chapter 1: Form and Function: Anatomy and Physiology

A set of Q&A flashcards covering key concepts from the provided lecture notes on anatomy, physiology, body organization, life processes, organ systems, and homeostasis.

What are the subdivisions of anatomy?

Gross/macroscopic, regional, system, surface, microscopic (cytology and histology), and developmental anatomy.

What does physiology study?

How the body’s abilities depend on chemical reactions in cells, requiring basic physical and chemical principles, and the complementarity of structure and function.

What are the structural levels of organization in the human body from smallest to largest?

Chemical level → Cellular level → Tissue level → Organ level → Organ system level → Organismal level.

Name the necessary life functions.

Maintaining boundaries; movement; responsiveness; digestion; metabolism; excretion; reproduction; growth.

How many organ systems maintain life in humans?

Eleven organ systems.

What are the major functions of the Integumentary System?

Forms external covering; protects deeper tissues; synthesizes vitamin D; houses cutaneous receptors; contains sweat and oil glands; includes hair, skin, and nails.

What are the major functions of the Skeletal System?

Protects and supports body organs; provides a framework for movement; site of blood cell formation; stores minerals.

What are the major functions of the Muscular System?

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression; maintains posture; produces heat.

What is the role of the Nervous System?

Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external changes by activating muscles and glands.

Which glands are included in the Endocrine System and what do they do?

Glands such as pineal, pituitary, thyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, testes, and ovaries; secrete hormones that regulate growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

What are the major components and function of the Cardiovascular System?

Heart and blood vessels; transports blood carrying oxygen, CO2, nutrients, and wastes; heart pumps blood.

What are the major components and functions of the Lymphatic System/Immunity?

Red bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic vessels, thoracic duct, spleen, lymph nodes; returns leaked fluid, disposes of debris, houses lymphocytes; mounts immune response.

What are the major components and function of the Respiratory System?

Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs; gas exchanges occur in alveoli; keeps blood oxygenated and removes CO2.

What are the major components and function of the Digestive System?

Oral cavity, esophagus, liver, stomach, small and large intestine, rectum, anus; breaks down food; absorbs nutrients; eliminates indigestible material as feces.

What are the major components and function of the Urinary System?

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra; eliminates nitrogenous wastes; regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

What is the Male Reproductive System composed of and what is its function?

Prostate, penis, testes, ductus deferens, scrotum; production of offspring; testes produce sperm and hormones; ducts/glands aid delivery of sperm.

What is the Female Reproductive System composed of and what is its function?

Ovaries, uterus, vagina, uterine tubes, mammary glands; production of offspring; eggs and hormones; site of fertilization and fetal development; mammary glands produce milk.

What are the body survival needs?

Nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and appropriate atmospheric pressure.

What is homeostasis?

Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite external changes; organ systems work together, coordinated by the nervous and endocrine systems.

What are examples of homeostatic variables?

Blood glucose concentration, body temperature, blood volume, chemical composition of the blood, and blood pressure.

What are the three components of a homeostatic control mechanism?

Receptor (sensor), control center, and effector.

What is negative feedback?

A mechanism that corrects a variable back toward its preset range; the corrective action reduces the change and the loop turns off when in range; most common.

What is positive feedback?

A mechanism that amplifies a change, producing a cascade of events; not common in the body; typically stops at a defined event.

What is homeostatic imbalance?

Disease resulting from disturbance of homeostasis; negative feedback can be overwhelmed; control systems become less efficient with age.

What does the phrase 'complementarity of structure and function' mean in physiology?

Form relates to function; the structure of a body part enables its function, and its function reflects its structure.