TOPIC 1 NUR131 Anatomy and Physiology

What is Anatomy?

The study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another.

What is Physiology?

The study of the function of body parts; how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

What are the two main types of anatomy?

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy and microscopic anatomy.

What is the organismal level of organization?

The human organism is made up of many organ systems.

What are the requirements for life?

Maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.

List the 11 organ systems of the body.

Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive.

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous changes in the environment.

What are the major body cavities?

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

What types of connective tissue exist?

Connective tissue proper, cartilage, bone, and blood.

What characterizes epithelial tissue?

Polarity, contact, avascular but innervated, and regeneration.

Define the structure and function of muscle tissue.

Muscle tissue is vascularized and contains myofilaments for movement; its main types are striated (skeletal), cardiac, and smooth.

What are the types of muscle tissue and their primary function?

Skeletal muscle (voluntary movement), cardiac muscle (contracts to propel blood), and smooth muscle (propels substances along internal passageways).

What does the plasma membrane do?

Acts as a barrier separating intracellular fluid from extracellular fluid, controls entry and exit of substances, enables communication and cell recognition.

How are exocrine and endocrine glands different?

Exocrine glands secrete onto body surfaces via ducts; endocrine glands are ductless and release hormones into blood or lymph vessels.

What is the primary function of nervous tissue?

To respond to stimuli and transmit electrical impulses.

Describe the structure of a neuron.

Neurons are branching cells with long processes extending from the cell body that transmit electrical signals.

What is the extracellular matrix in connective tissue?

A complex structure comprising ground substance, fibers, and cells.