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Maintaining Boundaries

Separation between internal and external environments, such as plasma membranes and skin.

Movement

The ability to change physical location or position.

Responsiveness

The ability to sense and respond to stimuli, such as blood flow rate and withdrawal reflex.

Digestion

The breakdown of food into simple molecules, involving physical and chemical processes.

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body, including catabolism (breakdown of molecules) and anabolism (synthesis of molecules).

Excretion

The removal of wastes from metabolism and digestion, including urea, carbon dioxide, and feces.

Reproduction

The process of producing offspring, encompassing cellular division and organismal reproduction.

Growth

The increase in size of a body part or the organism as a whole.

Integumentary System

The external body covering that protects and synthesizes vitamin D, containing receptors, sweat, and oil glands.

Skeletal System

Composed of bones and joints, it protects organs, supports the body, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles, responsible for locomotion, facial expressions, and producing heat.

Nervous System

The fast-acting control system that responds to stimuli and acts on muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

The control system that involves glands secreting hormones related to growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Cardiovascular System

Comprising the heart and blood vessels, it transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste.

Lymphatic System

Picks up extra fluid from blood vessels and houses cells involved in immunity.

Respiratory System

Responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients; eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces.

Urinary System

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

Male Reproductive System

Produces offspring through testes, which generate sperm and male sex hormones.

Female Reproductive System

Produces offspring via ovaries, which release ova and female sex hormones; includes structures for fertilization and fetal development.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body.

Physiology

The study of the function of the body's structures.

Gross anatomy

The study of anatomy that can be observed with the naked eye.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Embryology

The study of developmental changes before birth.

Radiographic Anatomy

The visualization of structures through specialized scanning techniques.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of structural changes caused by disease.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan)

A scanning technique that shows regions of brain activity based on beta-amyloid accumulation.

Anatomical Terminology

The standardized language used to describe body structures and positions.

Complementarity of structure and function

The principle that form follows function; structure and function are closely related.

Levels of Structural Organization

A hierarchy of organization in the human body, including chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

Epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers structures and lines cavities.

Connective tissue

Tissue that supports and protects organs.

Muscular tissue

Tissue responsible for movement.

Nervous tissue

Tissue responsible for communication within the body.

Organ

Structures composed of at least two different tissue types that perform specific functions.

Organ System

A group of organs working together for a common purpose.

Chemical level

The level of organization where atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular level

The level of organization where cells are constructed from molecules.

Tissue level

The level of organization where similar types of cells form tissues.

Organismal level

The highest level of organization, where different organ systems work together to sustain life.

Survival Needs

Essential requirements for maintaining life, including nutrients, oxygen, water, body temperature, and atmospheric pressure.

Nutrients

Substances that provide energy and cell-building materials; includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Negative feedback

A control mechanism that counteracts a change in a variable to restore balance.

Positive feedback

A process in which the response enhances the original stimulus, leading to an amplified effect.

Receptor (sensor)

Part of the control mechanism that monitors the environment and responds to stimuli.

Control center

Determines the set point, receives input from receptors, and controls the output response.

Effector

The component that produces a response based on signals received from the control center.

Dynamic Equilibrium

A state of balance that requires constant adjustment to changing conditions.

Homeostatic Imbalance

A condition that increases the risk of disease or damage to the system.