aspiration;
fetal tissue is both sucked and scraped out of the uterus.
Term
induction abortion
Definition
Abortion technique in which
chemicals are injected into the uterus through the uterine
wall; labor begins, and the woman delivers a dead fetus.
Term
hysterotomy
Definition
The surgical removal of the fetus from the
uterus.
Term
intact dilation and extraction (D&X)
Definition
A late-term abortion
procedure in which the body of the fetus is extracted up to
the head and then the contents of the cranium are aspirated.
Term
mifepristone
Definition
A steroid hormone that induces abortion by
blocking the action of progesterone.
Term
preconception care
Definition
Medical care received prior to
becoming pregnant that helps a woman assess and address
potential maternal health issues.
Term
midwives
Definition
Experienced practitioners who assist with
pregnancy and delivery.
Term
teratogenic
Definition
Causing birth defects; may refer to drugs,
environmental chemicals, X rays, or diseases.
Term
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Definition
A collection of symptoms,
including mental retardation, that can appear in infants of
women who drink alcohol during pregnancy.
Term
toxoplasmosis
Definition
A disease caused by an organism found in
cat feces that, when contracted by a pregnant woman, may
result in stillbirth or an infant with mental retardation or birth
defects.
Term
Down syndrome
Definition
A genetic disorder characterized by
mental retardation and a variety of physical abnormalities.
Term
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Definition
Hormone
detectable in blood or urine samples of a mother within the
first few weeks of pregnancy.
Term
trimester
Definition
A 3-month segment of pregnancy; used to
describe specific developmental changes that occur in the
embryo or fetus.
Term
embryo
Definition
The fertilized egg from conception until the end of
2 months’ development.
Term
fetus
Definition
The term for a developing baby from the third month
of pregnancy until birth.
Term
placenta
Definition
The network of blood vessels connected to the
umbilical cord that carries nutrients, oxygen, and wastes
between the developing infant and the mother.
Term
“fourth trimester”
Definition
The first 6 weeks of an infant’s life
outside the uterus.
Term
triple marker screen (TMS)
Definition
A maternal blood test that
can be used to help identify fetuses with certain birth defects
and genetic abnormalities.
Term
amniocentesis
Definition
A medical test in which a small amount
of fluid is drawn from the amniotic sac to test for Down
syndrome and other genetic abnormalities.
Term
amniotic sac
Definition
The protective pouch surrounding the baby.
Term
episiotomy
Definition
A straight incision in the mother’s perineum in
the area between the vulva and the anus, sometimes performed
toward the end of the second stage of labor to prevent the
tearing of vaginal tissues and to speed delivery.
Term
postpartum depression
Definition
Energy depletion, anxiety, mood
swings, and depression that women may feel during the postpartum
period.
Term
preeclampsia
Definition
A complication in pregnancy characterized
by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and edema.
Term
eclampsia
Definition
Potentially fatal complication resulting from untreated
preeclampsia; involves maternal strokes and seizures.
Term
cesarean section (C-section)
Definition
A surgical birthing
procedure in which a baby is removed through an incision
made in the mother’s abdominal and uterine walls.
Term
miscarriage
Definition
Loss of the fetus before it is viable; also called
spontaneous abortion.
Term
Rh factor
Definition
A blood protein related to the production of
antibodies. If an Rh-negative mother is pregnant with an
Rh-positive fetus, the mother will manufacture antibodies
that can harm the fetus.
Term
ectopic pregnancy
Definition
Implantation of a fertilized egg outside
the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube; a medical emergency
that can end in death from hemorrhage or peritonitis.
Term
stillbirth
Definition
The birth of a dead baby.
Term
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Definition
The sudden
death of an infant under 1 year of age for no apparent reason.
Term
infertility
Definition
Difficulties in conceiving.
Term
endometriosis
Definition
A disorder in which uterine lining tissue
establishes itself outside the uterus; the leading cause of
infertility in women in the United States.
Term
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Definition
An infection that
scars the fallopian tubes and consequently blocks sperm
migration, causing infertility.
Term
low sperm count
Definition
A sperm count below 20 million sperm
per milliliter of semen; the leading cause of infertility in men.
Term
fertility drugs
Definition
Hormones that stimulate ovulation in
women who are not ovulating; often responsible for multiple
births.
Term
alternative insemination
Definition
Fertilization accomplished by
depositing a partner’s or a donor’s semen into a woman’s
vagina via a thin tube; almost always done in a doctor’s
office.
Term
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Definition
Fertilization of an egg in a
nutrient medium and subsequent transfer back to the
mother’s body.
Term
gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
Definition
Procedure in
which an egg harvested from the woman’s ovary is placed with
the man’s sperm in her fallopian tube, where it is fertilized and
then migrates to the uterus for implantation.
Term
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Definition
Fertilization
accomplished by injecting a sperm cell directly into an egg.
Term
nonsurgical embryo transfer
Definition
In vitro fertilization of a
donor egg by the male partner’s (or donor’s) sperm and
subsequent transfer to the female partner’s or another
woman’s uterus.
Term
embryo transfer
Definition
Artificial insemination of a donor with
the male partner’s sperm; after a time, the embryo is
transferred from the donor to the female partner’s uterus.
Term
embryo adoption programs
Definition
A procedure whereby an
infertile couple is able to purchase frozen embryos donated
by another couple.
Term
endogenous organisms
Definition
Millions of microorganisms
live in and on our bodies all the time, usually in peaceful
coexistence and to our mututal benefit.
Term
Exogenous microorganisms
Definition
organisms that do not
normally inhabit the body.
Term
pathogen
Definition
A disease-causing agent.
Term
pandemic
Definition
Global epidemic of a disease.
Term
virulent
Definition
Strong enough to overcome host resistance and
cause disease.
Term
multifactorial disease
Definition
Disease caused by interactions of
several factors.
Term
autoinoculate
Definition
Transmit a pathogen from one part of your
own body to another part.
Term
Immunity
Definition
a condition of being able
to resist a particular disease by counteracting
the substance that produces the
disease.
Term
immunoglobulins
Definition
immunoglobulins, nine chemically
distinct protein substances, each of which plays a role
in neutralizing, setting up for destruction, or actually
destroying antigens.
Term
antigen
Definition
Substance capable of triggering an immune
response.
Term
antibodies
Definition
Substances produced by the body that are
individually matched to specific antigens.
Term
humoral immune responses
Definition
It considers the
size and shape of the invader, verifies that the antigen is not
part of the body itself, and then produces a specific antibody
to destroy or weaken the antigen.
Term
Toxins
Definition
Posions made by bacteria.
Term
lymphocytes
Definition
specialized white blood cells)
Term
macrophages
Definition
a type
of phagocytic, or cell-eating, white blood cell
Term
vaccination
Definition
Inoculation with killed or weakened pathogens
or similar, less dangerous antigens to prevent or lessen the
effects of some disease.
