Definition Location Function
Chromosome Highly coiled and condensed In the cytoplasm of a dividing cell Carrier of genes
form of DNA
Chromatin Long strands of DNA with In the nucleus of an interphase cell Carrier of genes
histones
Histone A protein that helps in coiling In chromatin Helps DNA to undergo coiling
DNA
Nucleosome A complex formed by the coiling In chromatin
of DNA around a core of eight
histone proteins (or around a core
of histone octamer)
Centromere The point of attachment between Between two sister chromatids of a Joining the sister chromatids together
two sister chromatids of a chromosome
chromosome
Gene They are specific sequences of In chromosome Units of heredity
nucleotides on a chromosome
that encode a particular protein
which is expressed in the form of
a particular feature of the body.
Centrosome - In the cytoplasm of animal cell close to Helps in the initiation of cell division in
nucleus animal cell
Spindle fibres - Between the centrosome and centromere Pulls the separated sister chromatids
in animal cell towards the poles
Or between centromere and poles of plant
cells
Chiasma The X – shapes structure formed Between non – sister chromatids of -
by the crossing over of non – homologous chromosomes
sister chromatids of the paired
homologous chromosomes
Root hair Cytoplasmic extensions of root Epidermal layer of root Increase the surface area for absorption
epidermal cells of water
- -
Stomata Minute openings on the surface Epidermis of leaves Exchange of gases, transpiration
of leaves
Lenticels Minute openings on the surface Epidermis of old stem Exchange of gases, transpiration
of old stems
Cuticle Substance produced on the On the epidermis of stem and leaves Prevents excessive loss of water during
epidermis of stems and leaves transpiration
Hydathodes Minute openings along the Along margins of leaves where the veins Guttation
margins of leaves end
Chloroplast In the cytoplasm of mesophyll cells of Region where photosynthesis occurs
leaves
Chlorophyll In the walls of the thylakoids of Absorption of sunlight and converting
chloroplasts light energy to chemical energy (ATP)
Erythrocytes Transport oxygen
Haemoglobin A respiratory pigment in In the cytoplasm of erythrocytes Transport oxygen
erythrocytes
Leucocytes/Leukocytes Provides immunity to the body
Neutrophils Phagocytosis
Eosinophils Associated with allergic reactions
Basophils Produce histamine, needed for
inflammation reactions
Lymphocytes Produce antibodies
Monocytes Phagocytosis
Antibodies Proteins secreted by the immune Neutralize or kill antigens
system in response to antigens
Antigens Substances that trigger the
immune system
Thrombocytes `Initiates blood clotting
Pericardial fluid Between the two membranes of the Protects the heart from mechanical
pericardium injuries and prevents friction
Heart In the mediastinium – in the thoracic Pumps blood to all parts of the body
cavity, within the rib cage, between the
lungs, just above the diaphragm
Aorta Transports oxygenated blood from the
left ventricle to all parts of the body
except lungs
Superior vena cava Transports deoxygenated blood from the
upper parts of the body to the right atrium
Inferior vena cava Transports deoxygenated blood from the
lower parts of the body to the right atrium
Pulmonary artery Transports deoxygenated blood from the
right ventricle to the lungs
Pulmonary veins Transports oxygenated blood from the
lungs to the left atrium
Coronary artery Branches from the base of the aorta and Supplies oxygenated blood to the walls of
wrapped all over the heart the heart
Tricuspid valve Between right atrium and right ventricle Prevents the backflow of blood from
right ventricle to right atrium
Bicuspid valve/mitral Between left atrium and left ventricle Prevents the backflow of blood from left
valve ventricle to left atrium
Aortic semilunar valve Between left ventricle and aorta Prevents the backflow of blood from
aorta to left ventricle
Pulmonary semilunar Between right ventricle and pulmonary Prevents the backflow of blood from
valve artery pulmonary artery to right ventricle
Papillary muscles Along the inner walls of the ventricles Help in opening and closing of the
atrioventricular valves
Chordae tendineae Between the papillary muscles and the Help in opening and closing of the
flaps of the atrioventricular valves atrioventricular valves
Sinoatrial Node – SAN Just below the opening of the superior Sets the pace at which heart beats,
vena cava in the right atrium generates impulse for heart beat
Atrioventricular Node At the interatrial septum, in the right Collects impulse from SAN, holds it for a
AVN atrium, between the right atrium and right fraction of a second and passes it on to
ventricle bundle of His
Bundle of His Starts at AVN and runs through the Transmits impulse from AVN to Purkinje
interventricular septum fibres
Purkinje fibres In the walls of the ventricles Transmits impulse from bundle of His to
the walls of ventricles
Hepatic portal vein Transports deoxygenated blood from the
gut to the liver
