BIO101M Lecture: Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental terms and concepts introduced in the BIO101M Anatomy and Physiology lecture.

Anatomy

Scientific discipline that investigates the structure of the body through observation and dissection.

Physiology

Scientific discipline that studies the functions and processes of living things.

Systemic Anatomy

Approach to anatomy in which the body is studied by individual organ systems.

Regional Anatomy

Approach to anatomy in which the body is studied by specific areas or regions simultaneously.

Surface Anatomy

Study of external features, such as bony projections, used as landmarks for locating deeper structures.

Anatomical Imaging

Use of X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, and related technologies to create internal body images without invasive surgery.

Pathophysiology

Medical science focused on the cause, development, and structural-functional changes associated with disease.

Cell Physiology

Branch of physiology that examines processes occurring inside individual cells, such as protein synthesis.

Systemic Physiology

Branch of physiology that studies the functions of entire organ systems.

Chemical Level

Smallest level of organization; atoms combine to form molecules essential for life.

Cellular Level

Level where molecules form cells, the basic structural and functional units of organisms.

Tissue Level

Level in which similar cells and surrounding materials form tissues with common functions.

Organ Level

Level where two or more tissue types combine to perform specific functions as organs.

Organ System Level

Group of organs that work together to perform major body functions.

Organism Level

Highest level of organization; an individual living being in which all systems function together.

Integumentary System

Skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands; provides protection, prevents water loss, regulates temperature, and helps produce vitamin D.

Endocrine System

Glands such as the pituitary that secrete hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and more.

Nervous System

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and receptors; detects sensations and controls movements, processes, and intellect.

Muscular System

Skeletal muscles and associated tissues; produces movement, maintains posture, and generates body heat.

Skeletal System

Bones, cartilages, ligaments, and joints; provides support, protection, movement, blood cell production, and mineral storage.

Cardiovascular System

Heart, blood, and vessels; transports nutrients, gases, wastes, and hormones, and aids in immune response and temperature regulation.

Lymphatic System

Lymphatic vessels, nodes, thymus, spleen, and tissues; removes foreign substances, combats disease, maintains fluid balance, absorbs fats.

Digestive System

Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs; performs digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination.

Respiratory System

Lungs, diaphragm, and respiratory passages; exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide and regulates blood pH.

Urinary System

Kidneys, bladder, and urinary ducts; removes wastes from blood and regulates pH, ion, and water balance.

Female Reproductive System

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary glands; produces oocytes, site of fertilization, nourishes newborn, secretes sex hormones.

Male Reproductive System

Testes, ducts, accessory structures, penis; produces and delivers sperm and secretes sex hormones.

Organization (Life Characteristic)

Specific interrelationships of body parts, from organelles to organs, working together.

Metabolism

Ability to use energy to perform vital functions such as growth, movement, and reproduction.

Responsiveness

Capacity to sense changes in the internal or external environment and adjust accordingly.

Growth

Increase in size of all or part of an organism through cell number, size, or extracellular material.

Development

All changes an organism undergoes from fertilization to death.

Differentiation

Process by which cells change from an immature generalized state to a mature specialized state.

Reproduction

Formation of new cells or new organisms.

Homeostasis

Dynamic equilibrium maintaining a relatively constant internal environment despite external or internal fluctuations.

Negative Feedback Mechanism

Homeostatic process that reduces or resists deviations from a set point, helping maintain stability.

Positive Feedback Mechanism

Process in which the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, increasing deviation from the set point.

Receptor

Component of feedback that monitors the value of a variable and detects stimuli.

Control Center

Feedback component that determines the set point and processes input from receptors.

Effector

Structure that changes the value of a variable when directed by the control center to restore homeostasis.

Set Point

Ideal normal value around which a physiological variable is maintained.

Stimulus

Change in a variable that initiates a homeostatic response.