1. Cytology, Basic Genetics & Histology Flashcards
Anatomy
Study of structures that form the body
Physiology
How parts of the body works
Pathology
Study of abnormalities from normal function
Characteristics of life
- Metabolism
- Responsiveness
- Movement
- Reproduction
- Growth
- Differentiation
- Vital force / life force / Qi
Define the characteristics of life
- Metabolism: sum of all chemical processes in the body
- Responsiveness: ability to respond to changes in the environment
- Movement: movement in the whole organism or of individual organs, cells and structures inside cells.
- Reproduction: formation of new cells/production of a new individual
- Growth: increase in size or numbers
- Differentiation: development to a specialised state
- Vital force / life force / Qi: energy that flows throughout
Characteristics of death
- Loss of heartbeat
- Absence of breathing
- Loss of brain function
- No vital force / life force / Qi
Homeostasis
The condition of equilibrium/balance in the body’s internal environment maintained by the body’s own regulatory processes.
It’s dynamic and ever changing, whilst always remaining within certain limits to ensure optimal functioning.
What are the variables that must be kept within narrow parameters for homeostasis?
- Core temperature (36.5 - 37.5°C)
- Water & electrolyte concentrations
- pH of bodily fluids
- Blood glucose levels
- Blood & tissues o2/co2 levels
- blood pressure
- flow of life force
Name the homeostatic control systems
- Disruptors
- Detectors
- Control centre
- Effector
Explain the homeostatic control systems
- Disruptors: Change homeostatic parameters
- Detectors: Receptors that detect disruption (often nerves)
- Control centre: Determines limits within which parameters should be maintained - evaluates input, generates output
- Effector: Structures that receive output
Name the 2 feedback systems
Positive & negative
Negative feedback
The output reverses the input
The effector response decreases the effect of the original stimulus
Positive feedback
Strengthens change in one of the body’s controlled conditions
Negative feedback examples
Increasing or decreases…
- Body temperature
- Blood glucose
- Blood pressure
Positive feedback examples
- Childbirth
- Milk production
- Enzyme reactions
- Immunity
- Blood clotting
Body fluids are either…
- Intracellular (inside cell)
- Extracellular (outside cell)
Interstitial fluid
Fluid that surrounds the cells and bathes them
Plasma/intravascular fluid
Fluid within the blood
Name the body organisation
- Atoms & molecules
- Cells
- Tissues
- Organs
- Systems
- The organism
- Vital force / life force / Qi
Explain each body organisation
- Atoms & molecules: Chemical level
- Cells: The smallest living unit in the body
- Tissues: Groups of cells that work together to perform a function
- Organs: Groups of tissues working together
- Systems: Related organs that have a common function
- The organism: All body parts together
- Vital force / life force / Qi: The energy that creates life
What are the systems of the human body?
- Skeletal
- Muscular
- Respiratory
- Cardiovascular
- Digestive
- Endocrine
- Lymphatic
- Integumentary
- Urinary
- Reproductive
- Nervous
- Immune
Body cavities
- Cranial
- Thoracic
- Abdominal
- Pelvic
In terms of body cavities, what does the presence of the diaphragm do?
It’s presence differentiates the thoracic cavity (above it) from the abdominal cavity (below it)
The cell theory
- All known living things are made up of cells & vital force
- The cell is the structural & functional unit of all living things
- All cells come from pre-existing cells from division
- Cells contain hereditary information in the form of DNA (passed from cell to cell)
- All energy flow of life (metabolism & life force) occurs within cells
Cell memory
Cell memory describes the ability of cells to remember experiences which influence vital force in our cells & body
Traumatic experiences & even negative beliefs may be stored as a negative charge of energy in cells
Vital force is free flowing through the body in a healthy person but can become blocked creating the possibility for disease.
Disease
A disruption of body physiology can cause disease
Cells are interconnected, when this is disrupted, diseases manifest in these organs
Oxidative damage
Occurs due to toxins, stress, smoking, diets rich in refined sugar & processed foods
Oxidative damage influences key cell structures & even causes genetic mutations - this occurs during the development of cancer
Free radicals
They cause oxidative damage
Unstable & highly reactive molecules, looking for a spare electron and will rob other to get it
Missing electrons can be donated by an antioxidant
Antioxidants
Neutralises free radicals
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Beta-Carotene
- Vitamin A
Prokaryotic cells
No nucleus & no membrane bound organelles
Far smaller (very few structures)
Has a cell wall
Prokaryotic cells include: bacteria
Cell division through binary fission (rapid mitosis)
Eukaryotic cells
Contains a nucleus & membrane bound organelles
Bigger
No cell wall in humans, online in plants & fungi
Eukaryotic cells include:human/animal, plants & fungi
Cell division through mitosis
Cell wall function
Provides strength & rigidity to cells and surround the cell membrane
Cytosol
Basic watery fluid inside a cell
What are organelles
Small specialised structures within the cell, e.g. ribosomes produce proteins
Cytoplasm
Cell content excluding the nucleus (includes the cytosol & organelles)
Cell membrane
Flexible, semi-permeable membrane that separates the cells external and internal environment
Structurally it is a phospholipid bilayer
The membrane is embedded with transmembrane proteins & other fats e.g. cholesterol
The membrane controls substance movement in and out of cells
phospholipid bilayer
The ‘hydrophobic’ lipid tails face inwards whilst the ‘hydrophobic’ phosphate heads face outwards