Spleen Just behind the stomach and above the Destroys old blood cells, in embryo
left kidney produces blood cells, acts as a blood
reservoir in times of emergencies,
produces lymphocytes
Kidneys Just below the diaphragm, on either side Production of urine, osmoregulation,
of the vertebral column
Ureters Between the kidney and urinary bladder Transports urine from the kidneys to the
urinary bladder by peristalsis
Urinary bladder In the lower part of the abdominal cavity Temporarily stores the urine
in the front side of the body
Urethra Just below the urinary bladder Micturition – the removal of urine from
the urinary bladder to outside the body
through the urethra
Urethral sphincter Surrounding the urethra Regulates the flow of urine from the
urethra
Bowman’s capsule In the renal cortes Collects the glomerular filtrate
Glomerulus Within the hollow portion of the Involved in ultrafiltration
Bowman’s capsule in the renal cortex
Proximal convoluted Between the bowman’s capsule and loop Selective reabsorption of glucose, amino
tubule of Henle, in the renal cortex acids, water, salts
Loop of Henle Between PCT and DCT in the renal Reabsorption of water, Na+,
medulla
Distal convoluted tubule Between the loop of Henle and the Reabsorption of water, Secretion of K+
collecting duct, in the renal cortex and larger wastes
Vasa recta Surrounding the loop of Henle Help in reabsorption
Renal pelvis In the centre of the kidney towards which Collects urine from all nephrons
all the renal pyramids are pointed
Hilum On the concave side of the kidney
Renal artery Supplies kidneys with oxygenated blood/
Transports oxygenated blood from the
posterior aorta to the kidneys
Renal veins Transports deoxygenated blood from the
kidneys to the inferior vena cava
Receptors Specialized neurons that generate Found mostly in sense organs Generate impulse and sends to CNS
an impulse on receiving specific
stimulus
Neurotransmitters Chemicals that transmit impulse In vesicles in the axon terminals Transmit impulse from the axon terminal
from the axon terminal of one of one neuron to the dendrite of the next
neuron to the dendrite of the next neuron
neuron
Sensory neurons Between sense organs/receptors and CNS Transmit impulse from the sense
organs/receptors to the CNS
Motor neurons Between CNS and various Transmit impulse from the CNS to
muscles/glands of the body various muscles/glands of the body
Association neuron In the brain and spinal cord Transmit impulse from a sensory neuron
to a motor neuron
Sensory nerve A nerve which has only sensory Between sense organs/receptors and CNS Transmit impulse from the sense
neurons organs/receptors to the CNS
Motor nerve A nerve which has only motor Between CNS and various Transmit impulse from the CNS to
neurons muscles/glands of the body various muscles/glands of the body
Mixed nerve A nerve that has both sensory and
motor neurons
Schwann cells/myelin Found around the axon of myelinated Increase the speed of impulse
sheath neurons
Dura mater Between the cranium and arachnoid
Arachnoid Between the dura mater and pia mater
Pia mater Between the arachnoid and brain
Cerebrospinal fluid Between the layers of the meninges, Protects the brain from mechanical
inside the ventricles of the brain, in the injuries, provides nourishment to the
central canal of spinal cord brain
Corpus callosum Sheet of nerve fibres that Between the two hemispheres of the Relays impulse between the two
interconnect the two cerebral cerebrum hemispheres of the cerebrum
hemispheres
Thalamus Just above the hypothalamus Relays pain and pressure to the cerebrum
Hypothalamus Just below the thalamus Regulates body temperature, controls the
functioning of the pituitary by secreting
Releasing hormones
Midbrain Just below the back part of the Controls reflex of the head
hypothalamus
Cerebellum Just below the back part of the Maintains body balance and co –
cerebrum/just below the occipital lobe ordinates muscular activities
Pons/ pons varioli Just above the medulla oblongata Relays impulse between the two
hemispheres of the cerebellum
Medulla oblongata Just below the pons Controls the activity of internal organs:
beating of heart, breathing, peristalsis etc
Spinal cord In the vertebral column Controls reflex below head region,
transmits impulse between brain and
organs of the lower body
Sympathetic nervous Prepares the body for action
system
Parasympathetic nervous Brings the body back to relaxed state
system
Lacrimal glands Between the eyes and the upper, outward Produce tears needed for removal of dust,
edge of the orbit of each eye preventing the eyes from drying out,
showing emotion, killing germs through
lysozyme
Conjunctiva A thin transparent layer covering the
front part of the eyes
Choroid Between the sclera and retina Prevents internal reflection of light in the
eyes
Ciliary body The expanded front portion of the
choroid
Iris The coloured, opaque front part of the Regulates the size of the pupil, in turn
choroid regulates the amount of light entering the
eye