Term
allergy
Definition
Hypersensitive reaction to a specific antigen or
allergen in the environment, in which the body produces
excessive antibodies to that antigen or allergen.
Term
histamine
Definition
Chemical substance that dilates blood vessels,
increases mucous secretions, and produces other symptoms
of allergies.
Term
hay fever
Definition
A chronic respiratory allergic disorder that is
most prevalent when ragweed and flowers bloom.
Term
bacteria (singular: bacterium)
Definition
Simple, single-celled
microscopic organisms. About 100 known species of bacteria
cause disease in humans.
Term
staphylococcus
Definition
A round bacterium, usually found in
clusters.
Term
toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
Definition
A potentially lifethreatening
bacterial infection that is most common in
menstruating women who use tampons.
Term
streptococcus
Definition
A round bacterium, usually found in chain
formation.
Term
meningitis
Definition
An infection of the meninges, the membranes
that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Term
pneumonia
Definition
Disease of the lungs characterized by chronic
cough, chest pain, chills, high fever, and fluid accumulation; may
be caused by bacteria, viruses, chemicals, or other substances.
Term
tuberculosis (TB)
Definition
A disease caused by bacterial
infiltration of the respiratory system.
Term
peptic ulcer
Definition
Damage to the stomach or intestinal lining,
usually caused by digestive juices; most ulcers result from
infection by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
Term
viruses
Definition
Minute microbes consisting of DNA or RNA that
live inside another cell and use the cell’s resources to
reproduce themselves.
Term
incubation period
Definition
The time between exposure to a
disease and the appearance of symptoms.
Term
measles
Definition
A viral disease that produces symptoms including
an itchy rash and a high fever.
Term
rubella (German measles)
Definition
A milder form of measles
that causes a rash and mild fever in children and may cause
damage to a fetus or a newborn baby.
Term
fungi
Definition
A group of multicellular and unicellular organisms
that obtain their food by infiltrating the bodies of other
organisms, both living and dead; several microscopic varieties
are pathogenic.
Term
protozoa
Definition
Microscopic single-celled organisms that can be
pathogenic.
Term
parasitic worms
Definition
The largest of the pathogens, most of
which are more a nuisance than a threat.
Term
prion
Definition
A recently identified self-replicating, protein-based
pathogen.
Term
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Definition
Infectious
diseases transmitted through some form of intimate, usually
sexual, contact.
Term
chlamydia
Definition
Bacterially caused STI of the urogenital tract.
Term
gonorrhea
Definition
Second most common STI in the United States;
if untreated, may cause sterility.
Term
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Definition
Term used to
describe various infections of the female reproductive tract.
Term
syphilis
Definition
One of the most widespread STIs; characterized by
distinct phases and potentially serious results.
Term
genital herpes
Definition
STI caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Term
genital warts
Definition
Warts that appear in the genital area or the
anus; caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Term
human papillomavirus (HPV)
Definition
A group of viruses that
cause genital warts.
Term
candidiasis
Definition
Yeastlike fungal disease often transmitted
sexually. Also known as moniliasis.
Term
trichomoniasis
Definition
Protozoan STI characterized by foamy,
yellowish discharge and unpleasant odor.
Term
pubic lice
Definition
Parasitic insects that can inhabit various body
areas, especially the genitals.
Term
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Definition
Extremely virulent sexually transmitted disease that renders
the immune system inoperative.
Term
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Definition
The slow-acting
virus that causes AIDS.
Term
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs)
Definition
A collection of chronic lung diseases including asthma,
emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Term
bronchitis
Definition
Inflammation of the lining of the bronchial
tubes.
Term
emphysema
Definition
A respiratory disease in which the alveoli
become distended or ruptured and are no longer functional.
Term
alveoli
Definition
Tiny air sacs of the lungs where gas exchange occurs
(oxygen enters the body and carbon dioxide is removed).
Term
asthma
Definition
A chronic respiratory disease characterized by
attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing
spasms.
Term
sleep apnea
Definition
Disorder in which a person has numerous
episodes of breathing stoppage during a night’s sleep.
Term
migraine
Definition
A condition characterized by localized headaches
that possibly result from alternating dilation and constriction
of blood vessels.
Term
epilepsy
Definition
A neurological disorder caused by abnormal
electrical brain activity; can be accompanied by altered
consciousness or convulsions.
Term
Parkinson’s disease
Definition
A chronic, progressive neurological
condition that causes tremors and other symptoms.
Term
multiple sclerosis (MS)
Definition
A degenerative neurological
disease in which myelin, an insulator of nerves, breaks
down.
Term
lactose intolerance
Definition
Inability to produce lactase, an
enzyme needed to convert milk sugar into glucose.
Term
ulcerative colitis
Definition
An inflammatory disorder that affects the
mucous membranes of the large intestine, producing bloody
diarrhea.
Term
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Definition
A condition of unknown
cause characterized by extreme fatigue that is not caused by
other illness.
Term
repetitive stress injury (RSI)
Definition
An injury to nerves, soft
tissue, or joints due to the physical stress of repeated
motions.
Term
carpal tunnel syndrome
Definition
A common occupational injury
in which the median nerve in the wrist becomes irritated,
causing numbness, tingling, and pain in the fingers and
hands.
Term
cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Definition
Disease of the heart and blood vessels.
Term
cardiovascular system
Definition
A complex system consisting of the heart and blood vessels. It transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, metabolic wastes, and enzymes throughout the body and regulates temperature, the water levels of cells, and the acidity levels of body components.
Term
atria
Definition
The two upper chambers of the heart, which receive blood.
Term
ventricles
Definition
The two lower chambers of the heart, which pump blood through the blood vessels.
Term
arteries
Definition
Vessels that carry blood away from the heart to other regions of the body.
Term
tricuspid valve
Definition
located between the right atrium and the right ventricle),
Term
pulmonary valve
Definition
(between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery),
Term
mitral valve
Definition
between the left atrium and left ventricle),
Term
aortic valve
Definition
between the left ventricle and the
aorta)
Term
arterioles
Definition
Branches of the arteries.
Term
capillaries
Definition
Minute blood vessels that branch out from the arterioles; their thin walls permit exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products among body cells.
Term
veins
Definition
Vessels that carry blood back to the heart from other regions of the body.
Term
venules
Definition
Branches of the veins.
Term
sinoatrial node (SA node)
Definition
Cluster of electricity-generating cells that acts as a natural pacemaker for the heart.
Term
Hyperlipidemia
Definition
an abnormally high blood lipid level.
Term
arteriosclerosis
Definition
A general term for thickening and hardening of the arteries.
Term
atherosclerosis
Definition
Condition characterized by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin in the inner lining of an artery.
Term
plaque
Definition
Buildup of deposits in the arteries.
