An Introduction to Physiology Flashcards
Which level of organization is composed of two or more different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function?
An organ (the organ level) is composed of two or more different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function.
What is the difference between interstitial fluid and plasma?
Interstitial fluid is the fluid between cells; plasma is the fluid portion of blood.
How does a nutrient in the external environment reach a body cell?
A nutrient moves from the external environment into plasma via the digestive system, then into the interstitial fluid, and then to a body cell.
hat is the main difference between negative and positive feedback systems?
In negative feedback systems, the response reverses the original
stimulus, but in positive feedback systems, the response enhances the
original stimulus
What would happen to heart rate if some stimulus
caused blood pressure to decrease? Would this occur by way of positive feedback or negative feedback?
When something causes blood pressure to decrease, heart rate increases because of operation of this negative feedback system.
Why do positive feedback systems that are part of a
normal physiological response include some mechanism that terminates the system?
Because positive feedback systems continually intensify or reinforce the original stimulus, some mechanism is needed to end the response.
Which subdiscipline of physiology would most likely
explore how the kidneys and lungs work together to
maintain the acid–base balance of your body fluids?
(Hint: Refer to TABLE 1.1).
(a) Respiratory physiology; (b) Structures involved would be airways including the trachea and bronchial tubes, alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs
Define the following terms: atom, molecule, cell, tissue,
organ, system, and organism.
There are a variety of examples that could be given here. Walls of air sacs are thin to allow for gas exchange; Cells composing the tissue of the outer skin are densely packed to function as a primary barrier against harmful agents and composed of multiple layers to allow for repeated loss and replacement of skin.
. Refer to TABLE 1.2. Which body systems help eliminate
wastes?
Q
What is an emergent property?
Q
The formation of a muscle cell from a precursor cell is an example of which of the six life processes in the human body?
Q
Why is extracellular fluid called the internal environment of
the body?
Q
What types of disturbances can act as stimuli that initiate a
feedback system?
Q
How are negative and positive feedback systems similar? How are they different?
Q
What is the significance of feedforward control?
Q
