magnet anatomy and physiology - midterm (MCQ/FRQ)

What are the characteristics of microglia?

Microglia are the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, involved in the maintenance and surveillance of the neural environment.

What are the characteristics of oligodendrocytes?

Oligodendrocytes are glial cells that produce myelin in the central nervous system, allowing for faster signal transmission between neurons.

What are the characteristics of astrocytes?

Astrocytes are star-shaped glial cells that support neurons, regulate blood flow, maintain the blood-brain barrier, and influence synaptic transmission.

What are the characteristics of apocrine glands?

Apocrine glands secrete a thick, fatty sweat into hair follicles, primarily in axillary and genital areas, and are associated with odor.

What are the characteristics of eccrine glands?

Eccrine glands are sweat glands that secrete a watery sweat directly onto the skin surface and play a crucial role in thermoregulation.

What are the characteristics of sebaceous glands?

Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair, helping to prevent water loss.

What is the function of keratin?

Keratin is a fibrous protein that provides structural support and waterproofing in tissues such as skin, hair, and nails.

Where is keratin found in the body?

Keratin is found in the outer layer of the skin, hair, nails, and in certain epithelial tissues.

Describe the structure of a muscle fiber.

A muscle fiber is a multinucleated, elongated cell with striations, containing myofibrils made of actin and myosin for contraction.

What is the function of a muscle fiber?

Muscle fibers contract to produce movement, stabilize joints, and maintain posture.

What are osteoblasts?

Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells that synthesize and secrete the bone matrix.

What are osteoclasts?

Osteoclasts are large cells that resorb bone tissue, breaking down bone to release minerals and facilitate remodeling.

How do osteoblasts and osteoclasts contribute to bone remodeling?

Osteoblasts build new bone while osteoclasts break down old bone, maintaining bone health and adapting to stress.

What are the major muscles of the shoulder?

The major muscles of the shoulder include the deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis.

What are the striations in skeletal muscle cells due to?

Striations in skeletal muscle cells are due to the organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments within sarcomeres.

What are the striations in cardiac muscle cells due to?

Cardiac muscle cells exhibit striations similar to skeletal muscle, caused by the organization of contractile proteins.

What is the difference between sagittal and frontal planes?

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections, while the frontal plane divides it into anterior and posterior sections.

What is the transverse plane?

The transverse plane divides the body into superior and inferior sections.

Where is smooth muscle found in the body?

Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs such as the intestines, blood vessels, bladder, and uterus.

What are the characteristics of epithelial tissue?

Epithelial tissue is characterized by closely packed cells, a minimal extracellular matrix, a basement membrane, and being avascular.

Which bone in the leg aids in stabilizing the ankle but does not bear weight?

The fibula aids in stabilizing the ankle but is primarily non-weight-bearing.

Which type of joint allows the human thumb to be opposable?

The saddle joint at the base of the thumb allows for opposition.

How do neurons increase the strength of a nerve signal?

Neurons increase signal strength through the frequency of action potentials, not the size of individual signals.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures, commonly associated with hormonal changes.

Which hormone is most notably associated with osteoporosis?

Estrogen deficiency, particularly in postmenopausal women, is notably associated with osteoporosis.

What are the regions of the vertebral column?

The vertebral column consists of five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal.

How do the somatic nervous system and neurotransmitters stimulate muscle contractions?

The somatic nervous system stimulates skeletal muscles via motor neurons releasing acetylcholine, leading to muscle contraction.

What are the accessory structures in the integumentary system?

Accessory structures include hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and nails, contributing to protection and thermoregulation.

What is cartilage?

Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that provides support, reduces friction, and absorbs shock between joints.

How do you distinguish cartilage from other tissues?

Cartilage has a unique structure with a gel-like extracellular matrix and lacks blood vessels.

What are the characteristics of a fibrous joint?

Fibrous joints are connected by dense connective tissue and allow for little to no movement.

What are the characteristics of a synovial joint?

Synovial joints have a synovial cavity, articular cartilage, and are freely movable.

What are the characteristics of a cartilaginous joint?

Cartilaginous joints are connected by cartilage and allow limited movement.

What muscle acts as the prime mover in inspiration?

The diaphragm acts as the prime mover in inspiration.

