Anatomy, Physiology, Christianity, and Science

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering the integration of Christianity and science, worldviews, anatomical levels of organization, physiology, homeostasis, and feedback systems.

Characteristics of Scientific Law (Reflection of God)

The ways scientific laws reflect God's nature: they do not change like God, gravity is invisible just as God is invisible. Scientific laws have always been there, and we can’t explain why/ how either of them work

Theism / Creationism

The worldview stating that life and all material entities are the creation of God.

Naturalism / Materialism

The worldview that views matter as the self-existent source of everything else.

Worldview

An individual's foundational set of beliefs that serves as a foundation for doing science.

Creation Mandate

Gods instruction for us to fill and subdue the earth and have dominion over it.

Unity of Truth

The principle that all truth is united through its creator, meaning the truth of science will complement the truth of the Bible.

Science and Theology Diagram

A framework based on Colossians 1:16-17 showing that God is the author of Nature and Scripture (which are always in agreement), while human interpretation produces Science and Theology, leading to potential conflict between the two human interpretations.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body structures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye and require microscopic magnification.

Gross Anatomy

The study of large, visible body structures that can be examined without microscopic magnification.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of anatomical structures organ system by organ system.

Levels of Structural Organization

The sequence of organizational complexity in the body: atoms/molecules -> organelles -> cells -> tissues -> organs -> organ systems -> organisms.

Physiology

The study of the functions of an organism and its parts, whose main goal is to maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis

The state of balance or equilibrium maintained within the body.

Stress (Biological)

Something in the environment that causes one or more variables to move too far from their target level, creating an imbalance that affects health and must be corrected (e.g., glucose levels and body temperature).

Nervous and Endocrine Systems

The body's main detector and control center systems for sensing and correcting environmental stress to maintain homeostasis.

Negative Feedback System

A primary body mechanism that maintains homeostasis by detecting a change in a variable and producing a response with the opposite effect.

Receptor

monitors the current value of the body's variables (e.g., heat receptors).

Control Center

establishes the appropriate target range for variables (e.g., the brain).

Effector

changes the value of a variable so that it stays inside the appropriate target range (e.g., sweat glands).

Positive Feedback System

A mechanism that produces an increased effect in response to a stimulus; it can lead to health problems or death if continued, but is used temporarily (e.g., during childbirth) before being stopped and switched back to negative feedback.