Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts and terminology from the lecture notes on human anatomy and physiology.

Anatomy

The study of the structure or form of the human body.

Physiology

The study of the body's functions and how they work.

Homeostasis

The condition in which the body maintains a relatively stable internal environment.

Negative Feedback Loop

A feedback mechanism that opposes an initial change and reduces the output to maintain stability.

Positive Feedback Loop

A feedback mechanism that reinforces or amplifies the initial change in a variable.

Cellular Composition

The smallest units (cells) that carry out the functions of life.

Metabolism

Chemical processes occurring within a living organism to maintain life, including anabolism and catabolism.

Structural Levels of Organization

A hierarchy that describes how complex organisms are built from levels including chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism.

Directional Terms

Terms that describe the location of one body part in relation to another.

Serous Membranes

Thin sheets of tissue that form double-layered structures, filled with serous fluid, surrounding organs.

Cranial Cavity

The space within the skull that houses the brain.

Spinal Cavity

The cavity within the vertebral column that contains the spinal cord.

Feedback Loops

Cyclic processes in which changes in a regulated variable generate responses that affect the same variable.

Mneumonics

Mental cues for memorizing material.

S Q 3 R Method

A reading comprehension technique that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review.

Gradients

Differences in concentration or amount that drive many physiological processes.

Cell-Cell Communication

The process by which cells interact and coordinate functions through signaling.

Excretion

The elimination of waste products generated by metabolism.

Responsiveness or Irritability

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

Movement

The ability of organisms or individual cells to change position.

Reproduction

The process of producing new cells for growth, repair, or the production of new organisms.