Term
metabolic syndrome
Definition
A group of three or more characteristics, including abdominal obesity and high blood pressure, that can cause metabolic problems that raise CVD risk.
Term
myocardial infarction (MI; heart attack)
Definition
A blockage of normal blood supply to an area in the heart.
Term
ischemia
Definition
Reduced oxygen supply to a body part or organ.
Term
angina pectoris
Definition
Chest pain occurring as a result of reduced oxygen flow to the heart.
Term
arrhythmia
Definition
An irregularity in heartbeat.
Term
tachycardia
Definition
abnormally fast heartbeat
Term
bradycardia
Definition
abnormally slow heartbeat
Term
fibrillation
Definition
A sporadic, quivering pattern of heartbeat that results in extreme inefficiency in moving blood through the cardiovascular system.
Term
congestive heart failure (CHF)
Definition
An abnormal cardiovascular condition that reflects impaired cardiac pumping and blood flow; pooling blood leads to congestion in body tissues.
Term
congenital heart disease
Definition
Heart disease that is present at birth.
Term
rheumatic heart disease
Definition
A heart disease caused by untreated streptococcal infection of the throat.
Term
stroke
Definition
A condition occurring when the brain is damaged by disrupted blood supply.
Term
aneurysm
Definition
A weakened blood vessel that may bulge under pressure and, in severe cases, burst.
Term
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Definition
Brief interruption of the blood supply to the brain that causes only temporary impairment; often an indicator of impending major stroke.
Term
low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
Definition
Compounds that facilitate the transport of cholesterol in the blood to the body’s cells and cause the cholesterol to build up on artery walls.
Term
high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
Definition
Compounds that facilitate the transport of cholesterol in the blood to the liver for metabolism and elimination from the body.
Term
triglycerides
Definition
The most common form of fat in the body;
excess calories are converted into triglycerides and stored as
body fat.
Term
hypertension
Definition
Sustained elevated blood pressure.
Term
systolic pressure
Definition
The upper number in the fraction that measures blood pressure, indicating pressure on the walls of the arteries when the heart contracts.
Term
diastolic pressure
Definition
The lower number in the fraction that measures blood pressure, indicating pressure on the walls of the arteries during the relaxation phase of heart activity.
Term
electrocardiogram (ECG)
Definition
A record of the electrical activity of the heart; may be measured during a stress test.
Term
angiography
Definition
A technique for examining blockages in
heart arteries.
Term
positron emission tomography (PET)
Definition
Method for
measuring heart activity by injecting a patient with a
radioactive tracer that is scanned electronically to produce
a three-dimensional image of the heart and arteries.
Term
coronary bypass surgery
Definition
A surgical technique whereby a
blood vessel is implanted to bypass a clogged coronary artery.
Term
angioplasty
Definition
A technique in which a catheter with a balloon
at the tip is inserted into a clogged artery; the balloon is
inflated to flatten fatty deposits against artery walls, which
allows blood to flow more freely. A stent is typically inserted
to keep the artery open.
Term
insulin
Definition
A hormone produced by the pancreas; required
by the body for the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Term
diabetes mellitus
Definition
A disease in which the pancreas fails
to produce enough insulin or the body fails to use insulin
effectively.
Term
hyperglycemia
Definition
Elevated blood sugar levels.
Term
cancer
Definition
A large group of diseases characterized by the
uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
Term
neoplasm
Definition
A new growth of tissue that serves no
physiological function and results from uncontrolled,
abnormal cellular development.
Term
tumor
Definition
A neoplasmic mass that grows more rapidly than
surrounding tissue.
Term
malignant
Definition
Very dangerous or harmful; refers to a
cancerous tumor.
Term
benign
Definition
Harmless; refers to a noncancerous tumor.
Term
biopsy
Definition
Microscopic examination of tissue to determine
whether a cancer is present.
Term
metastasis
Definition
Process by which cancer spreads from one area
to different areas of the body.
Term
mutant cells
Definition
Cells that differ in form, quality, or function
from normal cells.
Term
carcinogens
Definition
Cancer-causing agents.
Term
oncogenes
Definition
Suspected cancer-causing genes.
Term
malignant melanoma
Definition
A virulent cancer of the
melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) of the skin.
Term
Pap test
Definition
A procedure in which cells taken from the cervical
region are examined for abnormal cellular activity.
Term
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Definition
A device that uses
magnetic fields, radio waves, and computers to generate an
image of internal tissues of the body for diagnostic purposes
without the use of radiation.
Term
computed tomography scan (CT scan)
Definition
A scan by a
machine that uses radiation to view internal organs not
normally visible on X-ray images.
Term
radiotherapy
Definition
Use of radiation to kill cancerous cells.
Term
chemotherapy
Definition
Use of drugs to kill cancerous cells.
Term
autonomy
Definition
independence, and greater responsibility
Term
biorhythms
Definition
(predictable daily patterns of physical,
emotional, and mental activity),
Term
Wellness
Definition
making healthy
choices and achieving balance. It includes reducing stress in positive ways,
keeping fit, maintaining good sexual health, and taking a sensible approach
to alcohol and other drugs.
Term
beta-endorphins
Definition
natural narcotics that cause feelings of contentment and
happiness and help manage anxiety and depression.
Term
overweight
Definition
Increased body weight in relation to height.
Term
body mass index (BMI)
Definition
A technique of weight assessment
based on the relationship of weight to height.
Term
obesity
Definition
A weight disorder characterized by an accumulation
of fat beyond that considered normal for a person based on
age, sex, and body type. Obesity is generally defined as a
body mass index of 30 or more.
Term
body composition
Definition
(the ratio of lean body mass to fat body
mass).
Term
waist circumference measurement
Definition
Assessment of
healthy body fat by measurement of the circumference of
the waist.
Term
waist-to-hip ratio
Definition
Ratio that indicates increased risks due
to unhealthy fat distribution.
Term
hydrostatic weighing techniques
Definition
Method of determining
body fat by measuring the amount of water displaced when
a person is completely submerged.
Term
skinfold caliper technique
Definition
A method of determining
body fat whereby folds of skin and fat at various points on
the body are grasped between thumb and forefinger and
measured with calipers.
Term
dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
Definition
Technique
using low-dose X rays that read bone and soft tissue mass at
the same time.
Term
near-infrared interactance (NIR)
Definition
Fiberoptic measurement
of tissue composition.
Term
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Definition
Diagnostic
technique using magnetic fields, which can be used to
measure body fat.
Term
Bod Pod/Pea Pod
Definition
A body fat assessment tool that
measures the air your body displaces in a sealed chamber.
Term
bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
Definition
A technique of
body fat assessment in which electrical currents are passed
through fat and lean tissue.
Term
total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC)
Definition
Technique
using an electromagnetic force field to assess relative body fat.
Term
hunger
Definition
An inborn physiological response to nutritional
needs.
Term
appetite
Definition
A learned response that is tied to an emotional or
psychological craving for food; often unrelated to nutritional
needs.
