Week 1

Question 1

What is anatomy?

Answer 1

Anatomy is the study of the structure and organization of living organisms, including organs, tissues, and cells. It focuses on size, shape, location, and relationships of body parts.

Question 2

What is physiology?

Answer 2

Physiology is the study of the functions and processes within living organisms, including how organs and systems work together to maintain life and homeostasis.

Question 3

What are the two main areas of anatomy?

Answer 3

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy, which examines the body using eyesight, and microscopic anatomy, which studies structures too small to be seen by the human eye.

Question 4

What are the three ways gross anatomy can be studied?

Answer 4

Regional anatomy studies all structures in a specific region. Systemic anatomy studies body structures by systems. Surface anatomy studies internal structures as they relate to the skin.

Question 5

What are the two main subdivisions of microscopic anatomy?

Answer 5

Cytology, the study of cells, and histology, the study of tissues.

Question 6

What does physiology study?

Answer 6

Physiology studies how chemicals, cells, organs, and systems function in the body.

Question 7

What are some areas studied in physiology?

Answer 7

The release of neurotransmitters, the production and storage of cells, and how calcium is released to stimulate muscle contractions.

Question 8

How are anatomy and physiology related?

Answer 8

Anatomy studies physical structure and form, while physiology studies how those structures function together.

Question 9

What are some examples of organs?

Answer 9

The heart, lungs, brain, liver, and kidneys.

Question 10

What is an organ system?

Answer 10

Two or more organs working together to perform a function.

Question 11

What are some examples of organ systems?

Answer 11

The digestive system, cardiovascular system, and nervous system.

Question 12

How do organ systems relate to an organism?

Answer 12

An organism is made up of many organ systems that work together to develop, survive, and reproduce.

Question 13

What is an organ system?

Answer 13

A group of anatomic structures that work together to perform a specific function or task.

Question 14

Why must organ systems work together?

Answer 14

The body’s organ systems overlap in function, and failure of even one system can lead to severe disability or death.

Question 15

How many organ systems are in the human body?

Answer 15

11 different organ systems.

Question 16

How can an organ belong to more than one system?

Answer 16

Some organs serve multiple functions. For example, the testes and ovaries are part of both the endocrine and reproductive systems.

Question 17

What structures are included in the integumentary system?

Answer 17

Skin, hair, sweat glands, and nails.

Question 18

How does the integumentary system help protect and regulate the body?

Answer 18

It provides protection and regulates body temperature.

Question 19

How does the integumentary system contribute to excretion and vitamin production?

Answer 19

It excretes salts and urea through perspiration and generates vitamin D.

Question 20

What sensory functions does the integumentary system perform?

Answer 20

It senses pain, cold, temperature, and pressure.

Question 21

What structure is included in the muscular system?

Answer 21

Skeletal muscles.

Question 22

How does the muscular system help the body move and stay stable?

Answer 22

It enables movement and provides support.

Question 23

What other functions does the muscular system perform?

Answer 23

It maintains posture and produces heat.

Question 24

What structures are included in the skeletal system?

Answer 24

Bones, joints, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Question 25

How does the skeletal system support and protect the body?

Answer 25

It provides structural support and protects vital organs.

Question 26

What roles does the skeletal system play in movement and storage?

Answer 26

It participates in movement and locomotion and stores minerals.

Question 27

How does the skeletal system contribute to blood cell production?

Answer 27

It produces blood cells in the bone marrow.

Question 28

What structures are included in the nervous system?

Answer 28

Brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory receptors.

Question 29

How does the nervous system gather information?

Answer 29

Sensory receptors detect changes in and around the body.

Question 30

How does the nervous system control body functions?

Answer 30

It controls the activity of muscles and glands.

Question 31

What higher functions does the nervous system regulate?

Answer 31

Consciousness, intelligence, and memory.

Question 32

What structures are included in the cardiovascular system?

Answer 32

Heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Question 33

What does the cardiovascular system transport?

Answer 33

It pumps blood to distribute hormones, nutrients, and gases.

Question 34

How does the cardiovascular system help remove waste?

Answer 34

It transports waste products for elimination.

Question 35

What structures are included in the lymphatic system?

Answer 35

Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils.

Question 36

How does the lymphatic system help maintain fluid balance?

Answer 36

It returns leaked fluids from the blood back to the blood vessels.

Question 37

How does the lymphatic system support immunity?

Answer 37

It provides surveillance sites for immune cells and cleans debris.

Question 38

What structures are included in the respiratory system?

Answer 38

Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, and diaphragm.

Question 39

What is the main function of the respiratory system?

Answer 39

It is the site of gas exchange in the body.

Question 40

How does the respiratory system handle oxygen and carbon dioxide?

Answer 40

It absorbs oxygen into the bloodstream and removes carbon dioxide.

Question 41

What structures are included in the endocrine system?

Answer 41

Thyroid, pituitary, pancreas, adrenals, hypothalamus, gonads, and pineal gland.

Question 42

What does the endocrine system regulate?

Answer 42

It produces hormones that regulate body functions.

Question 43

What specific functions does the endocrine system control?

Answer 43

It controls moods, growth and development, and metabolism.

Question 44

What structures are included in the urinary system?

Answer 44

Kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Question 45

How does the urinary system remove waste?

Answer 45

It filters excess fluid and substances from the bloodstream.

Question 46

How does the urinary system maintain balance in the body?

Answer 46

It regulates water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.

Question 47

What structures are included in the reproductive system?

Answer 47

Uterus, penis, ovaries, and testes.

Question 48

What is the primary function of the reproductive system?

Answer 48

It produces sperm and oocytes.

Question 49

What other role does the reproductive system play?

Answer 49

It produces sex hormones.

Question 50

What structures are included in the digestive system?

Answer 50

Mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus.

Question 51

What is the function of the digestive system?

Answer 51

It digests and absorbs nutrients from food.

Question 52

How does the digestive system eliminate waste?

Answer 52

It removes undigested food.

Question 53

What is a cell?

Answer 53

The cell is the basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms.

Question 54

Why are cells important?

Answer 54

They are the smallest unit of life that can replicate independently, often called the building blocks of life.

Question 55

What is differentiation?

Answer 55

It is the process by which cells develop specialised structures and functions.

Question 56

Approximately how many types of cells are in the human body?

Answer 56

About 200 different types.

Question 57

How do cell sizes vary?

Answer 57

They can range from 2 nanometres to over a metre long (e.g., neurons).

Question 58

How does cell shape relate to function?

Answer 58

Fat cells (spherical) – ideal for storing nutrients. Red blood cells (disk-shaped) – efficient for oxygen transport. Neurons (branching with long axons) – ideal for transmitting information. Epithelial cells (cuboidal) – provide a protective barrier.

Question 59

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Answer 59

It acts as a ‘gatekeeper,’ controlling what enters and exits the cell.

Question 60

How do specialisations contribute to cell function?

Answer 60

They allow cells to perform specific roles, such as muscle contraction or oxygen transport.

Question 61

How do cells communicate with each other?

Answer 61

Special membrane junctions allow them to send signals and form communities.