CH. 1: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy

The structure of body parts. (also known as morphology)

Antome

Cut up or dissect.

Physiology

The study of the function of the body parts. (means relationship with nature)

The Levels of Organization (Organism)

Atom, molecules, organelles, cell, tissues, organ, organ system, organism

The Levels of Organization (Cellular)

Oxygen, molecule, mitochondria, all membrane, tissue, skin

Differentiation

The process by which a cell becomes specialized to perform a specific function. (cells differentiate by activating and deactivating genes)

Metabolism

All the chemical changes that occur in the body to maintain life.

Homeostasis

Tendency of the body to maintain a stable, balanced, internal environment.

Negative Feedback Loop

Sensors (receptors) detect conditions within the body such as temperature. Information is then relayed to the brain.

Set Point

The normal range that an environmental parameter is to be controlled.

Effectors

Muscles or glands that respond to deviation from the set point. Glands might initiate sweating to cool the body back to its set point.

Positive Feedback Loop

Amplify or increase the occurrence of events.