Lecture 1

Question 1

complex system approach

Answer 1

knowledge of the elements is essential to understanding the system but greater emphasis is placed on investigating and understanding the system as a whole.

Question 2

three major types of substances can cross membranes

Answer 2

1. solvents
2. electrolytes
3. nonelectrolytes

Question 3

convection

Answer 3

movement of a solute based on a pressure gradient. the pressure differential will dictate the rate of flow. the flow always goes from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

Question 4

diffusion

Answer 4

the movement of particles dissolved in a solvent from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

Question 5

electric current

Answer 5

movement of charged particles (ions) under the action of a difference of potentials

Question 6

osmosis

Answer 6

movement of water from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration; the total concentration of particles matter

Question 7

in a state of equilibrium, the movements of all particles are _____. there are no net charges in the concentrations

Answer 7

counterbalanced

Question 8

three important properties of ion channels in signaling in the nervous system

Answer 8

• they conduct ions
• they recognize specific ions
• they open and close in response to specific electrical, mechanical and chemical signals

Question 9

up to ______ ions can pass through a single channel per second

Answer 9

100 million

Question 10

Ion channels allow for rapid changes in _____.

Answer 10

membrane potential

Question 11

reductionism

Answer 11

reducing the elements of a system to a basic level of functioning elements