Chapter One

what is physiology?

the study of how living organisms function

what does the integrated function ask?

why do individual parts of the body work together?

what does the mechanistic approach ask?

how are various levels of organization integrated?

what question does translational research ask?

how is understanding applied to the overall function of the human body?

what are the four major physiological themes?

structure and function are closely related at all levels, homeostasis maintains internal stability despite external variables, living organisms need energy, and information flow coordinates body function

what is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

anatomy is the organizational levels, physiology is function of those organizational levels

what affects functional properties?

morphology and mechanical properties

how does cell specialization relate to the function of an organism

cell specialization leads to specific tissue types which create organs which create systems which work together to make an organism

what does the organism level represent?

the highest level of organization, the result of all simpler levels working in unison

why is it important that systems work together?

they are all related, failure in one can cause failure in another, failures = bad for organism

what is a tissue?

a group of closely associated cells that perform related functions and are similar in structure

extracellular matrix is an example of:

the non-living portion of tissues

what do the non-living components of tissues do?

serves as physical support and structure for cells (can also help with movement, attachment, etc)

connective tissue purpose

connect tissues and bind organs together, hold in body fluid, store and carry nutrients, protect against infections, form basis of skeleton

epithelial tissue purpose

cover body surface or line body cavity, forms glands, interface tissues

interface tissue purpose of endothelium

protection, secretin, absorption, ion transport, filtration, and form slipper surfaces

muscle tissue is composed of - that can -

muscle fibers containing actin and myosin, contract

muscle tissue functions

movement, maintenance of posture, joint stabilization, heat generaton

three types of muscle include:

skeletal, cardiac, smooth

nervous tissue is composed of what two types of cells

neurons, supporting cells (glial cells)

characteristics of neurons

specialized nerve cells that conduct impulses; composed of cell body, dendrite (input), and axon (output)

glial cell characteristics

nonconducting cells that nourish, insulate, and protect neurons

characteristics of all nervous tissue cells

no mitosis, longetivity, and high metabolic rate

what are body fluids?

water solution of dissolved substances (oxygen, nutrients, etc)

what is extracellular fluid?

fluid in blood surrounding cells

what are the two types of extracellular fluid?

plasma and interstitial fluid

what is plasma?

fluid found in blood

what is interstitial fluid?

lies around and between cells

all extracellular fluid is nearly homogenous, meaning

it doesn’t vary very much

t/f intracellular fluid is homogeneous with extracellular fluid

false

maintaining differences in fluid composition across the cell membrane is an important way in which:

cells regulate their own activity

t/f: intracellular fluid should not be considered homoogenous with subcellular fluids within the same cell

true

is intracellular or extracellular fluid more highly regulated?

intracellular

fluid compartmentation is necessary for:

cellular information exchange and communication

what is homeostasis?

a self regulating process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions

what is the law of mass balance?

mass that goes in must go out to remain constant

what is dynamic constancy

when variables can change but return to normal and remain in and overall balance

what is a steady state?

when a system variable does not change, but energy must be continuously added to maintain a constant condition

what is equilibrium?

system variable that is not changing so no input of energy is required

what is control?

the ability to regulate

what is regulation?

mechanisms by which control is achieved

what purpose do feedback loops serve?

to control physiological processes

what is negative feedback?

shuts the system off once the set point has been reached

what is positive feedback?

enhances the production of the product

positive feedback is a destabilizing system, meaning

it doesn’t operate on it’s own; interlocked with negative feedback