Basic Physiological Principles

Question 1

What is Physiology?

Answer 1

Study of function and activity of life or living matter (such as organs, tissues, or cells) and of the physical and chemical reactions involved

Question 2

outline the basic structure of the human body

Answer 2

Chemicals (molecular)
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ Systems

Question 3

describe the human body at a molecular level

Answer 3

-The human body is composed of atoms organized into molecules
-Atoms and molecules undergo chemical reactions

Question 4

describe cells

Answer 4

-Basic living units
-Smallest subdivision able to carry out all life processes
-Contain organelles
-Specialized for specific physiological roles

Question 5

define organelles

Answer 5

Structures that have specific functions

Question 6

why is specialisation important for cells?

Answer 6

it allows cells to control reactions in different ways to carry out specialist functions

Question 7

describe tissue

Answer 7

-Groups of specialised cells (cells with interconnected function)
-Interaction among cells leads to functions single cells cannot effectively do alone

Question 8

give examples of different tissues

Answer 8

-nervous tissue
-muscle tissue
-connective tissue
-epithelial tissue

Question 9

describe epithelial tissue

Answer 9

-forms body surfaces e.g. skin, oral mucosa
-secrete substances e.g. in gut
-absorb substances e.g. in respiratory system
-allow movement through cilia

Question 10

describe connective tissue

Answer 10

-very diverse
-produce extracellular matrix which provides structure
-cartilage and bone are connective tissues
-helps with signalling in body
-contains fibroblast which helps determine function of cells

Question 11

describe muscle tissue

Answer 11

-muscles contract and allow movement
-can be cardiac, smooth or skeletal
-generates tension, movement and heat

Question 12

describe nervous (neuronal) tissue

Answer 12

-controls responses of body
-made up of nerve cells which together, send signals from one part of the body to other parts
-helps maintain functions of parts of body

Question 13

describe organs

Answer 13

-structures consisting of at least two tissue types
-perform a specific function related to the whole body

Question 14

describe organ systems

Answer 14

-groups of organs performing related functions
-enable basic functions needed to maintain overall homeostasis

Question 15

name 10 major organ systems

Answer 15

-nervous
-endocrine
-respiratory
-integumentary
-urinary
-digestive
-immune
-musculoskeletal
-circulatory
-reproductive

Question 16

what is the nervous system for?

Answer 16

Communication and control

Question 17

what is the endocrine system for?

Answer 17

Communication and control

Question 18

what is the respiratory system for?

Answer 18

Gas exchange, pH balance

Question 19

what is the integumentary system for?

Answer 19

Barrier between interior of body and exterior, thermoregulation

Question 20

what is the urinary system for?

Answer 20

Waste removal, water and ion balance

Question 21

what is the digestive system for?

Answer 21

Obtain raw materials from exterior

Question 22

what is the immune system for?

Answer 22

Protect body from foreign substances, other organisms and cancer cells

Question 23

what is the musculoskeletal system for?

Answer 23

Movement, structure, support, protection, heat generation

Question 24

what is the circulatory system for?

Answer 24

Transportation of most materials throughout body

Question 25

what is the reproductive system for?

Answer 25

continuation of the species

Question 26

describe the internal environment

Answer 26

-interior of body and environment in cells -about 67% water

Question 27

why is a lot of the internal environment water?

Answer 27

-provides a liquid environment -high specific heat capacity SO doesnt change temp easily -polar solvent SO only dissolves certain substances SO body has control over components of internal environment

Question 28

what are attributes of the internal environment?

Answer 28

-nutrients -waste -O2 and CO2 -temp of 37°C -pH of 7.4 -salts -fluid volume

Question 29

what is homeostasis?

Answer 29

Maintaining a stable internal environment

Question 30

what does a sensor do?

Answer 30

monitors internal conditions, detects changes

Question 31

what does the integrating centre (controller) do?

Answer 31

changes are transmitted to controller and it integrates all info

Question 32

what does the effector do?

Answer 32

responds to changes and the activity of the effector results in return of condition to normal level

Question 33

name the 3 regulatory mechanism components

Answer 33

-sensor -intergrating center (controller) -effector

Question 34

what is feedback?

Answer 34

return of the output to the input part of a system

Question 35

what is negative feedback?

Answer 35

A response to a change in the body that counteracts or opposes the initial change - it is the most common type of feedback

Question 36

what are examples of negative feedback?

Answer 36

-insulin in blood glucose regulation -temperature regulation

Question 37

insulin in blood glucose regulation

Answer 37

Question 38

temperature regulation

Answer 38

Question 39

does homeostasis mean that conditions all remain the same?

Answer 39

no, it is a dynamic process where body is constantly trying to make the conditions return to their original levels

Question 40

what is positive feedback?

Answer 40

feedback where the change in condition leads to a response from the effector that amplifies the change

Question 41

describe childbirth as an example of positive feedback

Answer 41

when body is read to give birth: -pituitary glands release oxytocin which causes uterine contractions -this produces prostaglandins and stimulate cervical stretch -these both further stimulate the contractions which further produce prostaglandins and stimulate cervical stretch

Question 42

explain blood clotting as an example of positive feedback

Answer 42

the end point is a blood clot so positive feedback drives the process until the clot is formed

Question 43

what happens if homeostasis is not maintained?

Answer 43

diseases such as diabetes or cancer

Question 44

what is diabetes mellitus

Answer 44

Metabolic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism

Question 45

what is a characteristic of diabetes mellitus

Answer 45

Hyperglycaemia (🡹 blood glucose)

Question 46

what is the consequence of diabetes mellitus

Answer 46

High morbidity (illness) & mortality (death)

Question 47

describe diabetes as failed homeostasis

Answer 47

-feedback mechanism does not work becasue the sensor for high levels of glucose is not working or the effector (liver) does not release insulin as a response -diabetes mellitus is the metabolic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and it is characterised by hyperglycaemia

Question 48

what oral disease is due to diabetes

Answer 48

Gum diseases (periodontitis & gingivitis) very common: -Red & swollen gums -Increased bleeding while brushing -Increased plaque

Question 49

what does gum disease lead to

Answer 49

Gum disease is followed by: -tooth decay -Inflamed & sore tissues, ulcers

Question 50

describe cancer as failed homeostasis

Answer 50

-caused by mutations in DNA of malignant cells -causes changes in behaviour of cells including communications with other cells -disrupts tissue homeostasis so normal tissue structure breaks down so cancer spreads