Chapter 1

Question 1

Define physiology.

Answer 1

the study of the normal functioning of a living organism and its component parts

Question 2

List the levels of organization from atoms through organism.

Answer 2

Atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms

Question 3

What is the teleological explanation?

Answer 3

function explains the “why”

Question 4

what is the mechanistic explanations?

Answer 4

process describes the the “how”

Question 5

What are the 4 major themes in physiology?

Answer 5

1) structure + function are closely related
2) living organisms need energy
3) information flow coordinates body functions
4) homeostasis maintains internal stability

Question 6

Define homeostasis.

Answer 6

maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite changes in the internal and/or external environment

Question 7

What happens when homeostasis fails?

Answer 7

disease, infection, or death

Question 8

What are the 2 major compartments of the human body?

Answer 8

extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF)

Question 9

What major compartment is higher in Na+?

Answer 9

ECF

Question 10

what major compartment of the human body is higher in K+?

Answer 10

ICF

Question 11

Describe ECF

Answer 11

the watery internal environment that surrounds (and serves as a buffer zone) the cells

Question 12

Describe ICF

Answer 12

fluid within cells

Question 13

Explain the law of mass balance.

Answer 13

(in an open system) requires input to equal output

Question 14

Explain how the law of mass balance applies to the body’s load of a substance.

Answer 14

mass balance = (existing body load) + (intake or metabolic production) - (excretion or metabolic removal)

Question 15

Distinguish between equilibrium and steady state.

Answer 15

• Dynamic steady state: materials are constantly moving between 2 compartments
• equilibrium: implies composition of compartments are identical

Question 16

List the 3 components of a control system.

Answer 16

1) input signal
2) integrating center
3) output signal

Question 17

Compare local control, long-distance control + reflex control.

Answer 17

• local control: restricted to a tissue or cell
• reflex/long-distance control: always uses nervous and/or endocrine systems to control long distance signaling

Question 18

Explain the relationship between a regulated variable and its set-point.

Answer 18

A variable is regulated by the response loop which controls the function + activates when the function moves outside the set-point (normal value)

Question 19

Compare negative feedback, positive feedback, and feedforward control.

Answer 19

• negative: tries to return to homeostasis; tries to reduce/eliminate original stimulus
• positive: does not try to return to homeostasis
• feedforward: allows the body to anticipate change

Question 20

Explain what happens to set-points in biological rhythms.

Answer 20

regulated variables create repeating patterns/cycles

Question 21

What is an example of biological rhythms?

Answer 21

• daily circadian rhythm

Question 22

List the 7 steps of a reflex.

Answer 22

1) stimulus
2) sensor
3) input signal
4) integrating center
5) output signal
6) target
7) response