Chapter 1 An Introduction to the Human Body Flashcards
What is physiology?
The study of function at many levels
-subdivisions are based on organ systems
(EX: renal or cardiovascular physiology)
What are the essential tools for the study of physiology?
-Ability to focus at many levels (systemic to cellular and molecular)
-Basic physical principals
(EX: electrical currents, pressure, and movement)
-Basic chemical principles
What are the levels of structural organization?
(HINT: C.C.T.O.O.O)
-Chemical: atoms and molecules
-Cellular: cells and their organelles
-Tissue: groups of similar cells
-Organ: contains two or more types of tissues
-Organ system: organs that work closely together
-Organismal: all organ systems
Describe the integumentary system
-Encloses internal body structures
-Site of many sensory receptors
Describe the skeletal system
-Supports the body
-Enables movement (with muscular system)
Describe the muscular system
-Enables movement (with skeletal system)
-Helps maintain body temperature
Describe the nervous system
-Detects and processes sensory information
-Activates bodily responses
Describe the endocrine system
-Secretes hormones
-Regulates bodily processes
Describe the cardiovascular system
-Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues
-Equalizes temperature in the body
Describe the lymphatic system
-Returns fluid to blood
-Defends against pathogens
Describe the respiratory system
-Removes carbon dioxide from the body
-Delivers oxygen to blood
Describe the digestive system
-Processes food for use by the body
-Removes wastes from undigested food
Describe the urinary system
-Controls water balance in the body
-Removes wastes from blood and excretes them
Describe the male reproductive system
-Produces sex hormones and gametes
-Delivers gametes to female
Describe the female reproductive system
-Produces sex hormones and gametes
-Supports embryo/ fetus until birth
-Produces milk for infant
Name the 11 organ systems
(HINT: I.S.M.N.E.C.L.R.D.U.R)
-Integumentary
-Skeletal
-Muscular
-Nervous
-Endocrine
-Cardiovascular
-Lymphatic
-Respiratory
-Digestive
-Urinary
-Reproductive
What are the functions of human life-metabolism
-ANABOLISM: the process whereby smaller, simpler molecules are combined into smaller, more complex substances
-CATABOLISM: the process by which larger more complex substances are broken down into smaller simpler molecules. (catabolism releases energy)
What is responsiveness
The ability of an organism to adjust to changes in its internal and external environments
What are the 5 requirements for human life
1.NUTRIENTS
-chemicals for energy and cell building
-carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins
2.OXYGEN
-essential for energy release (ATP production)
3.WATER
-most abundant chemical in the body
-site of chemical reactions
4.NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE
-affects rate of chemical reactions
5.APPROPRIATE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
-for adequate breathing and gas exchange in the lungs
What is homeostasis
-Maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite continuous outside changes
-A dynamic state of equilibrium
What are homeostatic control mechanisms
-involve continuous monitoring and regulation of many factors (variables)
-nervous and endocrine systems accomplish the communication via nerve impulses and hormones
What happens if there is a disturbance of homeostasis
-increase risk of disease
-contributes to changes associated with aging
-may allow destructive positive feedback mechanisms to take over (EX: heart failure)
What are the 3 basic components in a negative feedback system
- A SENSOR/RECEPTOR: monitors a physiological value
- The CONTROL CENTER: compares the value to the normal range
- The EFFECTOR: causes change to reverse the situation and return the value to the normal range
Describe positive feedback
-intensifies a change in the body’s physiological
-a deviation from the normal range results in more change, and the system moves farther away from the normal range
-normal only when there is a definite end point
-childbirth and the body’s response to blood loss are two examples of positive feedback loops that are normal but are activated only when needed
