Anatomy and Physiology Fundamentals and Homeostasis

Vocabulary flashcards covering introductory concepts in Anatomy & Physiology, levels of biological organization, characteristics of life, and homeostatic feedback mechanisms.

Anatomy

Scientific discipline that investigates the body's structure.

Physiology

Scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things.

Gross Anatomy

Macroscopic study of body structures examined without a microscope.

Regional Anatomy

Approach to anatomy where the body is studied area by area.

Systemic Anatomy

Approach to anatomy where the body is studied system by system.

Surface Anatomy

Study of external form and its relation to deeper structures, such as x-ray usage in anatomical imaging.

Cytology

Branch of microscopic anatomy that studies cellular structures.

Histology

Branch of microscopic anatomy that studies tissues.

Cell Physiology

Branch of physiology that examines processes occurring within cells.

Neurophysiology

Branch of physiology that focuses on the nervous system.

Cardiovascular Physiology

Branch of physiology that focuses on the heart and blood vessels.

Pathology

Medical discipline that studies structural and functional changes caused by disease.

Applied Physiology

Also known as exercise physiology, the study of changes in structure and function caused by exercise and work.

Biological Levels of Organization

Hierarchy of complexity in living organisms ranging from chemical level, cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level, to organismal level.

Unicellular Organism

Single-celled organism that does not possess organelles, such as an Amoeba.

Organization

Characteristic of life referring to the condition in which there are specific relationships and functions.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions taking place in the body.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense changes in its environment and adjust.

Growth

An increase in size and/or number of cells in an organism.

Development

The changes an organism undergoes over time.

Differentiation

Process during development where a cell changes from a general type to a specific, specialized type.

Reproduction

The formation of new cells or new organisms.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of the internal environment within physiological limits, named by Walter Cannon (1871-1945).

Set Point

The ideal normal value of a physiological variable in homeostasis.

Receptor

Component of a feedback system that monitors the value of a physiological variable.

Control Center

Component of a feedback system that establishes the set point and evaluates input.

Effector

Component of a feedback system that can change the value of a variable in response to signals.

Stimulus

A deviation from the set point in a feedback system that is detected by a receptor.

Response

The action produced by an effector in a feedback loop.

Negative Feedback System

A control mechanism that reverses a change in a controlled condition to return it toward the set point.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Positive Feedback System

A feedback mechanism where the response of the effector enhances the original stimulus, reinforcing the change in a controlled condition.

Disorder

A general term for any derangement or abnormality of bodily function.

Disease

A specific term for an illness characterized by a recognizable set of signs and symptoms.

Local Disease

A disease that affects one specific part or a limited region of the body.

Systemic Disease

A disease that affects either the entire body or several body parts.

Aging

A process characterized by a progressive decline in the body's ability to restore homeostasis.

Subatomic particles - what atoms are made of

Electrons, protons, neutrons

Organelles

Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, nucleus

Tissue

Simple squamous, epithelial, smooth muscle

Respiration

Acquiring energy

Average resting heart rate

72 bpm with range of 60-100

Blood glucose level range

70 -100/110ml

Down a pressure gradient

High pressure to low pressure

Down a concentration gradient

High concentration to low concentration

Membrane permeability

If a substance can pass through a membrane or not

External stimuli

Intense heat, cold, and lack of oxygen

Internal stimuli

Psychological stresses and exercise