Term
satiety
Definition
The feeling of fullness or satisfaction at the end
of a meal.
Term
basal metabolic rate (BMR)
Definition
The energy expenditure
of the body under resting conditions at normal room
temperature.
Term
yo-yo diets
Definition
Cycles in which people repeatedly gain weight
and then starve themselves to lose weight. This lowers their
BMR, which makes regaining weight even more likely.
Term
social physique anxiety (SPA)
Definition
a desire to look good that has a destructive effect on a person's ability to function effectively in social interactions and relationships.
Term
calorie
Definition
Unit of measurement indicating the amount of
energy in a particular food that can be supplied to the body.
Term
resting metabolic rate (RMR)
Definition
The energy expenditure of
the body under BMR conditions plus other daily sedentary
activities.
Term
exercise metabolic rate (EMR)
Definition
The energy expenditure
that occurs during exercise.
Term
very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs)
Definition
Diets with a daily caloric
value of 400 to 700 calories.
Term
ketosis
Definition
A condition in which the body adapts to prolonged
fasting or carbohydrate deprivation by converting body fat to
ketones, which can be used as fuel for some brain activity.
Term
restrictive surgeries
Definition
gastric banding
Term
malabsorption surgeries
Definition
gastric bypass
Term
bias
Definition
Negative or unfair attitudes or actions stemming
from prejudice.
Term
anorexia nervosa
Definition
Eating disorder characterized by
excessive preoccupation with food, self-starvation, and/or
extreme exercising to achieve weight loss.
Term
bulimia nervosa
Definition
Eating disorder characterized by binge
eating followed by inappropriate measures, such as purging,
to prevent weight gain.
Term
binge eating disorder (BED)
Definition
Eating disorder characterized
by recurrent binge eating, without excessive measures to
prevent weight gain.
Term
Stress
Definition
The experience of a perceived threat (real or imagined)to one's well being, resulting from a series of physiological responses and adaptations.
Term
Stressor
Definition
A physcial, social, or psychological event or condition that we perceive challenges or threatens us and that produces a stress response.
Term
Stress response
Definition
The series of physiological changes and adaptations that result from a stressor.
Term
Coping
Definition
The act of managing events or conditions to lessen the physical or psychological effects of excess stress.
Term
Eustress
Definition
Stress that presents opportunities for personal growth; positive stress.
Term
Distress
Definition
Stress that can have a detrimental effect on health; negative stress.
Term
Flight-or-fight response
Definition
Physiological arousal response in which the body prepares to combat or escape a real or perceived threat.
Term
Homeostasis
Definition
a balanced physical state in which all the body's systems function smoothly.
Term
Adaptive response
Definition
Form of adjustment in which the body attempts to restore homeostasis.
Term
General Adaptiation Syndrome (GAS)
Definition
The pattern followed in the physiological response to stress, consisting of the alarm, resistance, and exhaustion phases.
Term
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Definition
The portion of the central nervous system regulating body functions that a person does not normally consciously control.
Term
Sympathetic Nervous System
Definition
Branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for stress arousal.
Term
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Definition
Branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for slowing systems stimulated by the stress response.
Term
Hypothalamus
Definition
A structure in the brain that controls the sympathetic nervous system and directs the stress response.
Term
Epinephrine
Definition
Also called adrenaline, a hormone that stiumulates body systems in response to stress.
Term
Cortisol
Definition
Hormone released by the adrenal glands that makes stored nutrients more readily available to meet energy demands.
Term
Allostatic Load
Definition
Wear and tear on the body caused by prolonged or excessive stress responses.
Term
Immunocompetence
Definition
The ability of the immune system to respond to assaults.
Term
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
Definition
Science of the interaction between the mind and the immune system.
Term
Diabetes
Definition
Disease in which the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or to use insulin effectively.
Term
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Definition
An acute stress disorder caused by experiencing an extremely traumatic event, such as rape or combat
Term
Overload
Definition
A condition in which a person feels overly pressured by demands.
Term
Burnout
Definition
A state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress.
Term
Background distressors
Definition
Environmental stressors of which perople are often unaware.
Term
Appraisal
Definition
The interpretation and evaluation of information provided to the brain by the senses.
Term
Suicidal ideation
Definition
A desire to die and thoughts about suicide.
Term
Hostility
Definition
The cognitive, affective, an behavioral tendencies toward anger and cynicism.
Term
Psychological hardiness
Definition
A personality trait characterized by control, commitment, and the embrace of challenge.
Term
Psychological stress
Definition
Stress caused by being in an environment perceived to be beyond one's control and endangering one's well-being.
Term
Stress inoculation
Definition
Stress management technique in which a person consciously tries to prepare ahead of time for potential stressors.
Term
Cognitive Restructuring
Definition
The modification of thoughts, ideas, and beliefs that contribute to stress.
Term
Sympathomimetics
Definition
Foods substances that can produce stress-like responses.
Term
Visualization
Definition
The creation of mental images to promote relaxation.
Term
Meditation
Definition
A relaxation technique that involves deep breathing and concentration.
Term
Biofeedback
Definition
A technique that involves using a machine to self-monitor physical responses to stress.
Term
Mindfulness
Definition
The ability to be fully present in the moment.
Term
Physical activity
Definition
Any bodily movement that is produced by the contraction of skeletal muscles and that substantially increases energy expenditure.
Term
Exercise
Definition
Planned, structured, and repetitive bodily movement done to improve or maintain one or more components of physical fitness.
Term
Physical fitness
Definition
The ability to perform regular moderate to vigorous levels of physical activity without excessive fatigue.
Term
Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Definition
The ability of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels to supply oxygen to skeletal muscles during sustained physical activity.
Term
Osteroporosis
Definition
A disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, which increase risk of fracture.
Term
Aerobic exercise
Definition
Any type of exercise that increases heart rate.
Term
Aerobic capacity
Definition
The current functional status of a person's cardiovascular system; measured as VO2max.
Term
Graded exercise test
Definition
A test of aerobic capacity administered by a physician, exercise physiologist, or other trained person; two common forms are the treadmill running test and the stationary bike test.
Term
Target heart rate zone
Definition
Calculated as a percentage of maximum heart rate (220 minus age); heart rate (pulse) is taken during aerobic exercise to check whether exercise intensity is at the desired level (e.g. 60 percent of maximum heart rate.)
Term
Muscular strength
Definition
The amount of force that a muscle is capable of exerting.
Term
One repetition maximum (1 RM)
Definition
The amount of weight or resistance that can be lifted or moved once, but not twice; a common measure of strength.
Term
Muscular endurance
Definition
A muscle's ability to exert force repeatedly without fatiguing.
Term
Resistance exercise program
Definition
A regular program of exercises designed to improve muscular strength and endurance in the major muscle groups.
Term
Hypertrophy
Definition
Increased size (girth) of a muscle.
