Study guide

What is the definition of anatomy?

Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.

What is the definition of physiology?

Physiology is the study of the functions of the body parts and how they work together to support life.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment in the body.

Give an example of a factor that must be maintained via homeostasis.

Body temperature is an example of a factor that must be maintained via homeostasis.

What is the difference between negative feedback and positive feedback?

Negative feedback works to counteract a change, while positive feedback enhances or intensifies a change.

Why is negative feedback more common than positive feedback?

Negative feedback is more common because it maintains homeostasis by correcting deviations from the set point, whereas positive feedback can lead to unchecked processes.

What is the plasma membrane's key function?

The plasma membrane regulates what enters and exits the cell, providing a barrier and facilitating communication.

What are membrane proteins?

Membrane proteins are proteins that are part of, or interact with, the cell membrane and serve various functions like transport, acting as receptors, and enzymes.

What are the types of membrane proteins?

Types include receptors, enzymes, channel proteins, carrier proteins, cell-identity markers, and cell-adhesion molecules.

What does selectively permeable mean in the context of the plasma membrane?

Selectively permeable means that the membrane allows certain substances to pass while restricting others.

What is passive transport?

Passive transport is the movement of molecules across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

What is active transport?

Active transport is the movement of molecules across the cell membrane using energy, typically against their concentration gradient.

What is osmosis?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What are isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions?

Isotonic solutions have equal concentrations, hypertonic solutions have higher concentration outside the cell causing it to shrink, and hypotonic solutions have lower concentration outside the cell causing it to swell.

What is the sodium-potassium pump?

The sodium-potassium pump is an active transport mechanism that pumps sodium ions out of and potassium ions into the cell, crucial for maintaining electrochemical gradients.

What are the major functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

The ANS regulates the functions of internal organs, smooth and cardiac muscles, usually involuntarily.

What are somatic reflexes?

Somatic reflexes are reflex actions involving skeletal muscles.

What is the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?

The hypothalamus regulates the pituitary gland and links the nervous system to the endocrine system, controlling several bodily functions.

What are hormones?

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that regulate various physiological processes.

What is cardiac output?

Cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

What should be understood about systole and diastole?

Systole refers to the contraction phase of the heart cycle, while diastole refers to the relaxation phase.

What role do alveoli play in the respiratory system?

Alveoli are the sites of gas exchange in the lungs, where oxygen is absorbed and carbon dioxide is released.

What is the function of glucagon?

Glucagon increases blood glucose levels by promoting the conversion of stored glycogen in the liver to glucose.

What is type I diabetes?

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body does not produce insulin.

What is type II diabetes?

Type II diabetes is a condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough insulin.

What is acidosis?

Acidosis is an excess of acid in the body fluids, leading to a decrease in pH levels.

What is alkalosis?

Alkalosis is an excess of base in the body fluids, leading to an increase in pH levels.