Anatomy CH 1

Question 1

What are elements?

Answer 1

Substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances

• Elements are the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Question 2

What are atoms?

Answer 2

Small building blocks of matter that give each element its own physical and chemical properties

• Atoms are composed of subatomic particles.

Question 3

What subatomic particles make up atoms?

Answer 3

Protons, neutrons, and electrons

• Protons carry a positive charge, electrons carry a negative charge, and neutrons are neutral.

Question 4

Where are protons and neutrons found in an atom?

Answer 4

In the nucleus (center of an atom)

Question 5

What determines the atomic mass of an element?

Answer 5

The total number of protons and neutrons

• The atomic mass is approx. = to total the number of protons and neutrons.

Question 6

Where are electrons located in an atom?

Answer 6

In orbitals around the nucleus within an electron cloud/shell

• Electrons determine the chemical properties of an atom.
  *

Question 7

What are valence electrons?

Answer 7

Electrons found in an atom’s outermost shell

• Valence electrons determine the chemical bonding properties of an atom.

Question 8

What does the octet rule state?

Answer 8

8 electrons are needed to be present in an atom’s outer shell to be stable

• This rule applies to atoms with more than one shell.

Question 9

What is ionization?

Answer 9

The process where an atom or molecule gains or loses electrons, resulting in a charged particle (ion)

• Ionization can result in the formation of cations and anions.

Question 10

What is the difference between cations and anions?

Answer 10

Cations are positive ions; anions are negative ions

• Cations form when atoms lose electrons, while anions form when atoms gain electrons.

Question 11

What are electrolytes?

Answer 11

Electrically conducting mixtures formed when ions separate from salts in water

• In the body, electrolytes help transmit electrical signals.
• Electrolytes are crucial for homeostasis & cell function
• Electrolyte balance is one of the most important considerations in patient care.
• A severe electrolyte imbalance can impact muscle contractions, nerve impulses, & even cardiac functions.

Question 12

What is equilibrium in the context of the body?

Answer 12

The state when the body keeps everything balanced and stable

• This includes temperature, water levels, and energy.

Question 13

What is the anatomical position?

Answer 13

Body is straight, feet slightly apart (shoulder width), palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from the body

• This position serves as a reference point for anatomical terminology.

Question 14

Anterior(ventral)

Answer 14

Toward the front of the body.

Question 15

What is a sagittal plane?

Answer 15

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body or organs into left and right parts

Question 16

transverse plane

Answer 16

Divides the body or its organs into upper (superior or proximal) and lower (inferior or distal) parts
* cuts the body horizontally, creating a upper and lower half

• Also known as a cross-section or horizontal plane.

Question 17

Posterior (dorsal)

Answer 17

Toward the back of the body.

Question 18

Superior

Answer 18

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Question 19

Inferior

Answer 19

Toward the lower part or away from the head.

Question 20

Medial

Answer 20

Toward the middle or center of the body.

Question 21

Lateral

Answer 21

Away from the middle or center of the body.

Question 22

Median

Answer 22

The exact middle line of the body, dividing it into left and right halves.

Question 23

Superficial

Answer 23

Closer to the surface of the body (like the skin).

Question 24

Deep

Answer 24

Further away from the surface, closer to the internal organs or bones.

Question 25

Intermediate

Answer 25

In between superficial and deep layers.

Question 26

Directional Terms for the anatomy of the limbs (arms and legs)

Answer 26

Proximal: Closer to where the limb connects to the body For example, the elbow is proximal to the wrist because it’s closer to the shoulder. Distal: Farther from where the limb connects to the body. For example, the fingers are distal to the wrist because they’re farther from the shoulder.

Question 27

midsagittal plane

Answer 27

when the body or its organs are divided into equal left & right parts.

Question 28

parasagittal plane

Answer 28

divides the body or its organs into unequal left & right parts.

Question 29

frontal/coronal plane

Answer 29

divides the body or its organs into anterior/ventral & posterior/dorsal parts

Question 30

ions

Answer 30

charged particles with unequal numbers of protons & electrons. * Ions form because elements with 1 to 3 valence electrons tend to give them up, while those with 4 to 7 electrons tend to gain more. This process is called ionization.