Unit 1: Anatomy and Physiology Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of questions covering basic anatomy, body organization, integumentary system, bone and cartilage, tissues, and joints.

What is anatomy?

The study of body structure.

What is physiology?

The study of body function.

What does Functional Morphology study?

The relationship between structure and function.

Name a microscopic branch of anatomy.

Microscopic anatomy (histology).

What is gross anatomy?

The study of large-scale body structures.

What is surface anatomy?

Anatomy visible to the naked eye.

What does developmental anatomy study?

Aging process (developmental aspects; includes embryology).

What is pathological anatomy?

Anatomy related to disease.

What is radiographic anatomy?

Anatomy as seen through radiographic imaging.

List the levels of biological organization from smallest to largest.

Atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism.

What is the smallest living unit of biological organization?

The cell.

Name some characteristics of life listed in the notes.

Organization, Metabolism, Growth and Development, Reproductive ability.

What does the term Functional Morphology describe?

The study of how structure relates to function.

What are the 11 organ systems indicated by RUNMRSLIDEC?

Respiratory, Urinary, Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Reproductive, Skeletal, Lymphatic, Integumentary, Digestive, Endocrine, Cardiovascular.

What is the function of the respiratory system?

Gas exchange.

What is the function of the urinary system?

Regulation of pH in the body.

What is the function of the nervous system?

Instant communication throughout the body.

What is the function of the musculoskeletal system?

Movement.

What is the function of the reproductive system?

Production of gametes.

What is the function of the skeletal system?

Provide structure and support for the body.

What is the function of the lymphatic system?

Immunity and fluid drainage.

What is the function of the integumentary system?

Protection, thermoregulation, sensation, and water retention.

What is the function of the digestive system?

Break down food to allow absorption of nutrients.

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Communication via hormones.

What is the function of the cardiovascular system?

Transportation of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes.

What is anatomical position?

A reference position: standing upright, feet together, arms at sides with palms forward.

What are the three anatomical planes?

Coronal, Transverse, and Sagittal planes.

What does Anterior mean?

Toward the front of the body.

What does Posterior mean?

Toward the back of the body.

What is the posterior body cavity responsible for protecting?

The brain and spinal cord.

What is the anterior cavity subdivision to know?

Thoracic cavity (superior to the abdomen) and Abdominopelvic cavity (inferior to the thoracic cavity).

What are the cranial and vertebral cavities?

Cavities that hold the brain and the vertebral column, respectively.

What separates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities?

The diaphragm.

What is superficial vs deep?

Superficial is closer to the skin; deep is closer to the bones.

What is proximal vs distal?

Proximal is closer to the point of attachment; distal is farther away from it.

What is medial vs lateral?

Medial is closer to the midline; lateral is farther from the midline.

What is superior vs inferior?

Superior is closer to the head; inferior is farther from the head.

What is the cranial cavity?

Holds the brain.

What is the vertebral (spinal) cavity?

Holds the vertebral column.

What are serosae?

Water-balloon membranes that line organs (visceral) or body cavities (parietal).

Name examples of serosae.

Pericardium (around the heart), Pleurae (around the lungs), Peritoneum (around the abdominal cavity).

What is the composition and function of the plasma membrane?

A phospholipid bilayer with hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads, forming a fluid mosaic that provides selective permeability.

What are the two main kinds of membrane proteins roles?

Embedded or peripheral proteins; roles include transport, cell recognition, signaling, enzymatic activity.

What is diffusion?

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

What is osmosis?

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane to balance concentrations.

What is the cytoskeleton and its components?

A network of microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules that enables cell movement and structure.

What is the mitochondrion’s main function?

Convert glucose to ATP (cellular energy).

What is the ribosome’s function?

Protein synthesis by translating mRNA.

What is the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) specialized for?

Protein synthesis with ribosomes on its surface.

What is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) specialized for?

Lipid synthesis and detoxification (no ribosomes).

What is the Golgi apparatus’ function?

Packaging and modification of proteins for secretion or delivery.

What do lysosomes do?

Digest cellular waste and debris.

What is the nucleus’ role?

Houses DNA and directs cellular activities.

What is the centrosome and centrioles’ role?

Organize the mitotic spindle during cell division.

What is the function of peroxisomes?

Neutralize free radicals by converting hydrogen peroxide to water.

What is mRNA’s route out of the nucleus?

Exits through nuclear pores.

What are the three main bone cell types and their roles?

Osteoblasts (build bone), Osteocytes (maintain bone density), Osteoclasts (resorb bone).

What are the two main ossification processes?

Intramembranous Ossification and Endochondral Ossification.

What is intramembranous ossification?

Bone forms directly from mesenchymal tissue (e.g., skull, clavicles) without a cartilage model.

