BIOL 210 Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards created from BIOL 210 Chapter 1 Study Guide notes covering anatomy, physiology, life requirements, homeostasis, directional terms, body planes, body cavities, and serous membranes.

Anatomy

Study of the body's structure.

Physiology

Study of how the body works.

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy

Study of large, visible structures.

Microscopic anatomy

Study of tiny structures.

Principle of complementarity of structure and function

Principle stating that the structure of a body part (anatomy) is directly related to its function (physiology), such as alveoli in the lungs.

Six levels of structural organization

The sequential levels of structural complexity in the human body: Chemical level -> Cell -> Tissue -> Organ -> Organ system -> Organism.

Cell

Basic structural and functional unit of all life.

Tissue

Group of similar cells that together carry out a common function.

Organ

Structure composed of at least 2 tissues that performs a specific function.

Organ system

Group of organs that work together to perform one or more functions.

Organism

Any living thing that functions as an individual.

Eight necessary life functions

The essential functions for life: maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.

Cell membrane

Structure responsible for maintaining boundaries at the cellular level.

Integumentary system

Structure responsible for maintaining boundaries at the organismal level.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in the body.

Anabolism

The process of building up molecules.

Catabolism

The process of breaking down molecules.

Five survival needs

Nutrients, oxygen, water, normal blood temperature, and appropriate atmospheric pressure.

Homeostasis

Process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment despite external changes, ensuring vital functions stay within optimal constant ranges.

Variable (homeostatic)

Physiological or psychological factor being regulated.

Stimulus

Change in the internal or external environment that causes a variable to move outside its normal range.

Set point

Ideal normal range for a regulated variable.

Receptor

Specialized sensory cell or organ that detects a stimulus, detects a change in the variable, and sends input to the control center.

Control center

Component that receives input from the receptor, compares it to the variable's set point, and determines an appropriate response.

Effector

Muscle or gland that receives output from the control center and executes an action to correct an imbalance and return the variable to normal level.

Negative feedback mechanism

Mechanism where a change in a given direction causes a change in the opposite direction, moving the variable toward the set point; it is the primary feedback mechanism for maintaining homeostasis.

Positive feedback mechanism

Mechanism where a change in a given direction causes a change in the same direction, moving the variable further away from the set point.

Positive feedback examples

Childbirth and blood clotting.

Anatomical position

Standard body posture where the body is erect, feet slightly apart, and palms face forward with thumbs pointing away from the body.

Superior

Directional term meaning toward the head or upper body.

Inferior

Directional term meaning away from the head or lower body.

Anterior (ventral)

Directional term meaning toward or at the front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward or at the back of the body.

Medial

Directional term meaning toward or at the midline of the body.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Distal

Directional term meaning further from the origin of a body part or point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward or at the body surface; more external.

Deep

Directional term meaning away from the body surface; more internal.

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into left and right sides.

Midsagittal (median) plane

Vertical plane that passes directly down the midline of the body.

Frontal (coronal) plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Cross section

A cut or section made along the transverse plane.

Dorsal body cavity

Body cavity containing the cranial cavity and vertebral cavity.

Ventral body cavity

Body cavity containing the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity, separated by the diaphragm.

Diaphragm

Muscular structure that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Thoracic cavity

Ventral cavity subdivision containing the pleural cavities, pericardial cavity, and mediastinum; houses the heart and lungs.

Abdominopelvic cavity

Ventral cavity subdivision composed of the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity.

Cranial cavity

Dorsal cavity subdivision containing the brain and pituitary gland.

Vertebral cavity

Dorsal cavity subdivision containing the spinal cord.

Pleural cavity

Cavity within the thoracic cavity containing the lungs.

Pericardial cavity

Cavity within the thoracic cavity containing the heart.

Abdominal cavity

Cavity containing the stomach, liver, and kidneys.

Pelvic cavity

Cavity containing urinary, digestive, and reproductive organs.

Serous membrane

Double-layered sheets that line closed body cavities and wrap around organs.

Parietal serosa

Serous membrane layer that lines the walls of cavities.

Visceral serosa

Serous membrane layer that covers internal organs.

Serous cavity

Potential space between the visceral and parietal serous layers.

Serous fluid

Fluid within the serous cavity that acts as a lubricant.