CHAPTER 1: PHYSIOLOGY EXAM 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Chapter 01 notes.

Physiology

Study of biological function; how the body works; emphasizes mechanisms and cause–effect sequences in normal cell function.

Pathophysiology

Study of how disease or injury alters physiological processes; helps understanding of normal processes.

Comparative physiology

Study of differences and similarities in function across species; has aided drug development.

Scientific Method

1. Systematic process of making observations

2. Asking questions, forming testable hypotheses,

3. Predicting outcomes,

4. Conducting experiments,

5. Analyzing data

6. Replicating results

Hypothesis

A testable educated guess about a phenomenon.

In vitro

Experiments performed outside living organisms, typically in a culture dish.

In vivo

Experiments performed in living organisms.

Phase I clinical trials

Drug tested in healthy volunteers to assess safety, metabolism, dosage, and side effects.

Phase II clinical trials

Trials to assess drug effectiveness in patients with the disease.

Phase III clinical trials

Large-scale trials to evaluate safety and efficacy across diverse populations before FDA approval.

Phase IV clinical trials

Post-marketing studies to explore additional applications of the drug.

Homeostasis

Constancy of the internal environment; maintained by physiological mechanisms; deviation indicates disease; often achieved by negative feedback.

Negative feedback loop

Regulatory pathway that moves a variable in the opposite direction of a change to restore the set point.

Sensor

Receptor that detects changes and sends information to the integrating center.

Integrating center

Control center (often the brain) that interprets signals and directs responses.

Effector

Organ or tissue that carries out the response to counteract the change.

Set point

Target value around which a physiologic variable is maintained.

Antagonistic effectors

Pairs of effectors that move conditions in opposite directions to maintain normal range.

Positive feedback

End product amplifies the process; increases changes and is usually part of a larger regulatory system that ends with a negative feedback.

Example: Child Labor & Growth

Intrinsic regulation

Regulation within an organ by its own cells sensing and responding to changes.

Extrinsic regulation

Regulation of an organ by signals from brain or other organs through endocrine or nervous systems.

Neural regulation

Regulation of organs via the nervous system with nerve fibers.

Endocrine regulation

Regulation via hormones released into the blood by endocrine glands.

Dendrites

Branched extensions of a neuron that receive signals.

Axon

Long projection of a neuron that transmits signals away from the cell body.

Neuron

Nerve cell that conducts impulses; composed of dendrites, an axon, and a cell body.

Neuroglia

Supporting cells in the nervous system essential for neuron function.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that forms membranes covering body surfaces, lining hollow organs, and glands; classified by layers and cell shapes.

Simple epithelium

Single layer of epithelial cells; functions vary with type (transport, secretion, absorption).

Stratified epithelium

Two or more layers of epithelial cells; mainly provides protection.

Squamous epithelium

Flattened, scaly epithelial cells.

Cuboidal epithelium

Cube-shaped epithelial cells; typically involved in secretion and absorption.

Columnar epithelium

Tall, column-shaped epithelial cells; often absorb and secrete.

Goblet cell

Mucus-secreting epithelial cell often associated with columnar epithelium.

Cilia

Hair-like projections on epithelial cells that move substances along surfaces.

Simple squamous epithelium

Single layer of flat cells; enables rapid diffusion and filtration.

Simple cuboidal epithelium

Single layer of cube-shaped cells; supports secretion/absorption.

Simple columnar epithelium

Single layer of tall columnar cells; specialized for absorption and secretion.

Connective tissue

Tissue with a matrix of protein fibers and ground substance; supports and binds other tissues.

Loose connective tissue

Fibers loosely arranged; more space for blood vessels and nerves.

Dense regular connective tissue

Densely packed collagen fibers aligned for unidirectional strength (tendons and ligaments).

Adipose tissue

Tissue that stores fat; composed of adipocytes.

Cartilage

Semi-solid connective tissue with chondrocytes; cushions joints and provides a developing skeletal template.