Pupil The opening in the centre of the iris Regulates the amount of light entering
the eye
Lens Just behind the iris Converges light and focuses it on the
retina
Retina Innermost layer of eye Receives light and generates impulse
Rods Distributed throughout the retina Sensitive to dim light and secrete
rhodopsin
Cones Most abundant in the yellow spot Sensitive to bright and coloured light,
secrete iodopsin
Yellow spot/macula Exactly opposite to the pupil, on the The region of the brightest and clearest
lutea/fovea centralis retina vision in the eye
Aqueous fluid Between the lens and cornea Protects lens from mechanical injuries
and helps in light refraction
Vitreous fluid Within the eyeball Maintains the shape of eye, protects
retina and the photoreceptors
Pinna Outer end of the auditory canal, on either Collects sound waves and direct it
side of the head towards the auditory canal
Auditory canal Between the pinna and tympanum Transfers sound waves to the tympanum
Tympanum On the inner end of the auditory canal Receives soundwaves and vibrates
accordingly
Malleus Between tympanum and incus
Incus Between malleus and stapes
Stapes Between incus and oval window of the
inner ear
Eustachian canal Between the middle ear and the pharynx Helps to equalize pressure on either side
of the tympanum
Vestibule In between the semicircular canals and
the cochlea
Utriculus Top part of the vestibule, the part
Helps maintain static balance
attached to the semicircular canals
Sacculus Lower part of the vestibule, the part
attached to the cochlea
Semicircular canals Just above the vestibule Helps maintain dynamic balance
Ampulla The widened base of the semicircular Contains sensory cells that detect when
canals attached to the vestibule the body is in motion
Cochlea Just behind the vestibule Contains audio receptors, used to
perceive sound
Organ of Corti In the median canal of the cochlea Receives vibrations and generates
impulse to perceive sound
Pituitary Just below the hypothalamus
Thyroid Just below the larynx
Adrenal Just above the kidneys
Pancreas Just below and slightly behind the
stomach
Islets of Langerhans Scattered throughout the pancreas
Testes Outside the body cavity, within the Produces male gametes and male
scrotal sac hormones
Seminiferous tubules In the lobules of the testes Produces spermatozoa through
spermatogenesis
Interstitial cells/Leydig Between the coils of the seminiferous Secrete testosterone
cells tubules
Epididymis Just above the testis Region for storage and maturation of
sperm
Sperm duct/vas deferens Between the epididymis and urethra Transports sperm from epididymis to the
urethra through peristalsis
Seminal vesicle Just below the urinary bladder, opens into Secretes a fluid which acts as a medium
the sperm ducts for the transportation of the sperm
Prostate Just below the urinary bladded Secretes an alkaline fluid, needed to
surrounding the urethra neutralize the acidic environment of the
female reproductive system
Cowper’s glands/bulbo Just below the prostate on either side of Secretes a fluid that acts as a lubricant
urethral glands the urethra during intercourse
Ovaries On either side of the uterus Produces female gamete through
oogenesis and female hormones
Follicles A cellular sac which contains one Found in the ovarian cortex during Produces Oestrogen
ovum development
Graafian follicle The most mature and largest Ruptures to release the ovum
follicle
Corpus luteum The remnant of the graafian Secretes progesterone
follicle after ovulation
Oestrogen Thickening of the endometrium
Progesterone Maintains the thickness of the
endometrium
Fallopian tubes/oviducts Attached to the uterus on either side, the Collects and transports ovum, site for
open end is close to the ovaries fertilization
Uterus Pear shape muscular, vascular In the pelvic cavity, between the urinary The region where the foetus develops
organ bladder and the rectum
Placenta The organ formed by the Between the foetus and mother’s body in Exchange or materials between the foetal
interlocking of the maternal the endometrium and maternal blood, protects the foetus
blood vessel and foetal blood against several pathogens and substances,
vessels secretes HCG, progesterone and
oestrogen
Chorion The part of the placenta formed
from the foetal blood vessels
Amnion A sac that surrounds the embryo Surrounding the foetus Protects the foetus from mechanical
and later foetus injuries, allows for movement of the
foetus
Amniotic fluid Between the foetus and the amnion Protects the foetus from mechanical
injuries, allows for movement of the
foetus, provides even pressure around the
foetus, prevents sticking of the foetus to
the amnios
Allantois (not in syllabus Between the chorion and amnion Helps in developing the blood vessels in
but has been mentioned in the umbilical cord
several places)
Umbilical cord Between the placenta and foetus Carries substances between the placenta
and foetus
Human Chorionic Maintains the corpus luteum throughout
Gonadotropin the pregnancy and maintains the
pregnancy
