Lab 1 Intro and Homeostasis

Anatomy

studies the form and structure of the body

Physiology

examines the function of body structures, typically focusing on the molecular and cellular level

Independent Variable

The variable set during the experiment by the researcher to determine its impact

Dependent Variable

The variable measured during the experiment to evaluate changes that occur related to the independent variable

Confounding variable

An unaccounted for variable that may affect experimentation by having an unknown impact on both the independent and dependent variables

Hypothesis

A testable prediction or educated guess about the relationship between variables in an experiment.

Anatomical Position

refers to the body in the upright position, facing forward, with the legs shoulder-width apart and parallel, and the palms of the hands facing forward.

Prone

when laying down on the stomach (face down)

Supine

when laying down on the back (face up)

What plane is this?

coronal (frontal)

What plane is this?

Transverse

What plane is this?

Midsagittal

Oblique Plane

passes at an angle to the other planes

Sagittal Plane

a longitudinal, vertical plane that is parallel to the midline

Anterior and Posterior

direction relative to front (belly side) or back of the body

Anterior

in front of; toward the front surface

Posterior

in back of; toward the back surface

Superior and Inferior

direction relative to the head or bottom of the body

Superior

closer to the head

Inferior

closer to the feet

Medial, Lateral, Deep, Superficial

direction relative to the midline of the body

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Deep

closer to the inside, internal to another structure

Superficial

closer to the outside, external to another surface

Proximal and Distal

direction relative to point of attachment of appendage

Proximal

closer to point of attachment to trunk

Distal

farther away from point of attachment to trunk

Homeostasis

a self-regulating process that allows biological systems to remain stable while responding to shifting environmental factors

What is the order of the Homeostatic control mechanism?

1. Stimulus

2. Receptor

3. Control Center

4. Effector

5. Homeostasis restored

Receptor

detects change in a variable

Control center

interprets input from the receptor and initiates changes through effector

Effector

the structure that brings about changes to alter the stimulus

Stimulus

changes in a regulated variable (ex. temperature)

Set Point

the physiological, ideal value or narrow range that the body works to maintain for homeostasis

Vasodilation

An increase in the diameter of blood vessels results in increased blood flow toward the surface of the skin

How does vasodilation affect body temperature?

Increased capillary blood flow enhances heat loss by radiation cooling the body

Vasoconstriction

decrease in the diameter of blood vessels results in reduced blood flow toward the surface of the skin

How does vasoconstriction affect body temperature?

reduces heat loss by radiation, helping maintain core body temperature