Major Themes of Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
Chapter 1 (21 cards)
What is anatomy?
The study of structure
What is physiology
The study of function
What are the subdivisions of anatomy?
- Gross/macroscopic
- Microscopic
- Developmental
What is gross anatomy?
The study of structures that can be seen with the naked eye
What is microscopic anatomy?
The study of structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye (must use a microscope) including;
- Cytology: the study of structure and function of cells
- Histology: examination of tissues
What is developmental anatomy?
Focus on growth and embryology
Function always reflects ____?
Structure
Describe levels of organization from the simplest to most complex
- Atoms
- Molecules
- Organelle
- Tissue
- Organ
- Organ System
- Organism
What is an organ system?
A group of organs with unique collective function
What is an organ?
Structure composed of two or more tissue types that work together to carry out a function
What is a tissue?
Similar cells and cell products forming a discrete region of an organ and performing a specific function
What are examples of different organ systems?
- Integumentary system: skin
- Skeletal system: bones/joints
- Muscular system
- Nervous system: electrical impulses
What are the basic functions that all LIVING things perform?
- Maintain boundaries
- Movement (internal or external)
- Responsiveness (to the env.)
- Digestion (take in food from outside env.)
- Metabolism (use food to create energy)
- Excretion (removal of waste)
- Reproduction (sexual or asexual)
- Growth
What are some of the survival needs of living organisms?
- Nutrients
- Oxygen
- Water
- Normal body temp (homeostasis)
- Stable atmospheric pressure
Describe homeostasis
Maintaining relatively stable internal conditions
The ability to detect a change and activate mechanisms that oppose it
Describe negative feedback
- Primary mechanism of homeostatic regulation
- Allows for dynamic equilibrium within a limited range around a set point
- The body senses a change and “negates” (reverses) it
Good for long term control over the body’s internal conditions and systems
What are the components of a negative feedback system?
- Receptor: senses initial change and sends a message to the control center
- Control center: processes information and “makes a decision” that directs the response
- Effector: cell or organ that carries out the final corrective action necessary to restore homeostasis
What are some examples of negative feedback systems?
- Regulation of body temp (vasodilation/ vasoconstriction)
- Regulation of blood pressure
Describe a positive feedback system
- Self-amplifying cycle
- Accelerates a process to completion
- Initial stimulus produces a response that enhances the change in the original condition
What are some examples of positive feedback systems?
- Labor contractions
- Platelet plug formation
Matter and energy always flow ____ gradients
Down
