The Human Body - An Orientation Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary flashcard set created from lecture notes covering human anatomy, physiology, levels of structural organization, homeostatic control mechanisms, and organ systems.

Anatomy

Study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts

Physiology

Study of how the body and its parts work or function

Gross Anatomy

Study of large structures that are easily observable

Microscopic Anatomy

Study of very small structures that can only be viewed with a microscope

Chemical level

Structural level where atoms combine to form molecules

Cellular level

Structural level where cells are made up of molecules

Tissue level

Structural level consisting of similar types of cells

Organ level

Structural level where organs are made up of different types of tissues

Organ system level

Structural level consisting of different organs that work together closely

Organismal level

Structural level where human organisms are made up of many organ systems

Receptor

Responds to changes in the environment (stimuli) and sends information to the control center

Control center

Determines set point, analyzes information, and determines appropriate response

Effector

Provides a method for response to the stimulus (ex sweat glands to cool down, muscle activty)

Water

Makes up 60-80% of body weight and is used in metabolic reactions

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment, representing a dynamic state of equilibrium

• Means keeping your body's internal environment stable and balanced.

• It is a dynamic state, meaning your body constantly makes small adjustments to stay healthy.

Negative feedback

Includes most homeostatic control mechanisms; shuts off the original stimulus, or reduces its intensity, working like a household thermostat

(a body system that keeps your internal state balanced by stopping or slowing down a change)

Positive feedback

Feedback mechanism that increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther; in the body, it only occurs in blood clotting and birth of a baby

(a body system that makes a change bigger and faster instead of stopping it.)

Integumentary system

Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissue from injury, synthesizes vitamin D, and is the location of cutaneous nerve receptors

Skeletal system

Protects and supports body organs, provides muscle attachment for movement, site of blood cell formation, and stores minerals

Muscular system

Allows locomotion, maintains posture, and produces heat

Nervous system

Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external change, and activates muscles & glands

Endocrine system

Secretes regulatory hormones for growth, reproduction, and metabolism

Cardiovascular system

Transports materials in the body via blood pumped by heart, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes

Lymphatic system

Returns fluids to blood vessels, disposes of debris, and is involved in immunity

Respiratory system

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon

Digestive system

Breaks down food, allows for nutrient absorption into blood, and eliminates indigestible material

Excretory-Urinary system

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, maintains acid-base balance, and regulates water and electrolytes

Reproductive system

Responsible for the production of offspring