1. CYTOLOGY, GENETICS AND HISTOLOGY Flashcards
The characteristics of life. Different types of cells, organelles and tissues in the human body. DNA, RNA, gene structure, function and inheritance. Homeostasis, positive and negative feedback systems , movement of substances and protein synthesis.
Histology
study of tissues
Endocrine
Hormones
integumentary
skin
Cytology
The study of cells
Define ‘Homeostasis’
Homeostasis is the dynamic and ever-changing condition of equilibrium (balance) in the body’s internal environment maintained by the body’s own regulatory processes. It is a fundamental principle of physiology.
Differentiate the following terms by defining each:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathology
Anatomy is the study of structures that form the body.
Physiology is how the parts of the body work.
Pathology is the study of abnormalities from normal function.
Name the 7 characteristics of ‘Life’
Metabolism - sum of all chemical processes
Responsiveness - ability to respond to changes in environment.
Movement - cells, organs and whole organism
Reproduction - formation of new cells / organism
Growth - increase in size/number
Differentiation - development to specialised state
Vital Force/Qi - energy of life
Name four characteristics of ‘Death’
Loss of heartbeat.
Absence of breathing.
Loss of brain function.
No vital force/life force/Qi.
Name the 7 physiological variables that must be kept within narrow parameters to enable homeostasis in the body
- Core temperature (36.5 - 37.5 degrees C)
- Water and electrolyte balance
- pH of body fluids
- Blood glucose levels (4-7mmol/L)
- Blood and tissues Oxygen/CO2 levels
- Blood pressure
- Flow of life force
Blood plasma, synovial fluid, lymph fluid and interstitial fluid are all examples of _____________ fluids
extracellular
Name the four body cavities
Cranial
Thoracic
Abdominal
Pelvic
When does disease happen
when the flow of energy between interconnected cells is interrupted
Homeostasis is constantly being disturbed by external and internal factors and so requires control systems to bring it back into balance.
These control systems are made up of:
- Disruptors: Change homeostatic parameter.
- Detectors: Receptors that detect disruption (often nerves).
- Control centre: Determines limits within which parameters
should be maintained. Evaluates input and generates output. - Effectors: Structures that receive output.
Name four things that can cause oxidative damage in the body
Stress, smoking, toxins, diet high in refined foods and sugar
Define a negative feedback system and give one example
A negative feedback system is one where the output (from the effectors) reverses the input (detected by the receptors).
Examples are increasing or decreasing body temperature, blood glucose, blood pressure.
Systems of the Human Body
- Skeletal system.
- Muscular system.
- Respiratory system.
- Cardiovascular system.
- Digestive system.
- Endocrine system.
- Lymphatic system.
- Integumentary system.
- Urinary system.
- Reproductive system.
- Nervous system.
- Immune system.
Body Organisation:
- Atoms and molecules: Chemical level.
- Cells: The smallest living units 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: The energy that creates life.
A gene is
a sub section of DNA
All known living things are made up of cells and Vital Force.
Cells are:
- The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living things.
- All cells come from pre-existing cells by ‘division’.
- Cells contain hereditary information in the form of DNA, which is passed from cell to cell during cell division.
- All energy flow of life (metabolism and Life Force) occurs within cells.
A positive feedback system strengthens/enhances change in one of the body’s controlled conditions, and is much rarer than negative feedback systems. Give three examples of positive feedback systems.
Blood clotting Childbirth Milk production Enzyme reactions Immunity
What are free radicals and how can they be countered in the body?
Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules. They lack an electron in their atomic structure, which can be donated by antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene (Vitamin A precursor), quercetin and lycopene.
As well as in the brain memory can be stored in?
Cells. (people who have organ transplants can gain new personality traits and memories)
What are the main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
Prokaryotic cells contain no nucleus and no membrane bound internal structures, while eukaryotic cells have both.
True or false:
Only prokaryotic cells have cell walls.
False: Plants and fungi are eukaryotes and their cells have cell walls.
Differentiate between ’cytosol’ and ‘cytoplasm’ by defining them.
Cytosol is the basic watery fluid inside a cell. Cytoplasm is the cell content excluding the nucleus (cytosol + organelles)
The cell membrane is a ________, semi-_________ membrane that separates the cell’s ________ and internal environment.
Flexible
Permeable
External
Briefly describe the structure of the cell membrane
The cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer, these being arranged with the hydrophilic phosphate heads towards the outsides and the hydrophobic lipid tails on the inside.
Cell membranes are embedded with _____________ proteins and controls substance ________ in and out of cells.
Transmembrane
Movement
What are the functions of transmembrane proteins?
- Transport of substances in/out of cells (e.g. charged particles like hydrogen and larger molecules like glucose)
- Immunological identity: helps immune cells recognise our own cells
- Receptors: recognition sites for hormones etc.
Name two places in the body where tight cell junctions can be found
Stomach
Intestines
Bladder
Name five of the key organelles found in body cells
Nucleus (with nucleolus) Mitochondria Ribosomes Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus Lysosomes Cytoskeleton
All body cells have a nucleus with the exception of _____________________.
Red blood cells