Introduction to Physiology

A series of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the Introduction to Physiology lecture notes.

Physiology

Investigation of the processes or functions of living things.

Chemical Level

The most basic level of organization in the human body, involving interactions of atoms and molecules.

Cell Level

Structural and functional units of the body, containing organelles that perform specific functions.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells that combine to form tissues.

Four Types of Tissues

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.

Organ Level

Level of organization where two or more types of tissues combine to form an organ.

Organ System Level

Multiple organs working together to perform specific functions.

Organism Level

The highest level of organization, representing a whole living being.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions taking place in living organisms to maintain life and use energy.

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to detect and respond to changes in internal or external environments.

Reproduction

The creation of new cells or organisms.

Growth

Increase in cell size and/or number over time.

Plasma Membrane

A barrier that separates intracellular fluid from extracellular fluid and regulates the movement of substances.

Diffusion

The movement of solutes from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules against a concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

An example of active transport that exchanges sodium ions out of and potassium ions into the cell.

Endocytosis

The process by which cells internalize substances from their external environment.

Exocytosis

The process of expelling materials from the cell by vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane.

Mitochondria

Organelles known as the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for producing ATP through aerobic processes.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle that assists in the production and transport of proteins and lipids, consisting of rough (ribosome-studded) and smooth (ribosome-free) regions.

Golgi Apparatus

An organelle that modifies, packages, and distributes molecules produced by the endoplasmic reticulum.