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Immediate Causation
Physiological mechanism underlying a trait of interest.
Development
Role of developmental timeline (experience) in shaping traits.
Proximate Questions
Questions addressing the 'how' of biological processes.
Evolution
Role of phylogeny and evolutionary history in shaping traits.
Adaptive Function
Role of a trait in increasing reproductive success.
Ultimate Questions
Questions addressing the 'why' of biological processes.
Physiological Systems Integration
Requires multiple levels of organization, from atomic to organism level.
Organismal Structure Integration
Involves multiple levels of organization to understand the complete organism.
Feedback Mechanisms
Drive physiology by allowing responses to stimulation through sensors, integrators, and effectors.
Negative Feedback
Response that opposes the stimulus; crucial for maintaining homeostasis.
Homeostasis
Balance and stability in chemical and physical conditions within the body.
Positive Feedback
Amplifies a process; rare; ex: childbirth.
Concentration Gradients
Movement of substances from high to low concentration.
Proteins
Critically important mediators of physiology.
Brown v. Board of Education
1954 ruling that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.
Natural Selection
Proposed mechanism for evolution by Darwin and Wallace.
Four Postulates of Natural Selection
Variation must exist in a population. 2. Some variation must be heritable. 3. Survival and reproductive success are variable. 4. Survival is not random; certain traits enhance success.
Adaptation
Evolutionary process occurring in populations; not reversible at the individual level.
Acclimation
Reversible changes in physiology in response to current environmental conditions.
Trade-offs
Considerations in evolution and physiology where one trait may benefit while another may suffer.
Cavefish Eye Loss
Example of evolutionary trade-offs leading to loss of a trait.
Photoreceptors
Cells in the retina that send signals to the brain.
Ciliary Body
Allows lens to change shape for vision adjustments.
Iris
Colored part of the eye that regulates light entry via pupil size.
Anterior + Posterior Compartments
Filled with fluid to nourish the eyes.
Cornea
Protects the eye; permits light to enter for vision.
Fertilization
Process where egg and sperm merge to form a zygote.
Cleavage
Rapid cell division resulting in a Blastula.
Gastrulation
Cell movements that form three germ layers.
Organogenesis
Process where specific tissues and organs develop.
Neurulation
Formation of the central nervous system from the neural tube.
Cell Type
A group of cells exhibiting similar functions, like neurons.
Cell Lineage
Developmental history of a cell or group of cells.
Uncommitted State
A cell's ability to become any type in the adult organism.
Committed State
A cell's specialization with limited potential types.
Differentiated State
Cells resembling a specific type with defined functions.
Gene Expression
Differences in proteins produced due to varied transcription and translation.
Transcription Factors
Proteins that control the initiation of transcription in gene expression.
Pax6
Transcription factor crucial for eye development.
Glucagon
Hormone that raises blood glucose levels.
Insulin
Hormone that lowers blood glucose levels.
Mitochondrial Density
Increased number of mitochondria leading to improved energy production.
Glycogen Utilization
Process allowing energy storage and release during high activity.
Aerobic Metabolism
Energy production using oxygen.
Anaerobic Metabolism
Energy production without oxygen, leading to lactic acid fermentation.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Energy expenditure of endotherms at rest.
Standard Metabolic Rate (SMR)
Similar to BMR but for ectotherms.
Endotherms
Animals that maintain high metabolic rates and body temperatures.
Ectotherms
Animals that rely on ambient temperature for their body temperature.
Sled Dogs
Adapted for endurance with specific physiological traits.
Glycogenolysis
Breakdown of glycogen into glucose.
Osmosis
Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.
Osmoregulators
Organisms that regulate internal osmolarity.
Osmoconformers
Organisms whose internal osmolarity matches that of their environment.
Aquaporins
Membrane channels that facilitate water movement.
Hyperosmositc
Solution with greater concentration of solutes.
Hypoosmotic
Solution with lower concentration of solutes.
Isomotic
Solution with equal concentration of solutes.
Glucose Homeostasis
Regulation of blood glucose levels through hormones.
Hypoglycemic
Condition of low glucose levels.
Hyperglycemic
Condition of high glucose levels.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 1
Insufficient insulin production leading to glucose regulation issues.
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
Insulin resistance leading to impaired glucose regulation.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals facilitating communication between neurons.
Endocrine System
Uses hormones for widespread chemical communication across the body.
Chemical Messengers
Substances secreted by cells to effect changes in other cells.
Hormone-Receptor Complex
Acts as a transcription factor, influencing gene expression.
Membrane Bound Receptors
Receptors that facilitate rapid cellular changes.
Intracellular Receptors
Receptors that influence changes more slowly than membrane receptors.
Peptide Hormones
Water-soluble hormones composed of amino acids.
Steroid Hormones
Fat-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol.
Myoglobin
Oxygen reserve/storage molecule found in muscle cells.
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