Chapter 1 Study Guide Flashcards
Prepare for Exam 1 (40 cards)
Physiology is
the study of biological function of how the body works from cell to tissue, tissue, to organ, organ to system, and how organism as a whole accomplishes particular tasks essential for life. Think of mechanics and cars.
Comparative Physiology
the physiology of invertebrates and of different vertebrate groups.
Vitalism
the processes of life are not explicable by the laws of physics and chemistry alone and that life is in some part self-determining.
Teleology
Designed with purpose in mind. Doctrine of Final Purpose.
Two Major Theories
Theory of Evolution and Cell Theory
Hypothesis
certain Observations regarding the natural world
Theory
a well substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment.
In the study of physiology, the emphasis is on
how things in the body work together.
Why is a hypothesis “scientific”
A hypothesis is scientific because experiments and tests are conducted in order to prove the validity of the hypothesis and formulate new hypothesis. It must be capable of being refuted by experiments or other observations of the natural world.
Experimental Group:
The group that is subject to the testing condition.
Control Group:
Another set of test subjects not tested on, this group is usually given placebos.
What is a “blind” study vs. Double blind?
Blind study is a study in which the experimenter is unaware of which group is subject to which procedure.
Double blind study is an experiment designed to test the effect of a treatment or substance by using groups of experimental and control subject in which neither the subjects nor the investigators know which treatment or substance is being administered to which group.
The scientific method always begins with an_____________ and ends with___________.
Begins with an observation and ends with being published
Erasistratus:
father of physiology, who attempted to apply physical laws to the study of human functions.
Galen:
wrote widely on the subject and was considered he supreme authority until the Renaissance.
William Harvey
Demonstrated that the heart pumps blood through a closed system of vessels.
Claude Bernard:
observed milieu interieur “internal environment” remains remarkably constant despite changing conditions in the external environment.
Walter B Cannon:
Wrote the book called The Wisdom of the Body, coined the term homeostasis to describe this internal constancy.
milieu interieur “internal environment”
“internal environment” remains remarkably constant despite changing conditions in the external environment.
Homeostasis
the dynamic constancy of the internal environment, the maintenance of which is the principal function of physiological regulatory mechanisms. The concept of homeostasis provides a framework for understand most physiological processes.
Negative Feed-back loop
is the response mechanism that serves to maintain the state of internal constancy, homeostasis. Effectors are activated by changes in the internal environment, and the inhibitory actions of these effectors serve to counteract these changes and maintain a state of balance. This is important because it helps regulate the body (e.g. hot – sweat, cold – shiver). Sensors detect a deviation from the set point, which then relays this info to an integrating center, which activates effectors.
What is “dynamic constancy”
Homeostasis is best conceived at this. Conditions are stabilized above and below a set point.
What is a positive feed-back loop?
Results in the amplification of an initial change. Positive feed-back results in “avalanche” like effects, as in the formation of blood clots.
Intrinsic:
mechanisms built in the organ being regulated