Chapter 1: Intro to A&P Flashcards
Anatomy
Study of body structure
Gross Anatomy
Examination of relatively large structures and features usually visible with the unaided eye
Microscopic Anatomy
Structures that cannot be seen without magnification
Homeostasis
Maintaining a constant and stable environment
Responsiveness
Indicates that the organism recognizes changes in its internal environment
Adaptability
Changes the organism’s behavior, capabilities, or structure
Growth and Reproduction
Indicates that the organism is successful; growth must occur before reproduction
Movement
Distributes materials throughout large organisms; changes orientation or position of a plant or immobile animal; moves mobile animals around the environment (locomotion)
Respiration
Usually refers to the absorption and utilization of oxygen, and the generation and release of carbon dioxide
Circulation
Movement of fluid within the organism; may involve a pump and a network of special vessels
Digestion
The chemical breakdown of complex materials for absorption and use by the organism
Excretion
The elimination of chemical waste products generated by the organism
Organism
Whole human (highest level)
Organ System
Multiple organs interacting
Organ
Two or more tissues working together
Tissue
Group of cells working together
Cell
Smallest living unit
Depends on organelles
Atoms
Smallest stable unit of matter
form molecules
Smooth muscle cells
long and slender, found in many organs
Red blood cells
flattened discs, the most abundant cells in the body, transport oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream
White blood cells
roughly spherical, responsible for fighting off infection and combating disease
Bone cells
reside within small cavities inside the mass of a bone, these cells are responsible for the maintenance of the bone and for recycling the calcium and phosphate stored there
Fat cells
roughly spherical storage containers, used whenever we take in more energy than we expend, the excess energy obtained from the food get larger and more numerous
Cells lining the digestive tract
relatively delicate, the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and water we need are absorbed by these cells
Reproductive cells (sex cells)
Women produce relatively large oocytes in very small numbers, usually at monthly intervals; males continuously produce relatively tiny sperm in enormous numbers
Nerve cells (neurons)
Process information; thought, memory, consciousness, and muscle control are all based on the actions of, and interactions among, neurons; there are many different types and shapes of neurons
Basic principles of the cell theory
Cells are the structural building blocks of all plants and animals
Cells are produced by the divisions of pre-existing cells
Cells are the smallest structural units that perform all vital functions
Histology
Study of tissues
Epithelial tissue
Forms a barrier with specific properties; covers every exposed body surface; lines digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary tracts; surrounds internal cavities; lines inner surfaces of blood vessels and heart; produces glandular secretions
Connective tissue
Diverse in appearance but all contain cells surrounded by extracellular matrix; matrix composed of: protein fibers, ground substance (liquid); amount of matrix varies by the particular connective tissue type; fills internal spaces; provides structural support; stores energy
Muscle tissue
Has the ability to contract forcefully; major functions: skeletal movement, soft tissue support, maintenance of blood flow, movement of materials internally, stabilization of body temperature
Skeletal muscle tissue
Usually attached to the skeleton; moves or stabilizes position of skeleton or internal organs
Cardiac muscle tissue
Found only in the heart; propels blood through blood vessels
Smooth muscle tissue
Found in blood vessel walls, within glands, along respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and reproductive tracts
Neural tissue
Specialized to carry information or instructions within the body; two basic types of cells: neurons (nerve cells); two locations within the body: central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), peripheral nervous system (connecting CNS with other tissues and organs)
Integumentary system
Protection from environmental hazards; temperature control
Skeletal system
Support, protection of soft tissues; mineral storage; blood formation
Muscular system
Locomotion, support, heat protection
Nervous system
Directing immediate responses to stimuli, usually by coordinating the activities of other organ systems
Endocrine system
Directing long-term changes in the activities of other organ systems
Cardiovascular system
Internal transport of cells and dissolved materials, including nutrients, wastes, and gases
Lymphatic system
Defense against infection and disease
Respiratory system
Delivery of air to sites where gas exchange can occur between the air and circulating blood
Digestive system
Processing of food and absorption of organic nutrients, minerals, vitamins and water
Urinary system
Elimination of excess water, salts, and waste products; control of pH
Reproductive system
Production of sex cells and hormones
Homeostatic regulation
Physiological adjustment to preserve homeostasis in variable environments
Receptor (sensor)
Sensitive to environmental change
Control center (integration center)
Processes information from the receptor and sends out commands
Set point (desired value)
In the control center
Effector
Responds to commands opposing stimulus
Feedback
Receptor stimulation triggers a response that changes the environment at the receptor
Negative feedback
Effector opposes the original stimulus; minimizes change; primary mechanism of homeostatic regulation; set point may vary with changing environments or activity levels
Positive feedback
Initial stimulus produces a response that exaggerates or enhances the change in the original conditions; typically occurs when a potentially dangerous or stressful process must be completed quickly
Anterior
The front surface
Ventral
The belly side (equivalent to anterior when referring to the human body)
Posterior or Dorsal
The back surface
Cranial or Cephalic
The head
Superior
Above; at a higher level (in the human body, toward the head)
Caudal
The tail (coccyx in humans)
Inferior
Below; at a lower level
Medial
Toward the body’s longitudinal axis; toward the midsagittal plane
Lateral
Away from the body’s longitudinal axis; away from the midsagittal plane
Proximal
Toward an attached base
Distal
Away from an attached base
Superficial
At, near, or relatively close to the body surface
Deep
Farther from the body
Transverse or horizontal
Section separates superior and inferior portions of the body; a cut in this plane is called a cross section
Sagittal
Separates right and left portions; you examine a sagittal section, but you section sagittally
Midsagittal or median
The plane passes through the midline, dividing the body into right and left halves
Parasagittal
A cut parallel to the midsagittal plane, separates the body into right and left portions of unequal size
Frontal or coronal
separates anterior and posterior portions of the body
Body cavities
Two essential functions:
Protect delicate organs from shocks and impacts, permit significant changes in size and shape of internal organs
Viscera
Internal organs partially or totally enclosed by body cavities; connected to rest of body
Ventral cavity or coelom
Thoracic cavity (everything deep to the chest wall): Pleural cavities (contain lungs), Mediastinum (contains connective tissue and pericardial cavity contain the heart); Abdominopelvic cavity (everything deep to abdominal and pelvic walls): abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity (lined with peritoneum (serous membrane))