What is the feedback loop for blood sugar regulation?

The feedback loop involves insulin and glucagon, with the pancreas as the effector organ regulating blood sugar levels.

Which structure on the posterior side of the brain is responsible for posture and balance?

The cerebellum is responsible for posture, balance, and coordinating smooth movements.

What happens during each stage of an action potential graph?

Stages include depolarization, repolarization, and hyperpolarization, reflecting changes in membrane potential during nerve transmission.

How is a muscle that maintains posture contracting?

A muscle maintaining posture contracts isometrically, generating tension without changing length.

What are the levels of organization in the body?

Levels include chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, system, and organism, from most basic to most complex.

What are the characteristics of connective tissue?

Connective tissue includes a diverse range of cell types, an abundant extracellular matrix, and supports, binds, and protects tissues.

What are the different types of synovial joints?

Types include hinge, ball-and-socket, pivot, saddle, plane, and condyloid joints.

What are the structures of the integument from superficial to deep?

Structures include the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.

What are the characteristics of light and dark matter in the brain?

Light matter refers to myelinated axons, while dark matter typically references neuronal cell bodies.

What are the characteristics of different types of skeletal muscle contractions?

Types include isotonic (concentric and eccentric), isometric, and twitch contractions.

What can affect the response of a target cell to a hormone?

Factors include receptor presence, hormone concentration, and the target cell's sensitivity.

What are the bones that make up the ankle?

The ankle is made up of the tibia, fibula, and tarsal bones such as the talus and calcaneus.

Which cell organelles are most abundant in trachea lining cells?

Cilia are the most abundant organelles, assisting in moving mucus and trapped particles.

Which muscle is antagonistic to the gastrocnemius?

The tibialis anterior is antagonistic to the gastrocnemius.

What are the bones of the appendicular skeleton?

The appendicular skeleton includes the limbs and their associated girdles, which are more flexible than the axial skeleton.

How does the importance of myelin affect signal transmission?

Myelin insulates axons and increases the speed of electrical impulses along nerve fibers.

How do the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis compare?

The epidermis is the outer layer with protective functions, the dermis provides strength and stability, and the hypodermis stores fat.

What would happen if the body could not produce sufficient levels of keratin?

Inadequate keratin production could result in vulnerable skin, hair loss, and difficulty in maintaining barrier functions.

Describe the sliding filament model of muscle contraction.

The model explains that during contraction, myosin heads pull actin filaments toward the center of the sarcomere.

What is an example of chemical protection provided by the skin?

The skin secretes antimicrobial substances like defensins that protect against infections.

How does body temperature regulation work?

It involves hypothalamic control of sweat glands and blood vessels, utilizing hormones like adrenaline and vasopressin.

How does the structure of a long bone differ from that of short, flat, or irregular bones?

Long bones have a cylindrical shape and a medullary cavity, while short bones are cube-shaped, flat bones are thin and curved, and irregular bones have complex shapes.

What are the major body cavities and the organs they hold?

Major cavities include the cranial cavity (brain), thoracic cavity (lungs, heart), abdominal cavity (digestive organs), and pelvic cavity (reproductive organs).

What are the dendritic cells in the epidermis responsible for?

Dendritic cells are responsible for immune response and pathogen detection in the skin.

Where are dendritic cells most abundant?

Dendritic cells are most abundant in the stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis.

What is the purpose of collagen fibers in tendons and ligaments?

Collagen fibers provide tensile strength and support in tendons and ligaments.

What happens at the ends of a skeletal muscle where connective tissue components merge?

At the ends, tendons merge with muscle fibers to transmit force to bones during contraction.

What region of the brain is involved in language processing?

The Broca's and Wernicke's areas in the cerebral cortex are involved in language processing.

What is the difference between positive and negative feedback mechanisms?

Positive feedback amplifies a response while negative feedback reduces it; childbirth and temperature regulation are examples.

What are examples of positive feedback mechanisms?

Examples include blood clotting and the process of childbirth.

What are examples of negative feedback mechanisms?

Examples include the regulation of blood sugar levels and body temperature.

What neurotransmitters are responsible for addiction?

Dopamine and serotonin are key neurotransmitters associated with addiction.