Term
Isometric muscle action
Definition
Force produced without any resulting joint movement.
Term
Concentric muscle action
Definition
Force produced while the muscle is shortening.
Term
Eccentric muscle action
Definition
Force produced while the muscle is lengthening.
Term
Flexibility
Definition
The measure of the range of motion, or the amount of movement possible, at a particular joint.
Term
Static stretching
Definition
Techniques that gradually lengthen a muscle to an elongated position (to the point of discomfort) and hold that position for 10 to 30 seconds.
Term
Dynamic stretching
Definition
Moving parts of your body in a gradual and controlled manner, taking you to the limits of your range of motion.
Term
Yoga
Definition
A variety of Indian traditions geared toward self-discipline and the realization of unity; includes forms of exercise widely practiced in the West today that promote balance, coordination, flexibility, and meditation throught postures and breathing exercises.
Term
Tai Chi
Definition
An ancient Chinese form of exercise, originally developed as a martial art, that promotes balance, coordination, flexibility, and stress reduction through a series of flowing postures and movements.
Term
Pilates
Definition
Exercise program developed by Joseph Pilates that combines stretching with movement against resistance, aided by devies duch as tension springs and heavy rubber bands.
Term
Overuse injuries
Definition
Injuries that result from the cumulative effects of the day-after-day stresses placed on tendons, muscles, and joints.
Term
Traumatic injuries
Definition
Injuries that are accidental and occur suddenly and violently (such as fractured bones, ruptured tendons, and sprained ligaments.)
Term
RICE
Definition
Acronym for the standard first aide treatment for virtually all traumatic and overuse injuries: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Term
Heat cramps
Definition
Muscle cramps that occur during or following exercise in warm or hot weather.
Term
Heat exhaustion
Definition
A heat stress illness caused by significant dehydration resulting from exercise in warm or hot conditions; frequent precursor to heatstroke.
Term
Heatstroke
Definition
A deadly heat stress illness resulting from dehydation and overexertion in warm or hot conditions; can cause body core temperature to rise from normal to 105 degrees F to 110 degress F in just a few minutes.
Term
Hypothermia
Definition
Potentially fatal condition caused by abnormally low body core temperature.
Term
Hunger
Definition
The physiological impulse to seek food, prompted by the lack or shortage of basic foods needed to provide the energy and nutrients that support health.
Term
Appetite
Definition
The desire to eat; normally accompanies hunger but it is more psychological than physiological.
Term
Nutrition
Definition
The science that investigates the relationship between physiological function and the essential elements of foods eaten.
Term
Nutrients
Definition
The constituents of food that sustain humans physiologically: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Term
Calorie
Definition
A unit of measure that indicates the amount of energy obtained from a particular food.
Term
Digestive process
Definition
The process by which the body breaks down foods and either absorbs or excretes them.
Term
Dehydration
Definition
Abnormal depletion of body fluids; a result of lack of water.
Term
Proteins
Definition
The essential constituents of nearly all body cells; necessary for the development and repair of bone, muslce, skin, and blood; the key elements of antibodies, enzymes, and hormones.
Term
Amino acids
Definition
The building locks of protein.
Term
Essential amino acids
Definition
Nine of the basic nitrogen-containing building blocks of protein, which must be obtained from foods to ensure health.
Term
Complete (high-quality) proteins
Definition
Proteins that contain all nine of the essential amino acids.
Term
Incomplete proteins
Definition
Proteins that lack one or more of the essential amino acids.
Term
Carbohydrates
Definition
Basic nutrients that supply the body with glucose, the energy form most commonly used to sustain normal activity.
Term
Simple sugars
Definition
A major type of carbohydrate, which provide short-term energy.
Term
Complex carbohydrates
Definition
A major type of carbohydrate, which provide sustained energy.
Term
Monosaccharides
Definition
Simple sugars that contain only one molecure of sugar.
Term
Disaccharides
Definition
Combinations of two monosaccharides.
Term
Polysaccharides
Definition
Complex carbohydrates formed by the combination of long chains of sugar molecules.
Term
Cellulose
Definition
Fiber; a major form of complex carbohydrates.
Term
Glycogen
Definition
The polysaccharide form in which glucose is stored in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in muscles.
Term
Fiber
Definition
The indigestible portion of plant foods that helps move food through the digestive system and softens stools by absorbing water.
Term
Fats
Definition
Basic nutrients composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms; needed for the proper functioning of cells, insulation of body organs against shock, maintenance of body temperature, healthy skin and hair.
Term
Triglycerides
Definition
The most common form of fat in the body; excess calories consumed are converted into triglycerides and stored as body fat.
Term
Cholesterol
Definition
A form of fat circulating in the blood that can accumulate of the inner walls of arteries, causing a narrowing of the channel through which blood flows.
Term
Plaque
Definition
Cholesterol buildup on the inner walls of arteries; a major cause of atherosclerosis.
Term
High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
Definition
Compounds that facilitate the transport of cholesterol in the blood to the liver for metabolism and elimination from the body.
Term
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
Definition
Compounds that facilitate the transport of cholesterol in the blood to the body's cells.
Term
Saturated fats
Definition
Fats that are unable to hold any more hydrogen in their chemical structure; derived mostly from animal sources; solid at room temperature.
Term
Unsaturated fats
Definition
Fats that do have room for more hydrogen in their chemical sturcture; derived mostly from plants; liquid at room temperature.
Term
Trans fats (trans fatty acids)
Definition
Fatty acids that are produced when polyunsaturated oils are hydrogenated to make them more solid.
Term
Vitamins
Definition
Essential organic compounds that promote growth and help maintain life and health.
Term
Hypervitaminosis
Definition
A toxic condition caused by overuse of vitamin supplements.
Term
Minerals
Definition
Inorganic, indestructible elements that aid physiological processes.
Term
Macrominerals
Definition
Minerals that the body needs in fairly large amounts.
Term
Trace minerals
Definition
Minerals that the body needs in only very small amounts.
Term
Anemia
Definition
Iron-deficiency disease that results from the body's inability to produce hemoglobin.
Term
Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs)
Definition
The average daily intakes of energy and nutrients considered adequate to meet the needs of most healthy people in the United States under usualy conditions.
Term
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
Definition
A set of nutritional values; a new combines listing, inlcuding more than 26 essential vitamins and minerals, that applies to healthy people.
Term
U.S. Recommended Daily Allowances (USRDA)
Definition
Dietary guidelines developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Term
Adequare Intake (AI)
Definition
Best estimates of nutritional needs.
Term
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)
Definition
The highest amount of a nutrient that an individual can safely consume daily without risking adverse health effects.
Term
Reference Daily Intakes (RDIs)
Definition
Recommended amounts of 19 vitamins and minerals, also known as micronutrients.
Term
Daily Reference Values (DRVs)
Definition
Recommended amounts for macronutrients such as total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.
