Bio 103: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of Anatomy and Physiology, including levels of organization, organ systems, anatomical terminology, body cavities, and homeostatic mechanisms.

Anatomy

The study of structure, derived from the Greek for "a cutting up".

Physiology

The study of function, derived from the Greek for "relationship to nature".

Cellular composition

A characteristic of living organisms where cells are the basic units of life and the smallest unit that can carry out life functions.

Metabolism

The collection of chemical reactions carried out by living organisms.

Anabolism

The "building" processes of metabolism.

Catabolism

The "breaking down" processes of metabolism.

Excretion

The process an organism uses to eliminate potentially harmful waste products created by metabolic processes.

Responsiveness (Irritability)

The ability of organisms to sense and react to changes or stimuli in their environment.

Chemical level

The smallest level of structural organization, ranging from atoms to complex molecules like DNA.

Cellular level

Level of organization formed by groups of molecules combined to form organelles and cells.

Tissue level

A level of organization where two or more cell types and their surrounding extracellular matrix cooperate to perform a common function.

Organ level

A structure consisting of two or more tissue types combined to perform a specific function, such as the skin or heart.

Organ system level

Level where two or more organs work together to carry out a broad function; the human body has $11$ such systems.

Integumentary System

System that protects the body, produces vitamin D, retains water, and regulates body temperature.

Skeletal System

System that supports the body, protects internal organs, provides leverage, produces blood cells, and stores calcium salts.

Muscular System

System that produces movement, controls body openings, and generates heat.

Nervous System

System that regulates body functions and provides for sensation, movement, and higher mental functions via nerve impulses.

Endocrine System

System that regulates body functions of muscles, glands, and tissues through the secretion of chemicals called hormones.

Cardiovascular System

System that pumps and delivers oxygen-poor blood to lungs and oxygen-rich blood to tissues, removes wastes, and transports nutrients.

Lymphatic System

System that returns excess tissue fluid to the cardiovascular system and provides immunity.

Respiratory System

System that delivers oxygen to the blood, removes carbon dioxide, and maintains acid-base balance.

Digestive System

System that digests food, absorbs nutrients, removes food waste, and regulates fluid and electrolyte balance.

Urinary System

System that removes metabolic wastes from the blood, regulates fluid/acid-base balance, and stimulates blood cell production.

Anatomical Position

Standard frame of reference where the body is standing upright, feet shoulder-width apart, with head and palms facing forward.

Anterior (Ventral)

Directional term meaning toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Directional term meaning toward the back of the body.

Superior (Cranial)

Directional term meaning toward the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Directional term meaning toward the tail.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the point of origin (generally the trunk).

Distal

Directional term meaning farther away from the point of origin (generally the trunk).

Medial

Directional term meaning closer to the midline of the body or a body part.

Lateral

Directional term meaning farther away from the midline of the body or a body part.

Superficial

Directional term meaning closer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Directional term meaning farther below the surface of the body.

Axial region

Body region that includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular region

Body region that includes the upper and lower limbs or appendages.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into right and left sections.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

A sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left sections.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

A plane that divides the body into superior and inferior or proximal and distal sections.

Cranial cavity

A subdivision of the posterior (dorsal) body cavity that houses the brain.

Thoracic cavity

A division of the anterior body cavity located above the diaphragm, containing the pleural, mediastinum, and pericardial cavities.

Abdominopelvic cavity

A division of the anterior body cavity located below the diaphragm, subdivided into abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Visceral layer

The layer of a serous membrane that is in direct contact with the organ.

Parietal layer

The outermost layer of a serous membrane that is attached to surrounding structures or the cavity wall.

Retroperitoneal organs

Organs such as the kidneys, duodenum, and pancreas that are not covered by the peritoneum.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of the body's internal environment.

Negative feedback loop

A core principle where a change in a regulated variable results in actions that move the variable in the opposite direction to reduce output.

Positive feedback loop

A mechanism where the effector activity increases and reinforces the initial stimulus, such as in blood clotting or childbirth.

Set point

The established normal value for a regulated variable within a negative feedback loop.

Principle of complementarity of structure and function

Core principle stating that the form of a structure is always such that it best suits its function.

Gradient

A condition present any time more of something exists in one area than in another and the two areas are connected.