1. What is Life? The Human Body Flashcards
What is Anatomy?
The branch of science that deals with the study of structures within the body and their physical relationships
e.g structure of heart: made up of four chambers
What are the levels of anatomy?
Gross Anatomy
Surface Anatomy
Microscopic Anatomy
Developmental Anatomy
What is gross anatomy?
Gross anatomy refers to structures that can be examined without needing specialised equipment, such as a microscope, and can be seen with the naked eye.
includes systemic and regional types of examinations.
Systemic: studying the body by system
Regional: studying the body area by area
What is surface anatomy?
Refers to the study of the external body and its relationship to deeper structures.
What is microscopic anatomy?
The study of structures with the aid of a microscope. includes two types of study
histology: study of tissues
cytology: study of cells
what is developmental anatomy?
the study of structural changes occurring within the body that happen throughout the lifespan. majority of the development happens during fetal stages.
developmental anatomy refers to changes between fertilisation and death.
What is physiology?
A branch of science that focuses on the function of organisms and their parts.
how the parts/ structures function in an organism
What are the levels of physiology?
Molecular: study of processes & interactions within a cell (proteins and how they form channels in cell membrane)
Cellular: examines the process occurring inside cells (how cells form energy via food)
Systemic: study of functions of organ systems (neurophysiologist studying function of nervous system)
What are the levels of organisation?
Chemical level
Cellular level
Tissue level
Organ level
Organ system level
Organism level
What is the chemical level of organisation?
How atoms interact and combine into molecules (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
What is the cellular level of organisation?
How molecules from chemical level interact and combine to form organelles. (nucleus, mitochondria)
What is the tissue level in the levels of organisation?
similar cell types, surrounding materials and tissue joining together to form a tissue type. (smooth muscle cells joining to form smooth muscle)
What is the organ level in the levels of organisation?
Two or more tissue types forming an organ that performs one or more functions (bladder)
what is the organ system level in the levels of organisation?
a group of organs performing a common function. this makes up an organ system. (urinary system)
What is the organism level in the levels of organisation?
Anything living considered as a whole. the final level
What are the characteristics of an organism?
Organisation
Metabolism
Responsiveness
Growth
Development
Reproduction
What is organisation (characteristics of organism)?
specific relationships/interactions among parts of an organism —> how they perform functions
What is metabolism (characteristics of organisation)?
The ability to use energy and perform vital functions
What is responsiveness (characteristics of organism)?
The ability to sense and adjust to environmental changes
What is growth (characteristics of organism)
An increase in size or number of cells - overall enlargement of the organism
What is development (characteristics of organism)?
the changes an organism goes through in their lifetime
What is reproduction (characteristics of organism)?
the formation of new cells and new organisms. all living things pass on their genes to the offspring
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a relatively constant environment inside the body
What are homeostatic mechanisms
Systems that maintain conditions near a set point
sweating or shivering to regulate body temperature
Explain normal range and negative feedback for homeostasis
Normal range refers to slight fluctuations above or below the set point
Negative feedback refers to mechanisms that return variables to the normal range.
- e.g. when body temp rises, sweat glands produce sweat to cool the body.
Types of homeostatic changes
Minor: Temporary adjustments (blood glucose levels when hungry or full)
Major: Require time or medical intervention (major blood loss requires medical attention)
Types of homeostatic changes
Minor: Temporary adjustments (blood glucose levels when hungry or full)
Major: Require time or medical intervention (major blood loss requires medical attention)