Term
Daily Values (DVs)
Definition
Percentages listed as "% DV" on food and supplement labels; made up of the RDIs and DRVs together.
Term
Vegetarian
Definition
A term with a variety of meanings. Vegans avoid all foods of animal origin; lacto-vegetarians do not eat meat or eggs but do eat daily products; ove-vegetarians avord flesh foods and daily products but do eat eggs; lacto-ovo-vegetarians avoid flesh foods but eat both dairy products and eggs; pesco-vegetarians avord red meat but eat fish, dairy products, and eggs; semivegetarians eat chicken, fish, dairy products, and eggs.
Term
Functional foods
Definition
Foods believed to have specific health benefits and/or to prevent disease.
Term
Antioxidants
Definition
Substances believed to protect active people from oxidative stress and resultant tissue damage at the cellular level.
Term
Carotenoids
Definition
Fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant properties.
Term
Folate
Definition
A type of vitamin B believed to decrease levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been linked to vascular diseases.
Term
Probiotics
Definition
Live microorganisms found in or added to fermented foods; they optimize the bacterial environment in our intestines.
Term
Dietary supplements
Definition
Vitamins and minerals taken by mouth that are intended to supplement existing diets.
Term
Food irradation
Definition
Treating foods with gamma radiation from radioactive cobalt, cesium, or other sources of X rays to kill microorganisms.
Term
Food allergies
Definition
Overreaction by the body to normally harmless proteins, which are perceived as allergens. In response, the body produces antibodies, triggering allergic symptoms.
Term
Food intolerance
Definition
Adverse effects resulting when people who lack the digestive chemicals needed to break down certain substances eat those substances.
Term
Organic
Definition
Grown without use of pesticides, chemicals, or hormones.
Term
Health
Definition
The ever-changing process of achieving individual potential in the physical, social, emotional, mental, spiritual, and environmental dimensions.
Term
Wellness
Definition
The achievement of the highest level of health possible in each of several dimensions.
Term
Morbidity
Definition
The relative incidence of disease.
Term
Mortality
Definition
The proportion of deaths to population.
Term
Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Definition
Tasks of everyday living, such as bathing and walking up and down stairs.
Term
Mental health
Definition
The thinking part of psychosocial health; includes your values, attitudes, and beliefs.
Term
Health Disparities
Definition
Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other health conditions among specific population groups.
Term
Health Promotion
Definition
Combined educational, organizational, policy, financial, and environmental supports to help people reduce negative health behaviors and promote positive change.
Term
Risk behaviors
Definition
Behaviors that increase susceptibility to negative health outcomes.
Term
Disease prevention
Definition
Actions or behaviors designed to keep people from getting sick.
Term
Primary prevention
Definition
Action designed to stop problems before they start.
Term
Secondary prevention (Intervention)
Definition
Intervention early in the development of a health problem.
Term
Tertiary prevention
Definition
Treatment and/or rehabilitation efforts.
Term
Incidence
Definition
The number of new cases.
Term
Prevalence
Definition
The number of exisiting cases.
Term
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Definition
cademically trained health educator who has passed a national competency examination for prevention and intervention programming.
Term
Health life expectancy
Definition
The number of years a nerborn can expect to live in full health, based on current rates of illness and mortality.
Term
Cultural competency
Definition
A set of congruent attitudes and policies that come together in a system or among individuals and enables effective work in cross-cultural situations.
Term
Women's Health Initiative (WHI)
Definition
National study of post-menopausal women conducted in conjunction with the NIH mandate for equal research priorities for women's health issues.
Term
Self-efficacy
Definition
Belief in one's ability to perform a task successfully.
Term
Personal control
Definition
Belief that one's own internal resources allow one to control a situation.
Term
Belief
Definition
Appraisal of the relationship between some object, action, or idea and some attribute of the object, action, or idea.
Term
Attitude
Definition
Relatively stable set of beliefs, feelings, and behavioral tendencies in relation to something or someone.
Term
Health Belief Model (HBM)
Definition
Model for explaining how beliefs may influence behaviors.
Term
Theory of Reasoned Action
Definition
Model for explaining the importance of our intentions in determinding behaviors.
Term
Shaping
Definition
Using a series of small steps to gradually achieve a particular goal.
Term
Imagined rehearsal
Definition
Practicing, through mental imagery, to become better able to perfrom an even in acutality.
Term
Modeling
Definition
Learning specific behaviors by watching others perform them.
Term
Situational Inducement
Definition
Attempt to influence a behavior through situations and occasions that are structured to exert control over that behavior.
Term
Positive reinforcement
Definition
Presenting something positive following a behavior that is being reinforced.
Term
Self-talk
Definition
The customary manner of thinking and talking to yourself, which can impact your self-image.
Term
Psychosocial health
Definition
The mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of health.
Term
Mental health
Definition
The thinking part of psychosocial health; includes your values, attitudes, and beliefs.
Term
Emotional health
Definition
The feeling part of psychosocial health; includes your emotional reactions to life.
Term
Emotions
Definition
Intensified feelings or complex patterns of feelings we constantly experience.
Term
Social health
Definition
Aspect of psychosocial health that includes interactions with others, ability to use social supports, and ability to adapt to various situations.
Term
Social bonds
Definition
Degree and nature of interpersonal contacts.
Term
Social network
Definition
Network of people and services with whom you share ties and get support.
Term
Prejudice
Definition
A negative evaluation of an entire group of people that is typically based on unfavorable and often wrong ideas about the group.
Term
Spirituality
Definition
A belief in a unifying force that gives meaning to life and transcends the purely physical or personal dimensions of existence.
Term
Interconnectedness
Definition
A web of connections, including our relationship to ourselves, to others, and to a larger meaning or purposes in life.
Term
Mindfulness
Definition
Awareness and acceptance of the reality of the present moment.
Term
Faith
Definition
Belief that helps each person realize a unique purpose in life.
Term
Hope
Definition
Belief that allows us to look confidently and courageously to the future.
Term
Love
Definition
Acceptance, affirmation, and respect for the self and others.
Term
Altruism
Definition
The act of giving of oneself out of genuine concern for others.
Term
Dysfunctional families
Definition
Families in which there is violence, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; parent discord; or other negative family interactions.
Term
Self-efficacy
Definition
Belief in one's own ability to perform a task successfully.
Term
Self-esteem
Definition
Sense of self-respect or self-confidence.
Term
Learned helplessness
Definition
Pattern of responding to situations by giving up because of repeated failure in the past.
Term
Learned optimism
Definition
Teaching oneself to think optimistically.
Term
Resiliency
Definition
An individual's capacity for adapting to change and stressful events in healthy and flexibly ways.
Term
Assets
Definition
Internal and external resources and community supports that help a person be more resilient in difficult times and more likely to make positve choices and respond in positive, healthful ways.
