BIO 3413 General Physiology Exam 1 Review - Chapter 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering Chapter 1 topics: physiology basics, homeostasis, tissues, cartilage and bone, blood, and the normal ranges listed in the notes.

Physiology

The science of how living organisms and their parts function; examples include how organs regulate body systems (e.g., heart pumping, kidney filtration).

Positive feedback

A feedback loop that amplifies the original stimulus; examples: uterine contractions during childbirth; clot formation.

Negative feedback

A feedback loop that counteracts the initial change to maintain homeostasis; examples: shivering, sweating, regulation of blood glucose, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.

Quantitative measurements

Numerical data used to quantify physiological variables (e.g., pH, glucose concentration).

Level of organization

Biological hierarchy from chemical level to organism (chemical → cellular → tissue → organ → organ system → organism).

Epithelium

A tissue that lines body surfaces and forms glands; functions include protection, secretion, absorption, and filtration.

Simple epithelium

Epithelium with a single cell layer; specialized for diffusion, absorption, or filtration (e.g., alveolar walls).

Stratified epithelium

Epithelium with multiple cell layers; primarily provides protection against abrasion.

Connective tissue

Tissue that binds, supports, protects, and transports; four major classes: proper, cartilage, bone, and blood.

Connective tissue proper

Loose and dense connective tissues; cells such as fibroblasts produce fibers; functions include binding and support.

Cartilage

A firm, flexible connective tissue; avascular; contains chondrocytes in lacunae; provides support and smooth surfaces for joints.

Hyaline cartilage

Most common cartilage; provides cushioning and smooth joint surfaces; found in ends of long bones, nose, trachea, and fetal skeleton.

Elastic cartilage

Cartilage with many elastic fibers; maintains shape while allowing flexibility (e.g., external ear, epiglottis).

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage with dense collagen; best at absorbing compressive shock; examples: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, knee menisci.

Bone (osseous tissue)

Rigid connective tissue that supports and protects; mineralized matrix with osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts; enables movement.

Compact bone

Dense outer layer of bone with osteons; provides strength and houses blood vessels.

Spongy bone

Cancellous bone with trabeculae; lighter, houses bone marrow.

Osteoblast

Bone-forming cell that secretes osteoid and initiates mineralization.

Osteocyte

Mature bone cell derived from osteoblast; maintains bone tissue.

Osteoclast

Bone-resorbing cell that breaks down bone matrix during remodeling.

Chondroblasts

Cartilage-forming cells that produce the matrix and become chondrocytes.

Chondrocyte

Mature cartilage cell living in lacunae that maintains cartilage matrix.

Fibroblast

Principal cell of connective tissue proper; synthesizes collagen and other fibers and ground substance.

Collagen

Protein fiber with high tensile strength; major structural component of connective tissue.

Elastic fibers

Fibers composed of elastin; provide stretch and recoil in tissues.

Reticular fibers

Fine, branched fibers forming supportive networks in soft tissues and organs.

Blood (connective tissue)

Fluid connective tissue that transports gases, nutrients, wastes; composed of plasma, erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Blood components

Major components include plasma (fluid matrix), erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets.

Junctional complexes

Connections between epithelial cells (tight junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions) that regulate paracellular transport and cell adhesion.

Alveolar diffusion (epithelium)

Rapid diffusion across a simple epithelium; example: gas exchange in the alveoli of the lungs.

Arterial pH range (notes)

7.35–7.45.

Bicarbonate range (notes)

24–28 (units as noted in the study sheet).

Sodium range (notes)

135–145 (units as noted in the study sheet).

Calcium range (notes)

4.5–5.5 (units as noted in the study sheet).

Protein range (notes)

6.5–8.0 (g/dL, as noted).

Lipids range (notes)

400–800 (units as noted).

Glucose range (notes)

20–99 (units as noted).