Chapter 1: The Human Body & Orientation

Vocabulary flashcards covering core anatomical terminology, levels of structural organization, life functions, homeostasis mechanisms, and body cavities.

anatomy

the study of the structure & shape of body parts and their relationships to each other

physiology

the study of how the body functions & how its parts work in relation to each other

principle of complementarity

structure denotes function, things work the way they do because of how they look.

chemical level

where atoms combine to form molecules

cellular level

where molecules group together to form cells

tissue level

where groups of similar cells working together to perform a specific function

organ level

where organs are made up of different types of tissues working together

organ system level

where different organs work together closely

organismal level

the sum total of all structural levels working together to keep the organism alive

responsiveness

ability to sense changes in the environment and respond to them

digestion

breaking down ingested foodstuffs to simple molecules that can be absorbed into the blood

metabolism

all chemical reactions that occur within body cells

excretion

process of removing nonuseful waste substances produced during digestion and metabolism from the body

growth

increase in size of a body part or the organism as a whole

homeostasis

the bodys ability to maintain a stable internal environment when the external world is constantly changing

receptor

a sensor that detects stimuli & sends input information along the afferent pathway to the control center

control center

determines the set point

effector

the vehicle of response

negative feedback mechanism

the response reduces/stops the stimulus to maintain homeostasis

positive feedback mechanism

the response increases or accelerates the stimulus until it resolves itself

anatomical Position

erect position with feet slightly apart arms at the sides & palms facing forward with thumbs pointing away from the body

movement

all activities promoted by the muscular system

maintaining boundaries

keeping the internal movement distinct from the external enviroment

reproduction

the production of offspring occuring at 2 distinct levels

what are the survival needs of the human body

nutrients,water,oxygen stable body temperature, atmospheric pressure

homeostatic imbalance

a disturbance in the body’s normal equilibrium where internal control systems fail to maintain a stable environment