Human Organisation and Homeostasis

Question 1

Abdominal Cavity

Answer 1

A space in the human body that encloses the spleen, liver, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine and most of the large intestine.

Question 2

Afferent Pathway

Answer 2

Input from a receptor that is sent to a control center.

Question 3

Anatomical Position

Answer 3

The standard position of reference for defining regions or parts of a human body.

Question 4

Anatomy

Answer 4

The science of body structures and the relationships between them.

Question 5

Anterior

Answer 5

Nearer to or at the front of the body.

Question 6

Atom

Answer 6

The smallest units of matter in the human body.

Question 7

Cell

Answer 7

The basic functional units of an organism that are composed of chemicals.

Question 8

Control Center

Answer 8

A body structure that sets the range of values which a controlled condition should be maintained within.

Question 9

Cranial Cavity

Answer 9

A space in the body that is formed by cranial bones and contains the brain.

Question 10

Deep

Answer 10

Away from the surface of the body. Example; the ribs are deep to the skin of the chest and back.

Question 11

Distal

Answer 11

Farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example; the finger bones (phalanges) are distal to the wrist bones.

Question 12

Dorsal

Answer 12

Nearer to or at the back of the body (also known as posterior)

Question 13

Effector

Answer 13

A body structure that receives output from a control center and produces a response that changes the controlled condition.

Question 14

Efferent Pathway

Answer 14

Output from a control center that is sent to an effector.

Question 15

Frontal/coronal plane

Answer 15

A vertical plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior and posterior sections.

Question 16

Homeostasis

Answer 16

The condition of balance in the body’s internal environment.

Question 17

Inferior

Answer 17

Away from the head OR lower part of a structure. Example; the stomach is inferior to the lungs.

Question 18

Lateral

Answer 18

Farther away from the midline. Example; the lungs are lateral to the heart.

Question 19

Medial

Answer 19

Nearer to the midline. Example: the heart is medial to the lungs.

Question 20

Midsagittal Plane

Answer 20

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left EQUAL right and left sides.

Question 21

Mediastinum

Answer 21

The central portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs; contains the heart, thymus, oesophagus, trachea and several large blood vessels.

Question 22

Molecule

Answer 22

Two or more atoms that join together. Example: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and glucose.

Question 23

Negative Feedback

Answer 23

A cycle of events in which a change in a controlled condition is reversed.

Question 24

Organ

Answer 24

Body structures that are composed of two different types of tissues, have recognizable shapes and have specific functions.

Question 25

Organ System

Answer 25

Related organs with a common function. Example: the digestive system.

Question 26

Organism

Answer 26

A living being. All levels from chemical to systemic combined.

Question 27

Pelvic Cavity

Answer 27

Part of the abdominopelvic cavity. Contains urinary bladder, portions of large intestine and the internal reproductive organs.

Question 28

Pericardial Cavity

Answer 28

A fluid filled space around the heart. Part of the thoracic cavity.

Question 29

Physiology

Answer 29

Science of body functions: how the body parts work.

Question 30

Pleural Cavities

Answer 30

Two fluid filled spaces around the lungs. Part of the thoracic cavity.

Question 31

Posterior

Answer 31

Nearer to or at the back of the body. Example: the spine is posterior to the breastbone.

Question 32

Positive Feedback

Answer 32

A cycle of events in which a change in a controlled condition is enhanced or strengthened.

Question 33

Proximal

Answer 33

Nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunk. Example: the humerus is proximal to the radius.

Question 34

Receptor

Answer 34

A body structure that monitors change in a controlled environment and sends input to a control center.

Question 35

Superficial

Answer 35

Towards or on the surface of the body. Example: the ribs are superficial to the lungs.

Question 36

Superior

Answer 36

Towards the head or upper part of the structure. Example: the head is superior to the lungs.

Question 37

Thoracic Cavity

Answer 37

A space in the upper/middle part of the chest formed by the ribs, sternum, muscles of the chest, breastbone and the thoracic section of the backbone.

Question 38

Tissue

Answer 38

Groups of cells. There are three types of tissue: Epithelial, Muscular and Nervous.

Question 39

Transverse Plane

Answer 39

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Question 40

Ventral

Answer 40

Nearer to or at the front of the body. Also known as anterior.

Question 41

Vertebral Canal

Answer 41

A space that is continuous with the cranial cavity. Formed by the vertebral column and contains the spinal cord and the beginnings of spinal nerves.