Anatomy and Physiology Lecture Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to anatomy, physiology, structural organization, body systems, chemistry, and homeostatic mechanisms, based on lecture notes.

Anatomy

The study of the parts of the body, including their names and locations.

Physiology

The study of how the body functions.

Cells

Fundamental units of living things formed by organized chemicals; the smallest living units in the body.

Smallest human cell

Sperm cell (male).

Largest human cell

Egg cell (female).

Tissue

Many of the same cell type functioning together.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers organs, lines body cavities, and forms the bodies of glands.

Connective tissue

Tissue that forms the basic structural framework of most organs and is the most abundant tissue in the body.

Muscular tissue

Tissue that contracts and moves the body.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that generates and conducts electricity, found in organs like the brain.

Organs

Large structures made up of multiple tissues joined and functioning together (e.g., heart, skin, brain).

Largest organ in the body

Skin.

Integumentary System

Composed of skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and oil glands; forms a protective layer, guards against germs and UV rays, and helps regulate body temperature.

Skeletal System

Composed of joints; forms the basic structural framework of the body, protects underlying organs, and works with the muscular system for movement.

Muscular System

Composed of skeletal muscles; works with the skeletal system to move the body and generates most of the body's heat.

Nervous System

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; controls muscle contractions, gland secretions, gives rise to sensations (vision, smell, pain), language, memory, logic, and emotion.

Oxytocin

A hormone released by the brain that stimulates muscle in the uterus to contract during childbirth, an example of a positive feedback mechanism.

Chemistry

The study of chemicals, including atoms and molecules.

Atoms

Basic units of chemistry; extremely small, fundamental objects of the body made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Protons

Positively charged particles located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutrons

Neutrally charged particles located in the nucleus of an atom.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.

Elements

Different types of atoms, distinguished by the number of protons found within the atom.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a normal, healthy body environment; the maintenance of stable conditions within the body.

Disease

Occurs when homeostasis is not maintained for a certain body condition (e.g., hypothermia if body temperature drops below 98 degrees F).

Negative Feedback Mechanisms

The primary way the body maintains homeostasis; triggered when a body condition deviates from the homeostatic range, prompting the body to alter functioning to return the condition to homeostasis.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Triggered when a body condition begins to deviate from its normal homeostatic level, and the body responds by altering its functioning such that the condition deviates further from homeostasis (e.g., childbirth, blood clotting, breastfeeding); also known as the 'snowball effect' or 'self-amplification effect'.

Digestive System

Composed of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, intestines, liver, and gallbladder; breaks down food and drink, and absorbs nutrients.

Urinary System

Composed of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra; filters waste and excess water from the blood.

Female Reproductive System

Composed of ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva; functions to produce offspring.

Male Reproductive System

Composed of the testes, vas deferens, prostate, urethra, and penis; functions to produce offspring.