What are the steps of intramembranous ossification?

Ossification centers form, osteoid calcifies, woven bone and periosteum form, lamellar bone replaces weave bone to form compact/spongy bone.

What is endochondral ossification?

Bone forms from a hyaline cartilage model; most bones develop this way.

What is the epiphyseal plate?

Growth plate where longitudinal bone growth occurs during childhood.

What are the major parts of a long bone?

Epiphysis, Diaphysis, Metaphysis, Articular cartilage, Medullary cavity, Endosteum, Periosteum, Growth plate, Yellow marrow.

What is the function of the periosteum?

Tough outer layer that covers the bone; contains nerves and vessels; osteogenic layer.

What are osteons and their parts?

Structural unit of compact bone: central (Haversian) canal, surrounding lamellae, lacunae with osteocytes, and canaliculi.

What is the difference between compact and spongy bone?

Compact bone is dense with osteons; spongy bone is porous with trabeculae and houses marrow.

What are the two main growth processes for cartilage?

Appositional growth (from the outside perichondrium) and Interstitial growth (inside cartilage via chondrocyte division).

What is cartilage perichondrium?

A layer of dense irregular connective tissue surrounding cartilage.

What is cartilage avascular and aneural?

Cartilage has no blood vessels or nerves.

Name the three main types of cartilage and a distinguishing feature.

Hyaline (glass-like; most common), Elastic (high elastic fibers), Fibrocartilage (dense; strong for tension).

Where is hyaline cartilage typically located?

Epiphyseal plates, fetal skeleton, trachea, larynx.

Where is elastic cartilage typically located?

External ear and epiglottis.

Where is fibrocartilage typically located?

Intervertebral discs and menisci.

What are the three categories of connective tissue?

Loose connective tissue proper, Dense connective tissue proper, Supporting connective tissue (cartilage and bone), and Fluid connective tissue (blood and lymph).

What are the subtypes of loose connective tissue proper?

Areolar, Adipose, Reticular.

What are the subtypes of dense connective tissue proper?

Dense Regular, Dense Irregular, Elastic.

What are the subtypes of supporting connective tissue?

Hyaline cartilage, Elastic cartilage, Fibrocartilage, Bone.

What is connective tissue proper mainly composed of?

ECM with ground substance and fibers; cells like fibroblasts.

What are the main functions of connective tissue?

Connecting/binding, transport/immunity, support/structure.

What is the skin’s epidermis composed of?

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

What are the main cell types in the epidermis?

Keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, Melanocytes, Merkel cells.

What are the two main layers of the skin?

Epidermis and Dermis (plus the Hypodermis underneath).

What are the two layers of the dermis and their characteristics?

Papillary layer (20%) with loose areolar CT and dermal papillae; Reticular layer (80%) with dense irregular CT rich in collagen and elastic fibers.

What is the hypodermis and its function?

Subcutaneous layer of adipose tissue that anchors skin and provides insulation.

What are the appendages of the skin?

Hair, nails, and glands (sweat glands and sebaceous glands).

What are sweat glands and their functions?

Sweat glands (eccrine/merocrine) release watery secretion for evaporative cooling; apocrine glands secrete proteins/fats and respond to hormones.

What is the difference between eccrine and apocrine glands?

Eccrine (merocrine) secrete watery sweat; Apocrine secrete protein/fat-rich secretions and are hormone-related.

Where are sebaceous glands located and what do they secrete?

Associated with hair follicles; secrete sebum (oil).

What is special about mammary glands?

A type of apocrine gland that secretes milk.

What types of cartilage surround bones?

Cartilage is covered by perichondrium (dense irregular connective tissue).

What are the three main types of cartilage and their locations?

Hyaline (joints, nose, trachea); Elastic (external ear, epiglottis); Fibrocartilage (intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, menisci).

What is the perichondrium?

A dense irregular connective tissue layer surrounding cartilage.

What is the function of joints?

Joints (articulations) connect bones and permit varying degrees of movement.

What are the functional classifications of joints?

Synarthrosis (no movement), Amphiarthrosis (slightly movable), Diarthrosis (freely movable).

What are the structural classifications of joints?

Fibrous, Cartilaginous, Synovial.

What is a gomphosis?

A fibrous joint that connects teeth to the jaw.

What are synchondroses?

Cartilaginous joints united by hyaline cartilage; typically immovable (synarthroses).

What are symphyses?

Cartilaginous joints united by fibrocartilage; usually slightly movable (amphiarthroses).

What is a synovial joint?

A fluid-filled joint cavity; diarthrotic and highly movable.

What are the two layers of the synovial joint capsule?

Fibrous outer layer and synovial inner membrane.