Introduction to Physiology and Neurophysiology

Flashcards covering key concepts from lectures on physiology and neurophysiology.

What is Physiology?

The study of the normal functioning of a living organism and its component parts.

What are the key concepts in physiology?

1. Structure & Function, 2. Biological Energy, 3. Information Flow, 4. Homeostasis.

What is Homeostasis?

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment.

What are the levels of organization in living organisms?

Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, Organism.

What is the difference between function and mechanism in physiology?

Function is the 'why' of a system, while mechanism is the 'how'.

What are the four primary tissue types in the human body?

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Neural.

What is the role of epithelial tissue?

Epithelia protect the internal environment and regulate exchanges between external and internal environments.

What are the types of cell junctions?

Anchoring junctions, Gap junctions, Tight junctions.

What is the function of connective tissue?

To provide structural support and barriers.

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

Skeletal, Smooth, Cardiac.

What is the central organizing principle of physiology?

Homeostasis.

What is acclimatization?

Environmentally induced change in physiological function without genetic change.

What are the four basic mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication?

1. Gap Junctions, 2. Contact-dependent signals, 3. Local communication, 4. Long-distance communication.

What is a graded potential?

A change in membrane potential that can be depolarizing or hyperpolarizing, occurring typically in the dendrites or cell body.

What defines an action potential?

A rapid, uniform electrical signal generated when a neuron reaches the threshold potential.

What is the refractory period?

The period after an action potential during which a new action potential cannot be initiated.

What is saltatory conduction?

The process by which action potentials jump from one node of Ranvier to the next, increasing conduction speed.

What determines the speed of conduction in a neuron?

Diameter of the axon and resistance of the axon membrane to ion leakage.