bio 112 - chapter 1 - introduction to human anatomy & physiology

what is anatomy?

anatomy is the study of the structure, form, and organization of the body and its parts

what is physiology?

Physiology is the study of the functions of body parts and how they work and interact

what is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

anatomy = structure; physiology = function

why are greek and latin important in anatomy?

greek and latin words form much of the terminology used in anatomy and physiology

what is the smallest unit of a chemical?

atom

what is a molecule?

a molecule consists of two or more atoms

what is a macromolecule?

a macromolecule is a large particle composed of smaller molecules bound together

why were anatomy and physiology studied historically?

early healers used magic, superstition, herbs, and chemicals. later, dissection and experiments helped people understand the body better

what is the smallest unit that displays all characteristics of life?

cell

what is a cell?

the cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living things

what is a tissue?

a tissue is a group of cells that function together

what is an organ?

a group of tissues that performs specialized funtions

what is an organ system?

a group of organs that work together to perform a specific function

what is an organism?

a complete living individual made of organ systems functioning together

what is the order of increasing organization?

atoms → molecules → macromolecules → cells → tissues → organs → organ system → organism

which level is the basic unit of life?

cell

what are the major characteristics of life?

growth, reproduction, responsiveness, movement, and metabolism

what is growth?

an increase in body size and/or the size and number of cells

what is reproduction?

production of new organisms or new cells

what is responsiveness?

the ability to react to internal or external changes

what is movement?

a change in position of the body or a body part; it can also include movement of internal organs

what is metabolism?

the sum of all chemical reactions occurring in cells as the body obtains nutrients, breaks down and synthesizes chemicals, and removes wastes

what is respiration?

release of energy from food using oxygen and producing carbon dioxide

what is digestion?

breakdown of food into usable forms that can be absorbed into the blood

what is circulation?

movement of cells and chemicals through body fluids

what is excretion?

removal of metabolic wastes from the body

what are the requirements for maintaining life?

water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, food/nutrients, wastes removal, heat, and pressure

why is water important?

water is the most abundent chemical in the body. it supports metabolism, transports substances, regulates temperature, and makes up body fluids

what is the role of oxygen?

oxygen is used to releae energy from food

what is carbon dioxide?

waste product of food breakdown that is exchanged with the environment

why does the body need nutrients?

nutrients provide energy and material needed for body processes

what is heat?

energy produced by metabolism that affects body temperature and chemical reactions

why is pressure important?

atmospheric pressure is needed for breathing, while hydrostatic pressure helps move blood

what is homeostasis?

the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment

why is homeostasis important?

cells and organs function properly when body conditions stay within normal ranges

what is a homeostatic mechanism?

a self-regulating control system used by the body to maintain homeostasis

what is a receptor?

a structure that detects and monitors changes or deviations from the normal condition/set point

what is a set point?

the normal or desired value or range that the body attempts to maintain

what is an effector?

a muscle or gland that produces a response bring a variable back toward its set point

what are three major components emphasized in the powerpoint?

receptors, set point, and effectors

what is negative feedback?

a mechanism that corrects changes and returns a variable toward normal

is negative feedback common?

yes, it is the most common type of homeostatic mechanism

what happens during negative feedback?

receptors detect a change, effectors respond, and the response reduces the original deviation

give an example of negative feedback

body temperature regulation and blood pressure regulation are examples

what happens when the body becomes cold?

thermoreceptors detect the decrease → signals go to the brains control center → skin blood vessels constrict → shivering produces heat → temperature returns to normal

what happens when the body becomes warm?

thermoreceptors detect the increase → signals go to the brain → sweating increases → skin blood vessels dilate → heart and breathing rates increase → heat is lost

what is positive feedback?

a mechanism in which a change from the set point increases the original change rather than correcting it

is positive feedback common?

no, it is less common and is usually short-lived

give an example of positive feedback

blood clotting and childbirth contractions are examples

how does blood cotting demonstrate positive feedback?

blood clotting stimulates additional clotting until bleeding is stopped

how does childbirth demonstrate positive feedback?

uterine contractions stimulate more contractions, which eventually lead to birth

how does the digestive system contribute to homeostasis?

it brings nurtients into the body

how does respiratory system contribute to homeostasis?

it brings oxygen into the body and removes carbon dioxide

how does cardiovascular system contribute to homeostasis?

it distributes oxygen and nutrients to cells and transports wastes away

how do the urinary and respiratory systems contribule to homeostasis?

they help remove wastes from the body