Test prep

TEAS vocabulary words for test prep

This list is for nursing and allied health applicants preparing for the TEAS exam, which draws on basic science and reading vocabulary. Review each word's meaning, connect it to a body system or process where relevant, and practice recognizing it inside short science passages.

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TEAS vocabulary words for test prep

Word	Meaning	In a sentence
abdomennoun	The part of the body between the chest and the pelvis that contains the stomach and intestines.	The doctor pressed gently on his abdomen to check for tenderness.
absorbverb	To take in or soak up a substance, or to take in information, ideas, or impressions gradually.	The dry soil quickly absorbed the light rain that fell overnight.
acuteadjective	Very serious, severe, or intense, especially describing a problem, feeling, or sensation.	The refugees faced an acute shortage of clean drinking water.
adaptverb	To change, or change something, to fit a new situation or purpose.	We adapted the game so that a larger group could play.
arterynoun	A blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body.	A blocked artery near the heart can trigger a sudden and serious heart attack.
benignadjective	Gentle, kindly, and not harmful, or, in medicine, not cancerous and unlikely to cause serious harm.	Despite his gruff appearance, he had a benign and generous nature.
cellularadjective	Relating to the cells that make up the tissues of living organisms.	The disease attacks the body at the cellular level, gradually damaging tissue over time.
chronicadjective	Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring, especially describing an illness or problem.	He has suffered from chronic back pain ever since the accident.
contractnoun	A written or spoken agreement, especially one that is legally enforceable.	Both companies signed the contract after months of careful negotiation.
digestverb	To break down food in the stomach and intestines into substances the body can absorb.	It can take several hours for the body to fully digest a large meal.
diluteverb	To make a liquid weaker or thinner by adding water or another solvent.	She diluted the concentrated juice with water before serving it to the children.
enzymenoun	A protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body.	The enzyme lactase helps the body break down sugar found in milk.
excreteverb	To eliminate waste matter from the body through natural biological processes.	The kidneys filter the blood and excrete waste from the body as urine.
glandnoun	An organ in the body that produces and releases a substance such as a hormone or enzyme.	The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by releasing hormones into the bloodstream.
hormonenoun	A chemical substance produced by a gland that travels through the blood to regulate specific organs or tissues.	Insulin is a hormone that helps the body control blood sugar levels.
immuneadjective	Protected against a particular disease or infection, or not affected by something negative.	Regular vaccination kept most of the children immune to the seasonal flu that year.
infectionnoun	The invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms in the body, often causing disease.	The untreated cut developed a bacterial infection that required a course of antibiotics.
ligamentnoun	A tough band of tissue that connects bones to each other at a joint.	She tore a ligament in her knee during the soccer match.
membranenoun	A thin, flexible layer of tissue that covers, lines, or separates parts of an organism.	The cell membrane controls which substances can enter or leave the cell.
metabolismnoun	The chemical processes in a living organism that convert food into energy and maintain life.	Regular exercise can help boost your metabolism significantly over time.
nutrientnoun	A substance in food that provides nourishment necessary for growth and health.	Leafy greens are packed with nutrients like iron and vitamin K.
organismnoun	An individual living thing.	A single bacterium is an organism.
oxygennoun	A colorless, odorless gas in the air that humans and animals need to breathe in order to survive.	Firefighters carried extra tanks of oxygen so they could breathe safely inside the smoke-filled building.
plasmanoun	The pale yellow liquid part of blood that carries cells, nutrients, and proteins through the body.	Doctors transfused donated plasma into the patient to help her blood clot properly.
respirationnoun	The process by which living organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide to produce energy.	Respiration in humans occurs mainly through the lungs, where oxygen enters the bloodstream.
secreteverb	To produce and release a substance, especially from a gland or cell in a living organism.	The pancreas secretes insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
skeletaladjective	Relating to a skeleton, or extremely thin, or reduced to only the most basic essential parts.	The doctor ordered a skeletal scan to check for fractures after the fall.
tissuenoun	A soft, disposable paper used for wiping or blowing the nose, or a group of similar living cells.	She pulled a tissue from the box to wipe her watery eyes.
toxinnoun	A poisonous substance, especially one produced by a living organism such as a bacterium, plant, or animal.	The snake's venom contains a toxin that can paralyze its prey within seconds.
vesselnoun	A ship or large boat, especially one used for carrying passengers or cargo at sea.	The cargo vessel docked at the port to unload containers from overseas.

Frequently asked questions

Does the TEAS test science vocabulary?

The Science section includes anatomy, physiology, and general science terms, so reviewing basic body and process vocabulary like this can help you read passages more confidently.