Chapter 1- Introduction Flashcards
Anatomy
the structures of the body and their relationship to one another- physically attached or location relative to the other.
Gross (macroscopic) anatomy
the study of large body structures that we can see. Examples include the heart and the kidneys.
Regional anatomy
all structures (muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves) in a particular region of the body (abdomen, leg etc) are examined at the same time.
Systemic anatomy
body structure is studied system by system. When studying the cardiovascular system, you would look at the heart and all of the blood vessels in the body.
Surface anatomy
how internal structures relate to the overlying skin surface (can be used to locate blood vessels to feel pulses and draw blood).
Microscopic anatomy
studies smaller structures that would need to be examined with a microscope. Subdivisions include cytology and histology
Cytology
The study of cells
Histology
The study of tissues
Physiology
how body parts work or function on a normal level
Often considered at the cellular/molecular level
For example, cells might secrete substances that help with the organ’s function. The stomach secretes HCl that helps with digestion
Principle of complementarity of structure and function
What an organ can do depends on its form Hard bones (from calcium) are necessary for their function (support)
Structural organization of the body
Chemical-cellular-tissue-organ-organ system-organism
Necessary life functions (8)
- Maintaining boundaries
- Movement
- Responsiveness/excitability
- Digestion
- Metabolism
- Excretion
- Reproduction
- Growth
Maintaining boundaries- life function
On the cellular level, a boundary between organelles and the extracellular fluid is established using the plasma membrane. On the organismal level, the skin establishes a boundary between the organs of the boundary and the external environment
Movement- life function
Skeletal and muscular systems work together to coordinate actions
Can be conscious (skeletal muscle) or unconscious (smooth and cardiac muscle)
Movement also occurs when substances such as blood and food move inside the body.
Responsiveness/excitability- life function
Sensing environmental changes and respond to them, in addition to awareness of internal environment- pain, etc.
All body cells are excitable to an extent and have an electrical charge
Example- withdrawal reflex in response to painful stimuli
Which body system is most important in responding to stimuli?
Central nervous system. The cells of the nervous system are highly excitable and communicate with each other
Digestion- life function
Food is broken down into simple molecules- absorbed in blood, delivered to tissues
Metabolism- life function
Sum of all chemical reactions. Depends on the digestive and respiratory systems to make nutrients and oxygen available to the blood. The cardiovascular system will transport these throughout the body
Types of chemical reactions in the body (3)
- Catabolic
- Anabolic
- Cellular respiration
Catabolic reactions
Breaking down substances into smaller parts
Anabolic reactions
Creating larger substances
Excretion- life function
Removal of waste produced during digestive and metabolic functions- byproducts we don’t want to or can’t have in the body.
Metabolic reactions can produce chemicals that are removed in urine
Reproduction- cellular level
cells must divide for organisms to survive on individual level- cells must be replaced when they die. Cells in the stomach are frequently damaged and must be replaced.
Reproduction- organismal level
production of offspring. Must occur on the population level to prevent extinction