Chapters 1-2: Scientific Foundations and Lab Practices, Introduction to the Structural Units

, Chemistry of Living Things, Cells, Tissues and Membranes

Science

The systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation, aiming to understand phenomena and develop explanations based on evidence.

Scientific Revolution

A period of significant advancement in scientific thought during the 16th and 17th centuries that transformed views of society and nature.

Francis Bacon

Created the scientific method in which schientists conduct experiments by testing hypotheses.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Developed the Copernican heliocentrism, an astronomical model that depicted the sun as the center of the universe and the planets orbiting the sun.

Leonardo da Vinci

Made discoveries in anatomy and engineering with foresight to modern engineering designs.

Galileo Galilei

Built telescopes to view the sky and was the first to explore the idea of inertia.

William Harvey

First to describe the circulatory system and how blood is pumped through the body by the heart.

Isaac Newton

Notable mathematics, physics, and astronomy discoveries; built the first reflecting telescope and devised the laws of motion and gravity.

Andreas Vesalius

Author and professor who was the first to describe human anatomy by dissection.

Age of Enlightenment

An intellectual and cultural movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasizing reason, science, and individualism over tradition, influencing political and philosophical thought.

The four types of investigations are:

descriptive, comparative, experimental, and observational.

Data that are observed or recorded are called _____.

Empirical evidence

Internet domains that end in .org indicate a _______ website.

non-profit

Descriptive investigation

Observational investigations are used to _____.

compare two or more groups.

before beginning an investigation.

Biology

The scientific study of life and living organisms, encompassing various fields such as ecology, genetics, and physiology.

Anatomy

The branch of biology that deals with the structure and organization of living organisms, including their systems, organs, and tissues. The word anatomy comes from the Greek ana, meaning “apart,” and temuein, “to cut’

Physiology

The branch of biology that studies the functions and processes of living organisms and their parts, focusing on how systems work together to maintain life.

Disease

Any condition that impairs normal bodily functions/structures that produces symptoms, often resulting from infection, genetic factors, or environmental influences.

Gross Anatomy

The study of the structures of the body that can be observed without the use of a microscope, focusing on large-scale anatomical features.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of biological structures at the cellular and tissue levels using a microscope, emphasizing details not visible to the naked eye.

Cytology

The branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells, focusing on cellular components and their interactions.

Histology

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues and their organization within organs, providing insight into their function and pathology.

Developmental Anatomy/Embryology

The branch of anatomy that studies the formation and development of an organism from fertilization to maturity, focusing on changes in structure throughout life stages.

Comparative Anatomy

The branch of anatomy that examines the similarities and differences in the anatomical structures of different species, providing insights into evolutionary relationships and adaptations.

Systematic Anatomy

The branch of anatomy that focuses on the systematic organization of the body's structures into organ systems, analyzing their relationships and functions.

Anatomical Position

The standard position of the body used as a reference point in anatomy, where the body is standing erect, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

Anterior/Ventral

Refers to the front or belly side of the body.

Posterior/Dorsal

Refers to the back or spine side of the body.

Supine

Refers to a body position lying face up, with the back on the ground.

Prone

Refers to a body position lying face down, with the front on the ground.

Cephalic

“Skull” or “Head End” of the body

Caudal

Refers to the "tail" or "lower" end of the body.

Superior

“Upper” or “Above Another”

Inferior

“Lower” or “Below Another”

Medial

Toward the midline or median plane of the body

Lateral

Toward the side of the body

Proximal

Toward the point of attachment to the body or closer to the trunk of the body.

Distal

Away from the point of attachment or farther from the trunk of the body.

Superficial/External

Toward the surface of the body or away from the core.

Deep/Internal

Away from the surface of the body or toward the core.

Planes

Imaginary lines that divide the body into sections.

Section

A cut made through the body in the direction of a certain plane.

Sagittal Plane

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

Midsagittal Plane

A specific type of sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Coronal (Frontal) Plane

A vertical cut that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse

A horizontal cut that divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Dorsal Cavity

The space within the body that houses the brain and spinal cord.

Cranial Cavity

The space within the skull that contains the brain.

Vertebral (Spinal) Cavity

The space within the vertebral column that surrounds and protects the spinal cord.

The _____ divides the ventral cavity into two parts: the upper thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

diaphragm

Thoracic Cavity

The chamber within the rib cage that contains the heart and lungs, protected by the rib cage and diaphragm.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity that lies between the lungs and extends from the sternum to the vertebrae.

Pericardial Cavity

The space within the thoracic cavity that surrounds and contains the heart.

Abdominopelvic cavity

One large cavity with no separation between the abdomen and pelvis.

Abdominal cavity

The upper part of the abdominopelvic cavity, containing organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Pelvic cavity

The lower part of the abdominopelvic cavity that contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

The abdominopelvic region is divided into ___ regions.

nine

Epigastric region

Located just below the sternum.

Hypochondriac Regions

The areas located on either side of the epigastric region, below the ribs.

Umbilical Area

Located around the navel/umbilicus.

Lumbar regions

Extend from anterior to posterior (back pain = lumbar pain).

Hypogastric/Pubic region

The region located below the umbilical area, often associated with the lower abdomen.

Iliac/Inguinal areas

Regions located on either side of the hypogastric region, often associated with the groin and lower abdomen.

Orbital Cavity

The bony socket that contains the eye and its associated structures.

Nasal Cavity

The cavity within the skull that houses the nasal passages and assists in the respiratory process.

Oral Cavity

The space within the mouth that is bounded by the lips, cheeks, tongue, and palate, involved in digestion and speech.

Quadrants

The four regions of the abdomen, each used to describe the location of organs and diagnose conditions.

Life functions

Essential processes necessary for maintaining life.

Cell

The basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms, capable of performing life functions.

Tissues

Groups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Organs

Structures composed of different types of tissues that work together to carry out specific functions in an organism.

Organ System

A group of organs that work together to perform complex functions essential for the survival of an organism.

Movement

The ability of an organism to change position or location through muscular or structural actions.

Ingestion

The process of taking in food and nutrients through the mouth, which is essential for providing energy and building materials for the body.

Assimilation

The process by which absorbed nutrients are incorporated into the cells and tissues of an organism, converting them into usable forms.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into smaller molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the body.

Transport

The process of moving absorbed nutrients throughout the body to cells and tissues where they are needed.

Respiration

The biochemical process by which organisms convert nutrients and oxygen into energy, releasing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts.

Immunity

The ability of an organism to resist infections and diseases through the action of its immune system, which includes various cells, tissues, and organs that recognize and attack pathogens.

Protection

The mechanisms that help defend an organism against harmful agents, including physical barriers like skin and innate and adaptive immune responses.

Growth

The enlargement of an organism due to synthesis and assimilation, resulting in an increase in the number and size of its cells.

Secretion

Formation and release of hormones from a cell or structure.

Excretion

The process by which an organism eliminates waste products and metabolic byproducts from its body, maintaining internal balance and homeostasis.

Regulation (Sensitivity)

The ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in its internal or external environment, ensuring stability and adaptation.

Reproduction

The biological process by which organisms produce new individuals, ensuring the continuation of their species. This may occur through sexual or asexual means.

Homeostasis

The process through which organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable (in equilibrium), constant conditions despite external changes.

Negative feedback loop

A biological mechanism that counteracts a change in a system, restoring it to its set point. It is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in organisms.

Positive feedback loop

A biological mechanism that amplifies a change in a system, driving it away from its set point and enhancing the effect of the initial stimulus.

Metric system

A decimal-based system of measurement used globally, defined by units such as meters, liters, and grams, facilitating scientific calculations and conversions.