Levels of Organization & Homeostasis - Vocabulary Flashcards

A vocabulary deck covering key terms and definitions from Levels of Organization and Homeostasis.

Chemical level

The level of organization with atoms and molecules forming the body's chemical building blocks (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids).

Cellular level

The level where cells are the basic units of life; the plasma membrane separates intracellular from extracellular spaces.

Tissue level

Level where tissues are groups of similar cells performing a common function (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).

Organ level

Level where organs are structures composed of two or more tissue types that perform specific functions (e.g., stomach).

Body system level

Level where organs group into organ systems to carry out broad physiological roles.

Organism level

The complete living individual.

Anatomy

The study of the structure and form of organisms.

Physiology

The study of the functions and mechanisms of body parts.

Anatomists

Scientists who study the structure of organisms.

Physiologists

Scientists who study how bodily functions occur and are regulated.

Atom

The basic unit of matter; atoms combine to form molecules.

Molecule

A chemical group of two or more atoms bonded together.

Lipids

Fats and fat-like substances that store energy and form cell membranes.

Carbohydrates

Sugars and starches used as energy sources and structural components.

Proteins

Large molecules with structural, enzymatic, and signaling roles.

Nucleic acids

DNA and RNA; molecules that store and transmit genetic information.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material that encodes information.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Monosaccharide

A simple sugar; the basic unit of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose).

Plasma membrane

The phospholipid bilayer that encloses the cell and separates compartments.

Cell

The smallest unit of life capable of carrying out basic life processes.

Tissue

A group of similarly specialized cells performing a common function.

Organ

A structure composed of multiple tissue types that carries out a specific function.

Stomach

An organ of the digestive system where food is mixed and digested.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that lines surfaces and forms protective barriers.

Connective tissue

Tissue that binds, supports, and protects other tissues and organs.

Smooth muscle tissue

Involuntary muscle tissue that contract to move contents through organs.

Nervous tissue

Tissue that transmits electrical impulses and coordinates body activities.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a dynamic, relatively stable internal environment.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells but within the body, including plasma and interstitial fluid.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid inside body cells.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood; part of the extracellular fluid.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid surrounding cells; part of the extracellular fluid.

Claude Bernard

19th-century physiologist who introduced the concept of uniformity in the internal environment

Cannon

Walter Cannon; coined homeostasis and described internal state being protected from change and stable

Set Point

The desired value for a regulated variable in a homeostatic system.

Sensor

Receptor that detects the magnitude of the regulated variable.

Integrator

Control center that processes sensory information and compares it to the set point.

Effector

Organ or tissue that elicits a response to adjust the regulated variable.

Negative Feedback

A corrective mechanism that opposes the original change and stabilizes the system.

Positive Feedback

A mechanism that amplifies changes and can move the system away from stability.

Dynamic steady state

A state where the internal environment is maintained dynamically, not rigidly fixed.

Nervous System

System that uses electrical signals for rapid responses and higher functions.

Digestive System

System that digests food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Respiratory System

System that supplies O2 and eliminates CO2, helping regulate pH.

Urinary System

System that regulates volume, electrolytes, pH, and eliminates wastes.

What are the four primary elements that make up the human body, and what percentage of total body mass do they account for?

The four primary elements are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, which together account for 96% of total body mass

What are the individual percentages of the four primary elements in the human body?

The individual percentages are:

• Oxygen: 65%

• Carbon: 18.5%

• Hydrogen: 9.5%

• Nitrogen: 3.3%

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid surrounding cells; part of the extracellular fluid.

What are the approximate percentages of biomolecules in the human body?

The approximate percentages are:

• Lipids: 15-25\%
• Carbohydrates: 3\%
• Proteins: 20\%
• DNA/RNA: Trace

How do villi and microvilli efficiently absorb nutrients?

The folds created by villi and microvilli significantly increase the surface area, allowing for more efficient breakdown and absorption of food and nutrients into the bloodstream.

what are the seven core functions that all cells perform to maintain life processes and interact with their environment?

• Reproduction

• Generating ATP

• Moving things internally

• Communication

• Obtaining nutrients

• Synthesizing proteins

• Responding to the environment

• Controlling exchange with the environment

Could you describe the chemical level of organization in the human body, outlining its primary components and their roles as fundamental building blocks?

The level of organization with atoms and molecules forming the body's chemical building blocks (lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids).

Explain the cellular level of organization, emphasizing the role of cells as basic units of life and the significance of the plasma membrane in maintaining cellular compartments.

The level where cells are the basic units of life; the plasma membrane separates intracellular from extracellular spaces.

Define the tissue level of organization, including how tissues are formed and listing the four primary types of tissues along with their general functions.

Level where tissues are groups of similar cells performing a common function (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).

Describe the organ level of organization, specifying what an organ is composed of and providing an example of its specialized function.

Level where organs are structures composed of two or more tissue types that perform specific functions (e.g., stomach).

How is the body system level of organization achieved, and what is the primary purpose of organs grouping together into organ systems?

Level where organs group into organ systems to carry out broad physiological roles.

What constitutes the organism level of organization?

The complete living individual.

What is the primary focus of study in the field of anatomy?

The study of the structure and form of organisms.

Define physiology, specifying what aspects of the body it investigates.

