Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

These flashcards cover key concepts from the Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology module, focusing on definitions and major ideas related to anatomy, physiology, animal tissue types, and homeostatic mechanisms.

What is Anatomy?

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

What is Physiology?

The study of how the body normally functions.

What are the basic ideas in Anatomy and Physiology?

Exchange with the environment, animal tissue types, communication and homeostasis, thermoregulation and energy expenditure.

Why are some body structures highly branched or folded?

To facilitate exchange of essential substances and secretion of wastes.

What are the four basic types of animal tissues?

Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

What is the role of epithelial tissue?

Covers outer and inner surfaces of the body and regulates passage of substances.

How are epithelial tissue cells classified?

By shape and arrangement: simple (1 layer) and stratified (many layers).

What does connective tissue provide?

Physical structure to the body.

What are the characteristics of muscle tissue?

Produces movement of the body and within the body; can be voluntary or involuntary.

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle.

What are neurons?

The basic cells of nervous tissue that transmit signals.

What are the two communication systems in the body?

Nervous system and endocrine system.

What is homeostasis?

Regulation of conditions in the body’s internal environment to keep it stable.

What is a feedback loop?

A system that maintains a desired value (set point) through a series of actions.

What is negative feedback?

A process where the response of a system shuts itself off when the set point is achieved.

What is an example of positive feedback?

Giving Birth

How do set points change?

environmental factors or other influences, circadiam rhythm

What is acclimatization?

Adjustment in an organism's physiology in response to environmental changes.

What is an endotherm?

An organism that maintains a relatively constant body temperature regardless of external conditions.

How do endothermic animals prevent heat loss?

Through insulation (fur or feathers) and circulatory adjustments.

What are the ways the body can lose heat?

Radiation, evaporation, convection, and conduction.

What is torpor?

A state of decreased activity and metabolism in response to environmental conditions.

How does evaporative heat loss cool the body?

When water evaporates, it absorbs heat energy, cooling the body.

What is brown fat and its role?

A specialized tissue that produces heat using mitochondria during cold conditions.

What is metabolic rate?

The sum of all the energy an animal uses in a given time period.

How does body size affect metabolic rate?

Bigger animals have higher metabolic rates but are also more efficient.