Term
Flourishing
Definition
Living within an optimal range of human functioning-one that connotes goodness, productivity, growth, and resilience.
Term
Insomnia
Definition
Difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep.
Term
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
Definition
The science that examines the relationship betweent he brain and behavior andhow this affects the body's immune system.
Term
Happiness
Definition
Feeling of contentment created when one's expectations and physical, psychological, and spiritual needs have been met and one enjoys life.
Term
Subjective well-being (SWB)
Definition
That uplifiting feeling of inner peace and wonder that we call happiness.
Term
Gratitude
Definition
A sense of thankfulness and appreciation for the good things in your life as well as for life's lessons.
Term
Capitalization
Definition
The process by which we focus on the good things that happen to us and share those things with others.
Term
Mental illnesses
Definition
Disorders that disrupt thinking, feeling, moods, and behaviors and that impair daily functioning.
Term
Chronic mood disorder
Definition
Experience of persistent sadness, despair and hopelessness.
Term
Major depressive disorder
Definition
Sever depression that entails chronic mood disorder, physical effects such as sleep disturbance and exhaustion, and mental effects such as the inability to concentrate.
Term
Bipolar disorder
Definition
Form of depression characterized by alternating mania and depression.
Term
Anxiety disorders
Definition
Disorder charcterized by peristent feelings of threat and worry in coping with everyday problems.
Term
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Definition
A constant sense of worry that may cause restlessness, difficulty in concentrating, tensions, and other symptoms.
Term
Panic Attack
Definition
Severe anxiety reaction in which a particular situation, often for unknown reasons, causes teror.
Term
Phobia
Definition
A deep and persistent fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that results in a compelling desire to avord the source of the fear.
Term
Social phobia
Definition
A phobia characterized by fear and avoidance of social situations.
Term
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Definition
A type of depression that occurs in the winter months, when sunlight levels are low.
Term
Schizophrenia
Definition
A mental illness with biological origins that is characterized by irrational behavior, severe alterations of the sense (hallucinations), and often an inability to function in society.
Term
intimate relationships
Definition
Relationships with family members,
friends, and romantic partners, characterized by behavioral
interdependence, need fulfillment, emotional attachment, and
emotional availability.
Term
Behavioral interdependence
Definition
the mutual impact
that people have on each other as their lives and daily activities
intertwine.
Term
Intimacy
Definition
someone with whom we can share our feelings
freely
Term
Social integration
Definition
someone with whom we can share
worries and concerns
Term
Nurturance
Definition
someone whom we can take care of and who
will take care of us
Term
Assistance
Definition
someone to help us in times of need
Term
Affirmation
Definition
someone who will reassure us of our own
worth and tell us that we matter
Term
Emotional availability
Definition
the ability to give to and receive
from others emotionally without fear of being hurt or
rejected, is the fourth characteristic of intimate relationships.
Term
family of origin
Definition
People present in the household during
a child’s first years of life—usually parents and siblings.
Term
Companionate love
Definition
a
secure, trusting attachment, similar to what we may feel for
family members or close friends.
Term
Passionate love
Definition
is a state of high arousal filled with
the ecstasy of being loved and the agony of being rejected.
Term
self-disclosure
Definition
Sharing personal feelings or information
with others.
Term
genderlect
Definition
The “dialect,” or individual speech pattern and
communication style, of each gender.
Term
proximity
Definition
or being in the
same place at the same time.
Term
similarities
Definition
(attitudes,
values, intellect, interests
Term
reciprocity
Definition
mutual regard
Term
dysfunctional family
Definition
A family in which the interaction
between family members inhibits rather than enhances
psychological growth.
Term
jealousy
Definition
An aversive reaction evoked by a real or imagined
relationship involving a person’s partner and a third person.
Term
monogamy
Definition
Exclusive sexual involvement with one partner.
Term
serial monogamy
Definition
A series of monogamous sexual
relationships.
Term
open relationship
Definition
A relationship in which partners agree
that sexual involvement can occur outside the relationship.
Term
cohabitation
Definition
Living together without being married.
Term
common-law marriage
Definition
Cohabitation lasting a designated
period of time (usually 7 years) that is considered legally
binding in some states.
Term
accountability
Definition
Accepting responsibility for personal
decisions, choices, and actions.
Term
self-nurturance
Definition
Developing individual potential through a
balanced and realistic appreciation of self-worth and ability.
Term
power
Definition
The ability to make and implement decisions.
Term
trust
Definition
The degree of confidence partners feel in a
relationship.
Term
trust
Definition
The degree of confidence partners feel in a
relationship.
Term
sexual identity
Definition
Recognition of oneself as a sexual being;
a composite of biological sex characteristics, gender identity,
gender roles, and sexual orientation.
Term
intersexuality
Definition
Not exhibiting exclusively male or female
primary and secondary sex characteristics.
Term
gonads
Definition
The reproductive organs in a man (testes) or
woman (ovaries).
Term
puberty
Definition
The period of sexual maturation.
Term
pituitary gland
Definition
The endocrine gland controlling the
release of hormones from the gonads.
Term
secondary sex characteristics
Definition
Characteristics associated
with sex but not directly related to reproduction, such as
vocal pitch, degree of body hair, and location of fat deposits.
Term
gender
Definition
The psychological condition of being feminine or
masculine as defined by the society in which one lives.
Term
socialization
Definition
Process by which a society communicates
behavioral expectations to its individual members.
Term
gender roles
Definition
Expression of maleness or femaleness in
everyday life.
Term
gender identity
Definition
Personal sense or awareness of being
masculine or feminine, a male or a female.
Term
transgendered
Definition
When one’s gender identity does not
match one’s biological sex.
Term
transsexual
Definition
A person who is psychologically of one sex but
physically of the other.
Term
gender-role stereotypes
Definition
Generalizations concerning
how men and women should express themselves and the
characteristics each possesses.
Term
androgyny
Definition
Combination of traditional masculine and
feminine traits in a single person.
Term
sexual orientation
Definition
A person’s enduring emotional,
romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to other
persons.
Term
heterosexual
Definition
Experiencing primary attraction to and
preference for sexual activity with people of the other sex.
Term
homosexual
Definition
Experiencing primary attraction to and
preference for sexual activity with people of the same sex.
Term
bisexual
Definition
Experiencing attraction to and preference for
sexual activity with people of both sexes.
Term
gay
Definition
Sexual orientation involving primary attraction to
people of the same sex; usually but not always applies to men
attracted to men.
Term
lesbian
Definition
Sexual orientation involving attraction of women to
other women.
Term
sexual prejudice
Definition
Negative attitudes and hostile actions
directed at social groups.
Term
external female genitals
Definition
The mons pubis, labia majora
and minora, clitoris, urethral and vaginal openings, and the
vestibule of the vagina and its glands.
Term
vulva
Definition
Region that encloses the female’s external genitalia.
