Anatomy and Physiology Module 1 Lesson 1

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering basic anatomy, physiology, levels of organization, the 11 organ systems, characteristics of life, homeostasis, and anatomical terminology.

Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body, essentially answering the question 'What is it?'

Physiology

The study of the processes and functions of the body, essentially answering the question 'How does it work?'

Chemical Level

The smallest level of organization that involves how atoms interact and combine into molecules such as $H_2O$, $O_2$, and Glucose.

Cell Level

The basic structural and functional unit of organisms and the smallest living unit, such as red blood cells or nerve cells.

Tissue Level

A group of similar cells and the material surrounding them, such as muscle, nervous, epithelial, or connective tissue.

Organ Level

A level of organization composed of two or more tissue types that together perform one or more common functions, such as the heart or stomach.

Organ System Level

A group of organs classified as a unit because of a common function or set of functions, such as the digestive system.

Organism Level

The highest level of organization, consisting of a complex of organ systems that are mutually dependent upon each other, such as a human.

Integumentary System

The system that protects the body from injury and infection, and helps regulate body temperature using organs like skin, hair, and nails.

Skeletal System

The system that supports the body, protects internal organs, and works with muscles to produce movement using bones and joints.

Muscular System

The system that allows movement, maintains posture, and produces heat through skeletal muscles and tendons.

Nervous System

The system that controls and coordinates body activities and responds to environmental changes via the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

Endocrine System

The system that regulates body functions by releasing hormones into the bloodstream through glands like the pituitary and thyroid.

Cardiovascular System

The system that pumps blood, delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells, and removes waste products using the heart and blood vessels.

Lymphatic System

The system that returns fluid to the blood, fights infection, and maintains fluid balance through lymph nodes and vessels.

Respiratory System

The system that brings $O_2$ into the body and removes $CO_2$ using organs like the lungs, trachea, and bronchi.

Digestive System

The system that breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste through organs like the stomach, intestines, and liver.

Urinary System

The system that removes waste from the blood and regulates fluid and electrolyte balance via the kidneys and bladder.

Reproductive System

The system responsible for reproduction and the production of sex hormones through organs like the testes or ovaries.

Organization (Characteristic of Life)

The specific relationship of the many individual parts of an organism where all parts work together.

Metabolism

The ability to use energy to perform vital functions such as growth, movement, and reproduction by converting food into energy.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense changes in the environment and make adjustments that help maintain its life.

Growth

The essential characteristic of life referring to an increase in the size of all or part of the organism.

Development

The changes an organism undergoes through time, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional changes from infancy to adulthood.

Reproduction (Characteristic of Life)

The formation of new cells for growth and repair or the production of new organisms to continue the species.

Homeostasis

The steady state or balance in which body functions and fluids are maintained within a range of values suitable to support life.

Stimulus

A change that occurs inside or outside the body that triggers a homeostatic response.

Receptor

The component in a feedback mechanism that detects a change or stimulus.

Control Center

The component that processes detected information, decides what to do, and sends signals to the effector.

Effector

The part of the body that carries out the response dictated by the control center to restore balance.

Response

The action produced by the effector that returns the body toward its balanced state or set point.

Negative Feedback

A mechanism that regulates most body systems by making deviations from the set point smaller or resisting them.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism where the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, enhancing the change until a process is complete.

Set Point

The ideal or normal value of a body function that homeostatic mechanisms aim to maintain.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, face directed forward, upper limbs at the sides, palms of the hands facing forward, and feet flat.

Superior (Cranial)

A directional term meaning toward the head or the upper part of a structure; above.

Inferior (Caudal)

A directional term meaning toward the feet or the lower part of a structure; below.

Anterior (Ventral)

A directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

A directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Medial

A directional term meaning toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

A directional term meaning away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

A directional term meaning closer to the point of attachment or origin of a structure.

Distal

A directional term meaning farther from the point of attachment or origin of a structure.

Superficial (External)

A directional term meaning toward or on the surface of the body.

Deep (Internal)

A directional term meaning away from the surface of the body; internal.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that separates the body into right and left parts.

Median Plane

A specific sagittal plane that passes through the midline, dividing the body into equal right and left halves.

Transverse Plane

A plane running parallel to the ground that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Frontal Plane

A plane running vertically from right to left that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.

Longitudinal Section

An anatomical cut made along the length of an organ.

Transverse Section

Also called a cross section, this cut goes completely through an organ, similar to slicing a hot dog into rounds.

Oblique Section

An anatomical cut made diagonally across the long axis of an organ.

Thoracic Cavity

The trunk cavity surrounded by the rib cage and separated from the abdominal cavity by the diaphragm.

Abdominal Cavity

The trunk cavity bounded by abdominal muscles containing the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys.

Pelvic Cavity

The small space enclosed by the bones of the pelvis containing the bladder and internal reproductive organs.

Visceral Membrane

A serous membrane that is in direct contact with and covers the organs.

Parietal Membrane

A serous membrane that lines the walls of a body cavity.

Diaphragm

The muscular structure that separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity.

Childbirth (Labor)

A body process where contractions get stronger and more frequent until delivery, showcasing positive feedback.

Blood Clotting

A physiological process where platelets attract more platelets until a wound is sealed, illustrating positive feedback.