Biology Flashcards
What is Biology?
The science of life that studies what living organisms are made of, the chemicals that created them, and the structures that support life.
What is the goal of homeostasis?
The maintenance of equilibrium around a specific value, known as the set point.
How does the body respond to changes in the environment?
Adjustments are made to keep the internal environment of the body and cells stable.
What is the biological model of health?
A model where individuals maintain themselves homeostatically by taking in what they require, making new cells and proteins, and excreting waste products.
What are tissues?
Groups of structurally and functionally similar cells.
What are the four types of tissue?
- Nervous tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Connective tissue
- Epithelial tissue
What are organs?
Specialized structures composed of tissues that carry out certain functions.
What is the role of genetics in health?
Each cell contains genetic information that provides instructions on how to make proteins essential for body functions.
What happens if a gene is defective or mutated?
It cannot build a particular protein, leading to altered tissue function and potential disease.
What is the biological model of ill health?
A state where an individual is unable to function homeostatically.
How do medical doctors diagnose ill health?
They measure physical changes in body structure or function and compare them to normal physiological values.
What is the biomedical model of health?
An approach that intervenes with chemical medications, surgery, vaccinations, etc., to correct abnormalities in homeostasis.
What are the main causes of human death?
- Traumas
- Infections
- Degenerative diseases
- Cancerous growth
What contributes to obesity from a biological perspective?
Greater amounts of food energy taken in than the body’s requirements, leading to fat storage.
List some health risks associated with obesity.
- Diabetes
- Colon and breast cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
Fill in the blank: The specific value that homeostasis aims to maintain is called the _______.
[set point]
True or False: The body can regulate temperature in response to signals from the nervous system.
True
What are enzymes?
Proteins that help convert other chemicals to useful forms for the body.
What are neurotransmitters?
Proteins that convey information in the brain and nervous system.
What do transport proteins do?
Carry insoluble material around the body, such as hemoglobin for blood.
