Major Themes of Anatomy & Physiology – Quick Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on anatomy, physiology, characteristics of life, homeostasis, feedback mechanisms, renal physiology, and hearing.

Anatomy

The study of body structure and form.

Physiology

The study of body function.

Form Equals Function

The principle that the structure of a body part determines its function.

Organization (Characteristic of Life)

Living things exhibit a higher, ordered level of structure than non-living matter.

Cellular Composition

All living matter is compartmentalized into one or more cells, the basic structural and functional units of life.

Metabolism

The sum of all internal chemical changes, consisting of anabolism (synthesis) and catabolism (digestion).

Responsiveness (Irritability/Excitability)

The ability of an organism to sense and react to stimuli.

Generative Properties

Capabilities for reproduction, development, growth, and repair.

Homeostasis

The ability to detect change, activate opposing mechanisms, and maintain relatively stable internal conditions.

Dynamic Equilibrium

Fluctuation of a variable around a set point within a limited range, maintained by negative feedback.

Negative Feedback

A control process in which the body senses a change and reverses it to restore stability.

Receptor (Sensor)

A structure that detects a change in a variable (e.g., stretch receptors that monitor blood pressure).

Integrating (Control) Center

Processes sensory input, makes a decision, and directs a response (e.g., cardiac center of the brain).

Effector

A cell or organ that carries out the corrective action to restore homeostasis (e.g., the heart).

Vasodilation

Dilation of skin blood vessels that increases heat loss when body temperature is too high.

Vasoconstriction

Constriction of skin blood vessels that conserves heat when body temperature is too low.

Shivering

Involuntary muscle activity that generates heat as a heat-gaining mechanism during cold stress.

Sweating

Evaporative cooling response activated when body temperature rises above the set point.

Positive Feedback

A self-amplifying cycle in which a change leads to greater change in the same direction.

Oxytocin

Pituitary hormone that stimulates uterine contractions in the childbirth positive-feedback loop.

Disease (Homeostatic Failure)

A condition that arises when homeostatic mechanisms fail and internal balance is lost.

Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

Nephron segment where ~67% water, 85% glucose, and 25% NaCl are reabsorbed; site of action for osmotic diuretics.

Distal Convoluted Tubule (DCT)

Nephron segment targeted by thiazide diuretics; influenced by parathyroid hormone for Ca²⁺ reabsorption.

Loop of Henle

Nephron segment that concentrates urine; loop diuretics block NaCl reabsorption here.

Collecting Duct

Final nephron portion influenced by ADH and aldosterone; site of action for osmotic and K-sparing diuretics.

Loop Diuretics

Drugs that act on the ascending limb of the Loop of Henle to inhibit NaCl reabsorption.

Thiazide Diuretics

Diuretics that inhibit NaCl transport in the distal convoluted tubule.

K-Sparing Diuretics

Diuretics acting on distal nephron/collecting duct that promote Na⁺ excretion while conserving K⁺.

Conductive Mechanism (Middle Ear)

Portion of the auditory pathway that converts sound waves into mechanical vibrations for inner-ear processing.

Auditory Centers (Brain)

Regions of the brain that receive and interpret nerve impulses from the inner ear, completing the hearing pathway.