Human Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from Anatomy and Physiology lecture notes, Biology 32, Bakersfield College.

Define anatomy and physiology, and explain how they are related.

Anatomy is the study of structure, while physiology is the study of function. Structure determines function, and pathology is the study of structural changes that lead to disease.

What are the levels of structural organization in the human body?

The levels are chemicals, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organism.

Name three necessary life functions.

Movement, responsiveness, and digestion

What are the survival needs of the human body?

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

Define homeostasis and explain its importance.

Homeostasis is maintaining a stable internal environment within narrow limits, regardless of environmental changes. It is essential for normal body functioning and to sustain life.

Explain negative feedback and its role in maintaining homeostasis.

Negative feedback shuts off the original stimulus or reduces its intensity, moving the variable back toward the set point. Most homeostatic control mechanisms use negative feedback.

Explain positive feedback and provide examples.

Positive feedback has an amplifying effect that increases the original stimulus, pushing the variable further away from the set point. Examples include blood clotting, birth of a baby, and sexual response.

What is the outcome of homeostatic imbalance?

Homeostatic imbalance results in disease, which may be caused by infection, injury, or genetic abnormality.

List the main elements that form the bulk of body matter.

The four major elements are hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and carbon (C).

What are the subatomic particles and their charges?

Protons (positive), neutrons (neutral), and electrons (negative).

Define atomic number, atomic mass, isotope, and radioisotope.

Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom. Atomic mass is the sum of protons and neutrons. Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Radioisotopes are unstable isotopes that decompose to more stable isotopes.

Explain the octet rule.

Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a full valence shell, typically with eight electrons.

Name the four types of chemical bonds.

Ionic, polar covalent, nonpolar covalent, and hydrogen bonds.

Differentiate between organic and inorganic compounds.

Organic compounds contain carbon, while inorganic compounds generally do not (with some exceptions like CO2).

Differentiate between a salt, an acid, and a base.

Salts are ionic compounds. Acids are proton donors, and bases are proton acceptors.

What are the vital properties of water?

High heat capacity, high heat of vaporization, polar solvent properties, chemical reactivity, and cushioning.

Explain the importance of pH and state the pH of blood.

pH measures H+ concentration. Normal blood pH range is 7.35-7.45.

Contrast dehydration and hydrolysis reactions.

Dehydration reactions join monomers into polymers by removing water, while hydrolysis reactions break polymers down into monomers by adding water.

List the building blocks of carbohydrates.

Monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, ribose, and deoxyribose.

What are the building blocks of lipids?

Glycerol and fatty acids.

What are the building blocks of proteins?

Amino acids.

Compare and contrast the structure and functions of DNA and RNA.

DNA is double-stranded. RNA is single-stranded. DNA stores genetic information, while RNA is involved in protein synthesis.

Explain the role of enzymes.

Enzymes are globular proteins and biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

Explain the importance of ATP in the body.

ATP is the chemical energy used by all cells for transport, mechanical, and chemical work.

Name the three main parts of a generalized cell.

plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus

What is the Fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane?

Membrane is neither rigid nor static in structure but instead highly flexible and can change its shape and composition through time

List the 3 major components of the plasma membrane.

Phospholipids, proteins, and cholesterol

Name three modes of membrane transport

Simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion and active transport.

Name the 4 phases of mitosis.

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

At approximately what age does bone mass peak.

Around age 30