Unit 1: Body Organization and Physiology Study Guide

Levels of Biological Organization and Life Requirements

  • Levels of Organization (Smallest to Largest):

    • Chemistry

    • Cells

    • Tissue

    • Organ

    • Organ System

    • Organism

  • Necessary Life Functions for Living Things:

    1. Maintaining boundaries

    2. Movement

    3. Responsiveness

    4. Digestion

    5. Metabolism

    6. Excretion

    7. Reproduction

    8. Growth

  • Survival Needs for Living Things:

    1. Nutrients

    2. Oxygen

    3. Normal body temperature

    4. Water

    5. Normal atmospheric pressure

Body Chemistry and Major Organic Molecules

  • Carbohydrates:

    • Function: Serves as a source of chemical energy or fuel to make ATP.

    • Examples: Sugars (glucose, sucrose) and starches.

  • Proteins:

    • Function: Act as structural elements, enzymes, and carriers.

    • Examples: Membrane proteins, catalase, antibodies, and hemoglobin.

  • Lipids:

    • Function: Store energy, regulate hormones, transmit nerve impulses, and cushion organs.

    • Examples: Cholesterol, myelin, and adipose tissue.

  • Nucleic Acids:

    • Function: Store and carry information.

    • Examples: DNA and RNA.

Human Body Systems

  • Integumentary System:

    • Function: Protects the body, regulates temperature, and prevents water loss.

    • Organs: Skin, hair, and nails.

  • Skeletal System:

    • Function: Provides support and protection, and gives the body shape.

    • Organs: Bones and joints.

  • Muscular System:

    • Function: Provides movement for all parts of the body.

    • Organs: Skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.

  • Nervous System:

    • Function: Detects impulses from senses and serves as the control center.

    • Organs: Brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

  • Endocrine System:

    • Function: Secretes hormones.

    • Organs: Glands (including the pancreas, pituitary, and thyroid).

  • Cardiovascular System:

    • Function: Transports nutrients and gases around the body.

    • Organs: Heart, blood, and blood vessels.

  • Lymphatic System / Immunity:

    • Function: Fights infection and provides fluid for cells.

    • Organs: Lymph vessels, nodes, and spleen.

  • Respiratory System:

    • Function: Exchanges gases.

    • Organs: Lungs.

  • Digestive System:

    • Function: Breaks down food and absorbs it.

    • Organs: Stomach, liver, intestines, and pancreas.

  • Urinary System:

    • Function: Removes waste from blood.

    • Organs: Kidneys and bladder.

  • Reproductive System:

    • Function: Produces cells used in sexual reproduction.

    • Organs: Ovaries and testes.

Homeostasis and Medical Imaging

  • Homeostasis Definition:

    • Stable internal conditions in the body.

  • Control Center:

    • The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that acts as the control center in homeostasis, particularly for thermoregulation.

  • Feedback Mechanisms:

    • Positive Feedback Mechanisms: Examples include childbirth and blood clotting.

    • Negative Feedback Mechanisms: Examples include blood pH, blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature regulation.

  • Medical Imaging Techniques:

    • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The best medical imaging technique for localizing a brain tumor.

Anatomical Directional Terms, Planes, and Body Regions

  • Directional Terms:

    • Proximal: Close to origin.

    • Distal: Away from origin.

    • Superior: Toward the head.

    • Inferior: Toward the feet (or tail).

    • Anterior / Ventral: Toward the abdominal side / front of the body.

    • Posterior / Dorsal: Toward the back of the body.

    • Medial: Toward the midline.

    • Lateral: Away from the midline / sides of the body.

  • Body Sections and Planes:

    • Coronal / Frontal Plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior sides.

    • Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

    • Oblique Plane: Cuts through the body at an angle.

    • Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right sides (not necessarily equal).

    • Midsagittal Plane: Divides the body into equal left and right halves.

    • Parasagittal Plane: Cuts off the midline, dividing the body into unequal left and right sections.

  • Anatomical Body Regions:

    • Buccal: Cheek region

    • Cervical: Neck region

    • Acromial: Point of the shoulder

    • Brachial: Arm region

    • Antecubital: Anterior surface of the elbow

    • Abdominals: Abdominal wall region

    • Lumbar: Lower back region

    • Inguinal: Groin region

    • Femoral: Thigh region

    • Popliteal: Posterior region of the knee

    • Sural: Calf region

Body Cavities and Abdominopelvic Regions

  • Anterior / Ventral Body Cavities:

    • Thoracic cavity

    • Abdominal cavity

    • Pelvic cavity

  • Posterior / Dorsal Body Cavities:

    • Cranial cavity

    • Spinal / Vertebral cavity

  • The 9 Abdominopelvic Regions:

    1. Right hypochondriac region (Top right)

    2. Epigastric region (Top middle)

    3. Left hypochondriac region (Top left)

    4. Right lumbar region (Middle right)

    5. Umbilical region (Center / middle)

    6. Left lumbar region (Middle left)

    7. Right iliac region (Bottom right)

    8. Hypogastric region (Bottom middle)

    9. Left iliac region (Bottom left)