The study of the functions and mechanisms of body parts.

Who are anatomists, and what is the main subject of their scientific inquiry?

Scientists who study the structure of organisms.

What is the specific area of scientific study undertaken by physiologists?

Scientists who study how bodily functions occur and are regulated.

Elaborate on the definition of an atom and its fundamental role in forming molecules.

The basic unit of matter; atoms combine to form molecules.

How is a molecule defined in terms of its composition?

A chemical group of two or more atoms bonded together.

What are lipids, and what are their key functions within the body?

Fats and fat-like substances that store energy and form cell membranes.

Describe carbohydrates, including their primary roles as energy sources and structural components.

Sugars and starches used as energy sources and structural components.

Identify proteins and elaborate on their diverse roles in the body, such as structural, enzymatic, and signaling functions.

Large molecules with structural, enzymatic, and signaling roles.

What are nucleic acids, and what critical function do they serve in an organism?

DNA and RNA; molecules that store and transmit genetic information.

What is DNA, and what is its primary role within cells?

Deoxyribonucleic acid; genetic material that encodes information.

What is RNA, and what are its key functions in cellular processes?

Ribonucleic acid; involved in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Define monosaccharide, explaining its relationship to carbohydrates and providing an example.

A simple sugar; the basic unit of carbohydrates (e.g., glucose).

Describe the plasma membrane, including its composition and its crucial role in partitioning cellular spaces.

The phospholipid bilayer that encloses the cell and separates compartments.

What defines a cell as the fundamental unit of life, and what capabilities does it possess?

The smallest unit of life capable of carrying out basic life processes.

How is a tissue characterized in terms of its cellular composition and function?

A group of similarly specialized cells performing a common function.

What is an organ, distinguishing it by its composition and the nature of its function?

A structure composed of multiple tissue types that carries out a specific function.

Identify the stomach and describe its role within the digestive system regarding food processing.

An organ of the digestive system where food is mixed and digested.

What is epithelial tissue, and what are its primary functions in the body?

Tissue that lines surfaces and forms protective barriers.

Describe connective tissue and its essential roles in binding, supporting, and protecting other bodily structures.

Tissue that binds, supports, and protects other tissues and organs.

Explain the nature and function of smooth muscle tissue, particularly its role in organ movement.

Involuntary muscle tissue that contract to move contents through organs.

What is nervous tissue, and what are its critical functions in communication and coordination within the body?

Tissue that transmits electrical impulses and coordinates body activities.

Define homeostasis, emphasizing its characteristic of maintaining a dynamic, yet stable, internal environment.

Maintenance of a dynamic, relatively stable internal environment.

What is Extracellular Fluid (ECF), and what are its main components within the body?

Fluid outside cells but within the body, including plasma and interstitial fluid.

Where is Intracellular Fluid (ICF) located within the body?

Fluid inside body cells.

Define plasma, clarifying its relationship to blood and extracellular fluid.

The liquid portion of blood; part of the extracellular fluid.

What is interstitial fluid, and how does it relate to the extracellular fluid compartment?

Fluid surrounding cells; part of the extracellular fluid.

Who was Claude Bernard, and what significant concept did he introduce in 19th-century physiology?

19th-century physiologist who introduced the concept of uniformity in the internal environment

Who was Walter Cannon, and what key term did he coin to describe the body's internal stability?

Walter Cannon; coined homeostasis and described internal state being protected from change and stable

In the context of a homeostatic system, what is meant by a 'Set Point'?

The desired value for a regulated variable in a homeostatic system.

Define 'Sensor' within a homeostatic control system, specifying its function.

Receptor that detects the magnitude of the regulated variable.

What is the role of an 'Integrator' in a homeostatic system, and how does it process information?

Control center that processes sensory information and compares it to the set point.

Describe the function of an 'Effector' in a homeostatic mechanism, including what it is typically composed of.

Organ or tissue that elicits a response to adjust the regulated variable.

Explain 'Negative Feedback' as a homeostatic mechanism, detailing its action on the original change and its effect on system stability.

A corrective mechanism that opposes the original change and stabilizes the system.

How does 'Positive Feedback' operate as a physiological mechanism, and what is its typical impact on system stability?

A mechanism that amplifies changes and can move the system away from stability.

Characterize a 'Dynamic steady state' with regard to the internal environment's maintenance.

A state where the internal environment is maintained dynamically, not rigidly fixed.

What are the primary characteristics and functions of the Nervous System, particularly concerning its mode of communication?

System that uses electrical signals for rapid responses and higher functions.

Outline the key functions of the Digestive System regarding food processing and waste elimination.

System that digests food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Describe the essential roles of the Respiratory System, including gas exchange and its contribution to pH regulation.

System that supplies O2 and eliminates CO2, helping regulate pH.

What are the main regulatory and excretory functions performed by the Urinary System?

System that regulates volume, electrolytes, pH, and eliminates wastes.

Can you list the four primary chemical elements that constitute the vast majority of the human body's total mass, and state their combined percentage?

The four primary elements are oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen, which together account for 96\% of total body mass.

Could you specify the individual approximate percentages for oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen as they contribute to the total composition of the human body?

The individual percentages are:

• Oxygen: 65\%
• Carbon: 18.5\%
• Hydrogen: 9.5\%
• Nitrogen: 3.3\%