1.2 Principles of Physiology Flashcards
What questions does physiology as an integrating science seek to answer about a system?
how a system evolved and what survival advantages this feature provided.
__ reflects evolution, showing how developmental processes mirror evolutionary history.
In the context of physiology, the organs and systems that develop in an organism follow patterns that have been shaped by millions of years of evolution. The way these structures develop in an embryo can give clues to their evolutionary origins, showing how current physiological traits have been adapted and refined over time.
- Ontogeny
It means that physiology brings together everything known about an animal’s function to create a comprehensive picture of how the animal operates in its environment.
physiology as an integrative science
study the structure and function of various parts of animals and plants, and how these parts work together to allow organisms to perform normal behaviors and respond to their environment.
Physiologist
learn about the control and regulation of processes within groups of cells and how the combined activities of these cell groups affect the function of the animal.
design experiments
How do physiologists contribute to understanding an organism’s function?
By studying how different parts work together and designing experiments, physiologists gain insights into how organisms perform their normal behaviors and respond to their environment.
a hallmark of physiology because meeting the demands of survival has led to numerous evolutionary variations on the basic theme of life.
Diversity
What do physiological processes obey? (2)
physical and chemical laws.
How are physiological processes regulated? (2)
- maintain internal conditions
- to trigger an appropriate response.
The physiological state of an animal is part of its __, which arises from the interaction between its genetic make-up (__) and the environment.
- phenotype
- genotype
What are the subdisciplines of physiology (5)?
- Comparative Physiology
- Environmental Physiology
- Evolutionary Physiology
- Developmental Physiology
- Cell Physiology
A subdiscipline of physiology that explores how physiological processes unfold during the development of an organism from embryo through larva or fetus to adulthood.
Developmental Physiology
A subdiscipline of physiology that compares species to discern physiological and environmental patterns.
Comparative Physiology
A subdiscipline of physiology that examines organisms in the context of the environments they inhabit, focusing on evolutionary adaptations.
Environmental Physiology
A subdiscipline of physiology that uses techniques of evolutionary biology and systematics to understand the evolution of organisms from a physiological viewpoint, focusing on physiological markers rather than anatomical markers.
Evolutionary Physiology
A subdiscipline of physiology that provides vital information on the physiology of cells themselves, which can be used to understand the physiological responses of tissues, organs, and organ systems.
Cell Physiology
What are the 3 central themes in Physiology?
- Structure/Function Relationships
- Adaptation, Acclimatization, and Acclimation
- Homeostasis
- Knowledge of a __ provides insight into what it does and how it works.
- Knowing the function of a __ provides insight into its __.
- structure
- structure; construction
Give an example of how the structure-function relationship is evident in bird wings.
The aerodynamic efficiency of a bird’s wings; a honeycombed internal structure produces light but strong bones, flight muscles are controlled by neurons, and ample mitochondria provide the energy for flight.
Give an example of the structure-function relationship are evident in carnivores and ruminant herbivores.
the anatomical features of these animals are directly related to their dietary needs and feeding behaviors.
- ruminant herbivores’ complex stomach and digestive processes reflect their need to efficiently break down and absorb nutrients from plant material.
- carnivorous animals’ streamlined digestive system and specialized teeth reflect their need to process meat quickly and effectively.
Evolution through natural selection leading to an organism whose physiology, anatomy, and behavior are suited to its environment. It is generally irreversible.
Adaptation
if it is present at high frequency in the population because it results in a higher probability of survival and reproduction than alternative processes.
adaptive
How are physiological and anatomical adaptations passed on?
They are genetically based, passed on from generation to generation (DNA), and shaped and maintained by natural selection.
A physiological, biochemical, or anatomical change within an individual that results from chronic exposure to new, naturally occurring environmental conditions in its native habitat.
Acclimatization
