BIOL 233 Anatomy and Physiology – Chapter 1 Key Concepts (Flashcards)

Question-and-answer flashcards covering Chapter 1 topics: anatomy and physiology definitions, levels of organization, tissues, organ systems, homeostasis, life functions, and survival needs.

What is anatomy?

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another.

What is physiology?

The study of the function of body parts; how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

What are the subdivisions of gross (macroscopic) anatomy?

Regional anatomy; system (systemic) anatomy; surface anatomy.

What are the microscopic subdivisions of anatomy?

Cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues).

What does developmental anatomy study?

Anatomical and physiological development throughout life.

What is embryology?

The study of developments before birth.

What are the subdivisions of physiology?

Based on organ systems; often focuses on cellular and molecular levels, depending on chemical reactions in cells.

What basic physical principles must be understood to study physiology?

Electrical currents, pressure, movement, and chemical principles.

What is the principle of complementarity of structure and function?

Anatomy and physiology are inseparable; function reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its form.

What are the six levels of structural organization in the human body?

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

What are the four types of tissues?

Connective tissue, epithelial tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue.

What defines the organ level?

It contains two or more types of tissues.

How many organ systems are there in the human body?

Eleven (11).

What is the organismal level?

All organ systems combined to make the whole organism (the human being).

What are the eight Necessary Life Functions?

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

What maintains boundaries in the body?

Plasma membranes separate cells; the skin separates the organism from the environment.

What does movement refer to in physiological life functions?

Movement of body parts via skeletal muscles; movement of substances via cardiac and smooth muscles; cellular contractility.

What is responsiveness?

The ability to sense and respond to stimuli.

What is digestion?

Breakdown of ingested foodstuffs, followed by absorption of simple molecules into the blood.

What is metabolism?

All chemical reactions in body cells; the sum of catabolism and anabolism; energy currency ATP.

What is excretion?

Removal of wastes from metabolism and digestion (urea, carbon dioxide, feces).

What is reproduction?

Cell division for growth or repair (cellular); production of offspring (organismal).

What is growth?

Increase in size of a body part or the organism.

What are the survival needs listed?

Nutrients, water, and oxygen.

What nutrients are needed for energy and cell building?

Carbohydrates for energy; proteins for cell building and chemistry (structural); fats for long-term energy storage; minerals and vitamins for chemical reactions and structural purposes.

What is water's role in survival?

Most abundant chemical in the body; provides the watery environment for chemical reactions; base for secretions and excretions.

Why is oxygen essential?

Essential for release of energy from foods; the body can survive only a few minutes without it.

What is homeostasis?

Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous changes in the external environment.

What is a dynamic state of equilibrium?

Homeostasis; always readjusting as needed.

What maintains homeostasis in the body?

Contributions from all organ systems; two main communicators: nervous system (electrical impulses) and endocrine system (hormones).

What are the three components of the homeostatic control system?

Receptor (sensor); control center; effector.