Physiology and Structural Organization of the Body

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on physiology, body organization, the 11 organ systems, their components and functions, and homeostasis.

physiology

The study of how the body parts function and how they are structurally and functionally organized within living organisms.

six structural levels of organization

Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism.

chemical level

Atoms combine to form molecules; example: collagen molecules form strong, rope-like fibers that give skin strength and flexibility.

cell level

The basic living unit of all plants and animals; the nucleus contains hereditary information and mitochondria produce ATP (energy for the cell).

tissue level

A group of similar cells and the surrounding material; four primary tissue types are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.

four primary tissue types

Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous.

organ

A structure composed of two or more tissue types that together perform one or more common functions.

organ system

A group of organs classified as a unit due to a common function; for example, the urinary system includes the kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra.

major organ systems

Eleven major organ systems: Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Lymphatic, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Endocrine, Cardiovascular, Urinary, and Reproductive.

organism

Any living thing considered as a whole; the human organism is a complex system of interdependent organ systems.

essential characteristics of life

Organization; metabolism; responsiveness; growth; development; reproduction; and maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment via homeostatic mechanisms.

organization

Parts of an organism have specific relationships to each other and interact to perform a function.

metabolism

The sum of chemical and physical changes occurring in an organism.

responsiveness

The ability to sense changes in the environment and adjust to maintain life; includes homeostatic mechanisms.

homeostasis

The existence and maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment within the body.

growth

An increase in size of all parts of an organism.

development

The sequence of changes an organism undergoes over time, from fertilization to death.

reproduction

Formation of new cells or new organisms.

homeostatic mechanisms

Processes that maintain internal stability, such as sweating or shivering to regulate temperature.

Integumentary system

Components: skin, hair, nails, sweat glands; Functions: protection, regulate body temperature, prevent water loss, and produce vitamin D.

Skeletal system

Components: bones, cartilages, ligaments, joints; Functions: protection and support, allows movement, produces blood cells, stores minerals and fats.

Muscular system

Components: skeletal muscles and tendons; Functions: produce body movement, maintain posture, and generate body heat.

Lymphatic and immune system

Components: lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic organs; Functions: remove foreign substances, help fight diseases, maintain tissue fluid balance, and absorb fat from the digestive tract.

Respiratory system

Components: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs; Functions: exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and air, and regulation of blood pH.

Digestive system

Components: mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory digestive glands; Functions: breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients, elimination of waste.

Nervous system

Components: brain, spinal cord, spinal and cranial nerves, sensory receptors; Functions: detects sensations and controls body movement, physiologic processes, and intellectual functions.

Endocrine system

Glands: pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries, and testes; Functions: regulate metabolism, growth, reproduction, and other functions.

Cardiovascular system

Components: heart, arteries, veins, blood; Functions: transports nutrients, wastes, gases, and hormones; contributes to immune response and body temperature regulation.

Urinary system

Components: kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra; Functions: remove waste products from blood and regulate blood pH, ion balance, and water balance.

Reproductive system

Male: testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, ejaculatory duct, penis. Female: ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina; Functions: Female – production of oocytes, site of fertilization and fetal development, milk production, hormone production; Male – production and transfer of sperm and hormones.

organ system

work in a coordinated manner to maintain homeostasis and support life.