Animal Anatomy & Physiology Review (ANIM SCI 101)

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on animal definition, life, anatomy and physiology, cells and organelles, tissues, organ systems, and basic anatomical terms.

What is an animal?

A living organism that feeds on organic matter to sustain physiological and cellular functions, with specialized cells.

How do animal cells differ from plant cells?

Animal cells lack cellulose cell walls, lack chloroplasts, and do not perform photosynthesis.

What is life?

Organisms that perform physiological functions, with dynamic processes and the use of energy and raw materials from the surroundings to maintain integrity and equilibrium with the environment.

What are Anatomy and Physiology?

Anatomy is the study of the structure of organs, systems, and body parts (macroscopic and microscopic); Physiology is the study of normal body functions.

What is Homeostasis?

The ability of an animal or physiological system to maintain relatively constant and consistent functions and parameters.

What is metabolism and its two main types?

Metabolism includes physiological processes at the cellular and tissue level; catabolism is the breakdown of compounds to release energy, and anabolism is the synthesis of larger, more complex substances.

What is the smallest unit of organization in animals?

The cell.

What are the four basic tissue types?

Muscle, Nerve, Epithelial, and Connective tissues.

What are the two main categories of muscle tissue?

Striated (skeletal, voluntary) and smooth muscle.

What does epithelial tissue do?

Provides a covering layer (skin and linings of organs) and includes mucous and serous membranes.

What does nerve tissue do?

Carries messages to and from various parts of the body via neurons.

What is connective tissue's role?

Supports other tissues and binds them together (bone, blood, lymph).

What is the function of the mitochondria?

Powerhouses of the cell; produce ATP; more energy needed leads to more mitochondria.

What is the function of the nucleus?

Control center of the cell; stores DNA and coordinates replication; components include nuclear membrane, pores, nucleolus, and chromatin.

What is the role of the endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough ER (with ribosomes) synthesizes proteins; Smooth ER synthesizes lipids and other enzymes.

What does the Golgi apparatus do?

Packages materials from the ER and transforms them into units distributed outside the cell or to lysosomes.

What are lysosomes?

Vesicular organelles containing digestive enzymes for intracellular digestion of damaged structures, ingested particles, and bacteria.

What is the cell membrane?

A semipermeable lipid bilayer that protects the cell and regulates transport of materials; contains receptors and channels.

What is cytoplasm/cytosol?

The intracellular fluid containing organelles, filaments, ions, proteins, and macromolecules; provides cell structure and supports division.

What is the nervous system’s main function?

A communication network that interprets, integrates, and responds to external and internal information (memory and problem solving).

What is the cardiovascular system’s main function?

Transportation of blood and other substances (nutrients, gases) throughout the body.

What are the digestive system’s key functions?

Ingestion, mastication, transportation, digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.

What are the components and functions of the urinary system?

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra; removes wastes from blood, regulates plasma composition, solute balance, water balance, and acid-base. Hormonal roles as well.

Name the female reproductive organs listed.

Vagina, Cervix, Uterine horns, Ovaries.

Name the male reproductive organs listed.

Testicle, Epididymis, Ductus/Vas deferens, Sex glands, Penis.

What are the skeletal system’s primary functions?

Support, protection, locomotion; mineral metabolism; production of immune cells and red blood cells.

What are the major anatomical planes?

Transverse plane, Frontal (coronal) plane, Median (sagittal) plane.

What do Rostral and Caudal mean?

Rostral means toward the head (toward the nose); Caudal means toward the tail.

What do Dorsal and Ventral mean?

Dorsal toward the back; Ventral toward the belly.

What do Proximal and Distal mean?

Proximal = closer to the point of reference or trunk; Distal = farther from it.

What do Palmar and Plantar refer to?

Palmar relates to the palm (front limb), Plantar relates to the sole (hind limb).

What is pluripotent?

A cell capable of giving rise to all cell types of the body; embryonic stem cells are pluripotent.

What is differentiation?

The process by which cells become highly specialized in function and shape.

Which stomach compartments are present in ruminants?

Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, Abomasum.

What analogy is used about animals and language?

Animals are like books, each with their own language.