Unit 1 Study Guide: Comprehensive Overview of Human Anatomy and Physiology

A set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from Unit 1 study notes on physiology, anatomy, cellular structure, tissues, organ systems, homeostasis, metabolism, genetics, and disease.

What does physiology study regarding the body's structures and their function?

It explores the chemistry and physics of structures and how they function together to support life.

What is anatomy?

The scientific study of the body's structures, from large organs to microscopic cells.

List the five levels of structural organization in the human body from chemical to organ system.

Chemical level, cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level.

What happens at the chemical level in body organization?

Atoms combine to form molecules essential for life.

What is the cellular level of organization?

Cells are the smallest independently functioning units.

What is the tissue level of organization?

Tissues are formed by cells and carry out specific functions.

What is the organ level of organization?

Organs are composed of multiple tissue types.

What is the organ system level of organization?

Organ systems consist of groups of organs working together to meet physiological needs.

What is the function of the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails)?

Protection and regulation of body temperature.

What is the function of the skeletal system?

Provides structural support and enables movement.

What is the function of the muscular system?

Facilitates movement and maintains posture.

What is the function of the nervous system?

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves control and communicate body functions.

What is the function of the endocrine system?

Glands regulate hormones to maintain body function and homeostasis.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism includes anabolic and catabolic reactions for energy production and molecular synthesis.

What does responsiveness mean in life processes?

Detecting and reacting to internal and external changes.

What does movement refer to in life functions?

From cellular motions to whole-body locomotion.

What does growth mean in life processes?

Increase in size via cell multiplication and enlargement.

What does reproduction mean in life processes?

Formation of new organisms.

What is homeostasis?

The dynamic maintenance of stable internal conditions within a narrow, healthful range.

What is negative feedback?

A mechanism that reverses deviations from a set point, helping restore equilibrium.

What is positive feedback?

A mechanism that amplifies changes temporarily to reach a specific outcome.

Why are feedback systems important in physiology?

They maintain physiological stability essential for survival.

Describe the standard anatomical position.

Standing upright with feet shoulder-width apart, arms at sides, palms forward.

Name some directional terms used to describe body orientation.

Anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, and medial/lateral.

What are the three main body planes?

Sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse.

What are the dorsal and ventral body cavities?

Dorsal (cranial and spinal) and ventral (thoracic and abdominopelvic) cavities.

What are regions and quadrants used for?

To facilitate precise anatomical description.

Which imaging technique visualizes bones and dense tissues using high-energy radiation?

X-rays.

Which imaging technique provides detailed cross-sectional images via rotating X-ray beams?

Computed Tomography (CT).

Which imaging technique uses magnets and radio waves for soft tissue contrast without radiation?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Which imaging technique uses radiopharmaceuticals to reveal physiological activity?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

Which imaging technique uses sound waves to produce real-time images?

Ultrasonography.

What are atoms composed of?

Protons, neutrons, and electrons.

What is the nucleus composed of?

Protons and neutrons.

What are electrons arranged in?

Electron shells around the nucleus.

What uniquely identifies an element?

The atomic number (number of protons).

What is the mass number?

The sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

What are isotopes?

Variants of elements with identical protons but different neutrons.

Are all isotopes stable?

No; some are stable while others are radioactive.

What is a key medical use of radioisotopes?

Imaging and cancer treatment.

What determines chemical reactivity in atoms?

The valence electrons in the outermost shell.

What rule drives bonding and stability in molecules?

The octet rule.

What is an ionic bond?

A bond formed by the attraction between oppositely charged ions.

What is a covalent bond?

A bond formed by sharing electron pairs, which can be polar or nonpolar.

What are hydrogen bonds?

Weak attractions between polar molecules essential for biomolecule structure.

What is a catabolic reaction?

Decomposition reactions that release energy.

What is an anabolic reaction?

Synthesis reactions that consume energy.

What are reversible or exchange reactions?

Reactions that can proceed in both directions, enabling dynamic metabolism.

What are enzymes?

Protein or RNA catalysts that speed up reactions by lowering activation energy.

What does enzyme specificity mean?

Enzymes bind specific substrates at active sites.

Do enzymes get consumed in reactions?

No; they are not consumed and work efficiently at body temperature.

What percentage of body weight is water?

About 70%.

What role do salts play in physiology?

They dissociate into ions to carry electrical currents in nerves and muscles.

What do acids do?

Release hydrogen ions, increasing acidity.

What do bases do?

Accept hydrogen ions, reducing acidity.

What are the four major organic macromolecules?

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides.

What is ATP composed of?

Ribose sugar, adenine base, and three phosphate groups.

What happens when ATP is hydrolyzed?

Energy is released to power cellular processes.

How is ATP regenerated?

By phosphorylation.

What is the role of ATP in cellular processes?

Powering various cellular activities.

How do chemical principles apply to medicine?

They guide medical diagnostics and treatments, including imaging and therapy.

What are the two main uses of radioisotopes in healthcare?

Imaging and cancer therapy.

Why is pH and electrolyte balance important?

They are critical for maintaining cellular function.

What do enzymes regulate in metabolism?

Biochemical pathways and energy flow.

What is the basic unit of life?

The cell.

What is the cell membrane’s main role?

A protective barrier that regulates material exchange and maintains the internal environment.

What makes up the cytoplasm?

Cytosol and organelles.

What are the major organelles involved in protein processing and trafficking?

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus.

What do lysosomes and peroxisomes do?

Lysosomes digest debris; peroxisomes detoxify reactive oxygen species.

What is the cytoskeleton responsible for?

Structural support, movement, and organization of organelles.

What are the three main components of a neuron?

Soma (cell body), dendrites, and an axon.

What cells form myelin in the CNS and PNS?

Oligodendrocytes (CNS) and Schwann cells (PNS).

What are neuroglia?

Support neurons by regulating the environment, providing myelin, and protecting against infection.

What are the classic signs of inflammation?

Redness, swelling, pain, heat, and sometimes loss of function.

What initiates tissue repair after injury?

Clotting forms a fibrin network and a scab; healing can proceed via primary or secondary union.

What are cellular changes associated with aging?

Telomere shortening, reduced cell division, and altered membrane transport.

What are common aging-related tissue changes?

Thinner, drier, less elastic tissues; wrinkles; joint stiffness; loss of muscle tone.

How does aging affect healing and immunity?

Healing slows and the immune response weakens.

What happens to bone and cartilage with aging?

Bone density decreases; cartilage loses fluid, contributing to height loss and joint problems; lifestyle factors influence aging.

What are the basic cancer concepts?

Cancer arises from mutations or epigenetic changes leading to uncontrolled cell growth; tumors can be benign or malignant.

How are cancers named by tissue origin?

Carcinomas (epithelial), sarcomas (connective), leukemias (white blood cells).

What are common cancer treatments?

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted pharmaceuticals.

What is a major challenge in cancer therapy?

Specificity and side effects of treatments.