Chapter One - Homeostasis and Organization of the Human Body

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from Chapter One notes, including homeostasis, feedback loops, extracellular fluids, structural levels, and body cavities.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment and keep body systems the same despite external changes.

Negative Feedback

A homeostatic mechanism that acts by trying to reverse changes in order to return conditions to normal.

Positive Feedback

A homeostatic mechanism in which a change from normal is intensified or amplified; it is short-lived and much less common than negative feedback.

Receptors

Structures that detect changes in the environment or a stimulus.

Control Center

The component of a homeostatic mechanism that contains the set point.

Effectors

Muscles or glands that respond to feedback signals to correct changes and make conditions normal again.

Internal Environment

The environment inside the body outside of cells, composed of extracellular fluid (water and dissolved substances).

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood.

Interstitial Fluid

Extracellular fluid found in between cells anywhere outside of blood vessels.

Interstitial

Occurring in or being an interval or intervening space or segment of, relating to, or forming an interstice.

Axial Portion

The structural division of the body that includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular Portion

The structural division of the body consisting of limbs, including joints.

Cranial Cavity

An axial body cavity that contains the brain.

Vertebral Canal

An axial body cavity that contains the spinal cord.

Thoracic Cavity

An axial body cavity that contains the lungs and heart.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

An axial body cavity containing many internal organs.

Blood Clotting

A specific example of a short-lived positive feedback process in the body.

Uterine Contractions

An example of a positive feedback mechanism where a change from normal is intensified.