Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

These flashcards cover key concepts from the 'Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology' lecture notes, focusing on definitions, functions, and mechanisms related to anatomy, physiology, and homeostasis.

What is the study of the structure/morphology of the human body called?

Anatomy is the branch of science concerned with the physical structure of organisms, particularly the human body, encompassing the identification and description of the components of biological systems.

What is physiology?

Physiology is the scientific study of the functions and processes of the body and its parts, examining how systems within organisms work individually and in unison to maintain life.

What does the chemical level of organization consist of?

The chemical level of organization includes the building blocks of matter within organisms: subatomic particles (protons, neutrons, electrons), atoms (such as carbon and oxygen), molecules (like water and glucose), and macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids).

What are the basic structural and functional units of an organism?

Cells are the smallest units of life, serving as the fundamental building blocks of all living organisms, each with specific functions necessary for the organism's survival.

What fluid fills the narrow spaces between cells of tissues?

Interstitial fluid is the extracellular fluid that occupies the spaces between cells in tissues, serving as a medium for nutrient and waste exchange between blood and cells.

What are the two principal types of extracellular fluid (ECF)?

The two main types of extracellular fluid are interstitial fluid, which surrounds and bathes the cells, and plasma, the liquid component of blood that carries cells, nutrients, and waste.

What are the characteristics of life that involve a reaction to change?

Responsiveness is a characteristic of living organisms that enables them to respond to environmental changes and stimuli, ensuring adaptability and survival.

What is metabolism?

Metabolism refers to the entirety of biochemical reactions occurring within a living organism, including catabolic reactions (breaking down molecules to release energy) and anabolic reactions (building complex molecules from simpler ones).

What is the primary role of oxygen in organisms?

The primary role of oxygen in organisms is to facilitate the process of cellular respiration, where it acts as an electron acceptor in the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of cells.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the physiological process by which an organism maintains a stable internal environment despite external changes, crucial for sustaining life and ensuring optimal functioning of biological systems.

What generally disrupts homeostasis?

Homeostasis can be disrupted by various internal factors (such as hormonal changes or illness) and external stimuli (like environmental changes or pathogens), leading to physiological imbalances.

What are the three parts of a homeostatic mechanism?

The three essential components of a homeostatic mechanism are the receptor (which detects changes), the control center (which processes information and determines the response), and the effector (which carries out the response to restore balance).

What is a feedback system?

A feedback system is a regulatory mechanism that monitors a physiological condition and sends this information to a central control region, which then adjusts processes to maintain homeostasis.

What type of feedback system reverses the original stimulus?

A negative feedback system is a biological control mechanism that counteracts any deviation from a set point, effectively reversing changes to maintain stable conditions.

What is an example of a negative feedback mechanism?

An example of a negative feedback mechanism is the regulation of body temperature: when body temperature rises, mechanisms such as sweating are activated to cool the body down.

What is a positive feedback mechanism?

A positive feedback mechanism is a process that amplifies or intensifies the change in a system, often leading to an escalation of the response, as seen in childbirth where hormone release increases contractions.