Ch.1 The Human Body An Orientation Flashcards
What is anatomy?
The study of body structures and their relationships.
What are the main subdivisions of gross anatomy?
Regional, systemic, and surface anatomy.
What is physiology?
The study of body functions.
Name the levels of structural organization from simplest to most complex.
Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal.
What are organ systems?
Groups of organs working together to perform vital functions.
List four necessary life functions.
Maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, and digestion.
What is metabolism?
All chemical reactions in body cells, including catabolism and anabolism.
What are the five survival needs?
Nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, appropriate atmospheric pressure.
Why is water vital for survival?
It’s the most abundant chemical in the body and the site of chemical reactions.
What is homeostasis?
The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.
What are the three components of a control system?
Receptor (sensor), control center, and effector.
Define negative feedback.
A mechanism that reverses a deviation from the set point.
Give an example of a positive feedback mechanism.
Enhancement of labor contractions by oxytocin release.
What does pathological anatomy study?
Structural changes caused by disease.
What is radiographic anatomy?
Visualization of internal structures using X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans.
What are the two subdivisions of microscopic anatomy?
Cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues).
What is embryology?
Study of developmental changes before birth.
What is surface anatomy?
The study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin.
What is systemic anatomy?
The study of body parts grouped by systems.
What is responsiveness in the context of necessary life functions?
The ability to sense and respond to changes in the environment.
Why is excretion important for survival?
It removes wastes from metabolism and digestion, such as urea, CO₂, and feces.
Why is normal body temperature crucial?
It affects the rate of chemical reactions in the body.
What is the role of oxygen in the body?
It’s essential for ATP (energy) production.
How do negative feedback systems maintain homeostasis?
By reversing deviations to return to the set point, such as body temperature regulation.