Term
mons pubis
Definition
Fatty tissue covering the pubic bone in
females; in physically mature women, the mons is covered with
coarse hair.
Term
labia minora
Definition
“Inner lips,” or folds of tissue just inside the
labia majora.
Term
labia majora
Definition
“Outer lips,” or folds of tissue covering the
female sexual organs.
Term
clitoris
Definition
A pea-sized nodule of tissue located at the top of
the labia minora; central to sexual arousal in women.
Term
urethral opening
Definition
The opening through which urine is
expelled.
Term
hymen
Definition
Thin tissue covering the vaginal opening in some
women.
Term
perineum
Definition
Tissue that forms the “floor” of the pelvic
region; it covers a kite-shaped region including the external
genitalia and anus.
Term
internal female genitals
Definition
The vagina, uterus, fallopian
tubes, and ovaries.
Term
vagina
Definition
The passage in females leading from the vulva into
the uterus.
Term
uterus (womb)
Definition
Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ whose
function is to contain the developing fetus.
Term
endometrium
Definition
Soft, spongy matter that makes up the
uterine lining.
Term
cervix
Definition
Lower end of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Term
ovaries
Definition
Almond-sized organs that house developing eggs
and produce hormones.
Term
fallopian tubes
Definition
Tubes that extend from near the ovaries to
the uterus; site of fertilization and passageway for fertilized
eggs.
Term
hypothalamus
Definition
An area of the brain located near the
pituitary gland; works in conjunction with the pituitary gland
to control reproductive functions.
Term
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Definition
Hormone
that signals the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins.
Term
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Definition
Hormone that
signals the ovaries to prepare to release eggs and to begin
producing estrogens.
Term
luteinizing hormone (LH)
Definition
Hormone that signals
the ovaries to release an egg and to begin producing
progesterone.
Term
estrogens
Definition
Hormones secreted by the ovaries that control
the menstrual cycle.
Term
progesterone
Definition
Hormone secreted by the ovaries; helps
keep the endometrium developing in order to nourish a
fertilized egg; also helps maintain pregnancy.
Term
menarche
Definition
The first menstrual period.
Term
proliferative phase
Definition
First phase of the menstrual cycle.
Term
ovarian follicles
Definition
Areas within the ovary in which individual
eggs develop.
Term
graafian follicle
Definition
Mature ovarian follicle that contains a
fully developed ovum, or egg.
Term
ovum or ova
Definition
A single mature egg cell. more than one egg
Term
ovulation
Definition
The point of the menstrual cycle at which a
mature egg ruptures through the ovarian wall.
Term
secretory phase
Definition
Second phase of the menstrual cycle,
during which the endometrium continues to prepare for a
fertilized egg.
Term
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Definition
Hormone
that calls for increased levels of estrogen and progesterone
secretion if fertilization has taken place.
Term
menstrual phase
Definition
Final phase of the menstrual cycle, in
which the endometrium sloughs off, and estrogen and progesterone
levels decline in response to no fertilization having
taken place.
Term
menopause
Definition
The permanent cessation of menstruation,
generally between the ages of 40 and 60.
Term
hormone replacement therapy, menopausal hormone
therapy
Definition
Use of synthetic or animal estrogens and
progesterone to compensate for decreases in estrogens
in a woman’s body during menopause.
Term
external male genitals
Definition
The penis and scrotum.
Term
internal male genitals
Definition
The testes, epididymides, vasa
deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, urethra, and accessory glands.
Term
accessory glands
Definition
The seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and
Cowper’s glands.
Term
penis
Definition
Male sexual organ that releases sperm into the
vagina.
Term
ejaculation
Definition
The propulsion of semen from the penis.
Term
scrotum
Definition
Sac of tissue that encloses the testes.
Term
testes
Definition
Two organs, located in the scrotum, that
manufacture sperm and produce hormones.
Term
testosterone
Definition
The male sex hormone manufactured in the
testes.
Term
spermatogenesis
Definition
The development of sperm.
Term
epididymis
Definition
A comma-shaped structure atop the testis,
where sperm mature.
Term
vas deferens
Definition
A tube that stores and transports sperm
toward the penis.
Term
seminal vesicles
Definition
Storage areas for sperm where nutrient
fluids are added to them.
Term
semen
Definition
Fluid containing sperm and nutrient fluids that
increase sperm viability and neutralize vaginal acid.
Term
sperm motility
Definition
(ability to move)
Term
potency
Definition
(potential for fertilizing
an ovum).
Term
prostate gland
Definition
Gland that secretes nutrients and neutralizing
fluids into the semen.
Term
Cowper’s glands
Definition
Glands that secrete a fluid that lubricates
the urethra and neutralizes any acid remaining in the urethra
after urination.
Term
vasocongestion
Definition
The engorgement of the genital organs
with blood.
Term
celibacy
Definition
State of not being involved in a sexual
relationship.
Term
autoerotic behaviors
Definition
Sexual self-stimulation.
Term
sexual fantasies
Definition
Sexually arousing thoughts and dreams.
Term
masturbation
Definition
Self-stimulation of genitals.
Term
erogenous zones
Definition
Areas of the body of both men and
women that, when touched, lead to sexual arousal.
Term
cunnilingus
Definition
Oral stimulation of a woman’s genitals.
Term
fellatio
Definition
Oral stimulation of a man’s genitals.
Term
vaginal intercourse
Definition
The insertion of the penis into
the vagina.
Term
anal intercourse
Definition
The insertion of the penis into the anus.
Term
variant sexual behavior
Definition
A sexual behavior that most
people do not engage in.
Term
sexual dysfunction
Definition
Problems associated with achieving
sexual satisfaction.
Term
inhibited sexual desire (ISD)
Definition
Lack of sexual appetite or
simply a lack of interest and pleasure in sexual activity.
Term
sexual aversion disorder
Definition
Type of desire dysfunction characterized
by sexual phobias and anxiety about sexual contact.
Term
erectile dysfunction (ED)
Definition
Difficulty in achieving or
maintaining a penile erection sufficient for intercourse.
Term
premature ejaculation
Definition
Ejaculation that occurs prior to or
almost immediately following penile penetration of the vagina.
Term
female orgasmic disorder
Definition
A woman’s inability to achieve
orgasm.
Term
sexual performance anxiety
Definition
A condition of sexual
difficulties caused by anticipating some sort of problem
with the sex act.
Term
dyspareunia
Definition
Pain experienced by women during
intercourse.
Term
vaginismus
Definition
A state in which the vaginal muscles contract
so forcefully that penetration cannot be accomplished.
Term
Learning Styles
Definition
Different methods of learning e.g. oral, hands-on, visual etc.
Term
learning disabilities
Definition
Dyslexia, Attention Defecit Disorder etc.
Term
short-term memory
Definition
how many items you are able to
perceive at one time.
Term
Long-term memory
Definition
procedural, semantic, and episodic.
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