Chapter 1 - An Introduction to A&P

Question 1

1. Identify the oldest medical science.

Answer 1

Anatomy is the oldest medical science.

Question 2

2. Why is studying human anatomy and physiology important?

Answer 2

Studying anatomy and physiology is important because understanding normal physiology assists in recognizing when something abnormal occurs within the body.

Question 3

3. Define anatomy.

Answer 3

Anatomy is the study of internal and external body structures.

Question 4

4. Define physiology.

Answer 4

Physiology is the study of how living organisms perform functions.

Question 5

5. Describe medical terminology.

Answer 5

Medical terminology is the use of prefixes, suffixes, word roots, and combining forms to construct anatomical, physiological, or medical terms.

Question 6

6. Define eponym.

Answer 6

An eponym is a commememorative name for a structure or clinical condition that was originally named for a real or mythical person.

Question 7

7. Name the book that serves as the international standard for anatomical vocabulary.

Answer 7

The book used as the international standard for anatomical vocabulary is International Anatomical Terminology (Terminologia Anatomica).

Question 8

8. Describe how anatomy and physiology are closely related.

Answer 8

Anatomy and physiology are closely related because all specific functions are performed by specific structures.

Question 9

9. What is the difference between gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy?

Answer 9

Gross anatomy (often referred to as macroscopic anatomy) involves studying body structures that can be seen with the unaided eye. Microscopic anatomy is the study of body structures using a microscope to magnify the objects.

Question 10

10. Identify several specialities of physiology.

Answer 10

Several specialities of physiology are cell physiology, organ physiology, systemic physiology, and pathological physiology.

Question 11

11. Why is it difficult to separate anatomy from physiology?

Answer 11

It is difficult to separate anatomy from physiology because the structures of body parts are so closely related to their functions; put another way, function follows form.

Question 12

12. Identify the major levels of organization of the human body from the simplest to the most complex.

Answer 12

The major levels of organization of the human body from the simplest to the most complex are the following: chemical level -> cellular level -> tissue level -> organ level -> organ system level -> organism level.

Question 13

13. Identify the organ systems of the body and cite some major structures of each.

Answer 13

Respiratory, urinary, nervous, muscular, reproductive, skeletal, lymphatic, integumentary, digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular.

Question 14

14. At which level of biological organization does a histologist investigate structures?

Answer 14

A histologist investigates structures and properties at the tissue level of organization.

Question 15

15. Define homeostasis.

Answer 15

Homeostasis refers to the existence of a stable internal environment.

Question 16

16. Which general mechanism of homeostatic regulation always involves the nervous or endocrine system?

Answer 16

Extrinsic regulation is a type of homeostatic regulation resulting from activities of the nervous system or endocrine system.

Question 17

17. Why is homeostatic regulation important to an organism?

Answer 17

Physiological systems can function normally only under carefully controlled conditions. Homeostatic regulation prevents potentially disruptive changes in the body’s internal environment.

Question 18

18. Explain the function of negative feedback systems.

Answer 18

Negative feedback systems provide long-term control over the body’s internal conditions - that is, they maintain homeostasis - by counteracting the effects of a stimulus.

Question 19

19. What happens to the body when homeostasis breaks down?

Answer 19

When homeostasis fails, organ systems function less efficiently or even malfunction. The result is the state that we call disease. If the situation is not corrected, death can result.

Question 20

20. Explain how a positive feedback system works.

Answer 20

A positive feedback system amplifies or reinforces the effects of a stimulus.

Question 21

21. Why is a positive feedback helpful in blood clotting but unsuitable for the regulation of body temperature?

Answer 21

Positive feedback is useful in processes that must be completed quickly, such as blood clotting. In contrast, it is harmful in situations in which a stable condition must be maintained, because it tends to increase any departure from the desired condition. Positive feedback in the regulation of body temperature, for example, would cause a slight fever to spiral out of control, with fatal results. For this reason, physiological systems are typically regulated by negative feedback, which tends to oppose any departure from the norm.

Question 22

22. Define equilibrium.

Answer 22

Equilibrium is a dynamic (constantly changing) state in which two opposing forces or processes are in balance.

Question 23

23. When the body continuously adapts by utilizing homeostatic systems, it is said to be in a state of _____ equilibrium.

Answer 23

When the body continuously adapts, utilizing homeostatic systems, it is said to be in a state of dynamic equilibrium.

Question 24

24. What is the purpose of anatomical terms?

Answer 24

The purpose of anatomical terms is to provide a standardized frame of reference for describing the human body.

Question 25

25. In the anatomical position, describe an anterior view and a posterior view.

Answer 25

In the anatomical position, an anterior view is seen from the front and a posterior view is from the back.

Question 26

26. Name two essential functions of the body cavities of the trunk.

Answer 26

Body cavities protect internal organs and cushion them from thumps and bumps that occur while walking, running, or jumping. Body cavities also permit the organs that they surround to change in size and shape without disrupting the activities of nearby organs.

Question 27

27. Describe the various body cavities of the trunk.

Answer 27

The thoracic cavity includes the pleural and pericardial cavities, which enclose the lungs and heart respectively. The diaphragm forms the boundary between the superior thoracic cavity and the inferior abdominopelvic cavity. The abdominopelvic cavity contains the peritoneal cavity, which contains the superior abdominal cavity and the inferior pelvic cavity.