Human Anatomy & Physiology- Chapter 1

Anatomy

study of the structure

Physiology

the study of the fuction

Inductive Method

A scientific approach that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, and then testing them to develop broader generalizations or theories.

Hypothetico-deductive method

A scientific method that begins with a hypothesis, then deduces predictions based on that hypothesis, which can be tested through experimentation.

Sample size

the number of observations or replicates used in an experiment or study.

Control

A variable kept constant to assess the effect of the experimental variable.

Psychomathic effects

The effects that involve the interaction between psychological and mathematical factors, influencing decision-making and behavior in quantifiable situations.

Double Blind Method

A research design where neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving the treatment, eliminating bias.

Statistical Tests

Methods used to analyze data and assess hypotheses in experimental research.

Fact

A statement that can be proven true or false based on evidence.

Law

A scientifically proven principle that describes phenomena under certain conditions, often expressed mathematically.

Theory

A well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence and repeatedly tested through observation and experimentation.

Evolution

The scientific theory that species change over time through natural selection and genetic variation.

Natural Selection

The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. It is a key mechanism of evolution.

Adaptation Pressures

Factors that influence survival and reproduction in a specific environment, leading to evolutionary changes.

Vestigial Organs

Anatomical remnants that were once functional in ancestral species.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, a key characteristic of humans and some other primates that has evolved over time.

Reductionism

An approach that analyzes complex systems by examining their individual components and simpler parts.

Holism

The theory that various systems and their properties should be viewed as wholes, not just a collection of parts. Holism emphasizes the interdependence of elements within a system.

Cellular Compotision

The organization and structure of cells that make up living organisms, emphasizing how cell types and their interactions contribute to the overall function of an organism.

Metabolism

The set of life-sustaining chemical reactions that occur within cells, including catabolism and anabolism.

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce new individuals of the same kind. Reproduction can be sexual or asexual, ensuring the continuation of a species.

Homeostatis

The regulatory process by which an organism maintains stable internal conditions despite external changes, essential for survival.

Evolution

The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms, driven by natural selection and genetic variation.

Responsiveness and Movement

The ability of an organism to respond to stimuli in its environment and to move according to those responses.