Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

A set of practice flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on anatomy and physiology, including definitions, hierarchy, terminology, and homeostasis.

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Anatomy is the structure of body parts; physiology is their function; they are complementary.

List the hierarchy of organization from atoms to the organism.

Atom → molecule → macromolecule → organelle → cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism.

What are the four basic tissue types?

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

What is gross anatomy?

Anatomy visible to the naked eye (macroscopic anatomy).

What is histology?

The study of tissues at the microscopic level.

What is histopathology?

The study of diseased tissues under the microscope.

What is cytology?

The study of cells.

What is dissection?

Cutting open a body or organ to study internal structures.

What is a cadaver?

A dead human body used for medical study and dissection.

What is comparative anatomy?

The study of similarities and differences between species to understand structure and function.

What is exploratory surgery?

Opening a living body to see what's wrong; now largely replaced by imaging.

What is radiology?

The study and use of imaging techniques to visualize internal structures.

What is neurophysiology?

The physiology of the nervous system.

What is endocrinology?

The study of hormones and the endocrine system.

What is pathophysiology?

The physiology of disease—how disease alters normal function.

What is comparative physiology?

The study of how different species function to understand general principles.

What is reductionism?

The idea that large, complex systems can be understood by studying their parts.

What is holism?

The view that the whole is more than the sum of its parts and cannot be predicted from the parts alone.

What is homeostasis?

Maintaining a relatively stable internal condition.

What are the main components of homeostasis mentioned in the notes?

Negative feedback, positive feedback, and gradients.

What are the living characteristics listed?

Organization, metabolism, responsiveness, movement, development, differentiation, growth, evolution.

What is organization in living things?

A high level of organization; composed of cells.

What is metabolism?

Chemical changes within the body.

What is responsiveness?

The ability to sense and respond to stimuli.

What is movement?

Moving or causing movement internally or externally.

What is development?

Change in form or function over time.

What is differentiation?

Transformation of unspecialized cells into specialized cells.

What is growth?

Increase in size or number.

What is evolution?

Change in a population over time due to mutations.

Why is physiological variation important in dosing drugs?

Physiology varies more across individuals (sex, age, weight, diet, activity, genetics, environment); this affects drug metabolism and dosing.

What does situs inversus mean?

Organs are mirrored to the opposite side.

What does palpitate mean?

Feeling a structure with the hands, e.g., palpating a pulse.

What does oscillation mean?

Listening to sounds with a stethoscope.

What is percussion?

Tapping on the body to assess underlying structures and sounds.

What is inspection?

Looking at a structure or area as part of examination.

What does the prefix 'neuro-' mean?

Nervous system.

What does the prefix 'endo-' mean?

Within; inside.

What does the prefix 'patho-' mean?

Disease.

What does the prefix 'cyto-' mean?

Cell.

What is a cell?

The smallest unit of life that carries out basic functions.