Animal Physiology Exam 1

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What is homeostasis?

Taking action to keep body processes functioning to maintain a 'set point.'

What are the two types of homeostatic control systems?

Local control and reflexive control.

What does the Law of Mass Balance state?

If the amount of a substance in the body is to remain constant, any gain must be offset by an equal loss.

How is the body fluid distributed according to the 60-40-20 rule?

Total Body Water (TBW) is 60% of total body weight; 2/3 is intracellular fluid (ICF) and 1/3 is extracellular fluid (ECF).

What is a resting membrane potential?

The voltage difference across a cell membrane when the cell is at rest.

What triggers an action potential?

An action potential is triggered when the membrane potential voltage crosses a critical threshold, typically -55mv.

What is the difference between efferent and afferent signals?

Efferent signals are outgoing from the presynaptic neuron, while afferent signals are incoming to the postsynaptic neuron.

What are the three states of a voltage-gated sodium channel?

Closed (resting), Open (activated), Inactivated (refractory).

What is the function of nitric oxide (NO) in signaling?

NO can act as a second messenger, paracrine signal, hormone, or neurotransmitter.

What are paracrine and autocrine signals?

Autocrine signals act on the same cell that secreted them; paracrine signals are secreted by one cell and diffuse to adjacent cells.

What is the role of cAMP in cellular processes?

cAMP acts as a second messenger that amplifies the original signal and activates protein kinase A.

What is the function of the Na/K ATPase pump?

It maintains resting membrane potential by moving 3 Na+ out of the cell and 2 K+ into the cell for each ATP split.

What is the main difference between continuous conduction and saltatory conduction?

Continuous conduction occurs in non-myelinated axons, while saltatory conduction occurs in myelinated axons.

What is dynamic steady state in relation to homeostasis?

It refers to the state where intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) exist in a state of disequilibrium.

What are the major types of cell communication?

Long-distance communication can be electrical, chemical, or both; local communication can be through gap junctions, contact-dependent signals, or chemical diffusion.

What is the significance of the glycocalyx?

It provides a molecular signature to the cell, helps cells adhere to one another, and protects against digestion by enzymes.