Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards
Science
Method of observing and measuring natural phenomenon in order to explain them
Anatomy
Study of structure of human body
Physiology
Study of body’s functions
Properties of living organisms
- Cellular composition
- Metabolism
- Growth
- Excretion
- Responsiveness
- Movement
- Reproduction
Cellular composition
- Cells are the basic units of life
- Smallest unit that can carry out functions of life
- All organisms are composed of cells
Metabolism
- The collective chemical reactions in an organism
- Metabolic either build up (anabolic) or break down (catabolic) substances
Chemical
- Substances with unique molecular composition
- Used in or produced by chemical reactions
Growth
- Building outweighs breaking down processes
- Can either increase size or number of individual cells
Excretion
Elimination of potentially harmful waste products created by metabolic processes
Responsiveness
Sensing and reacting to changes or stimuli in the environment
Movement
Movement can occur in:
- Entire organism
- Individual cells within organism
- Materials within or between cells of organism
Reproduction
- Individuals cells reproduce during growth and replace damaged or old cells
- Organism yields offspring
Levels of structural organization and body systems
Chemical level –> Cellular level –> Tissue level –> Organ level –> Organ system level –> Organism level
Chemical Level
Interaction of atoms
Subatomic Level
Protons, neutrons, electrons
Atomic Level
Elements
Organelle
Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell
Cell
Functional unit of life
Tissue Level
Group of similar cells and the materials surrounding them
Organ Level
One or more tissues functioning together
Organ System Level
Group of organs functioning together
Organism Level
Any living thing
How many organ systems are there?
11
List the organ systems
- Integumentary system
- Skeletal system
- Muscular system
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system
- Respiratory system
- Urinary system
- Digestive system
- Reproductive system (male and female)
Integumentary system
- Protects the body from the environment
- Produces vitamin D
- Retains water
- Regulates body temperature
Skeletal system
- Supports the body
- Protects internal organs
- Provides leverage for movement
- Produces blood cells
- Stores calcium salts
Muscular system
- Produces movement
- Controls body openings
- Generates heat
Nervous system
- Regulates body functions
- Provides for sensation, movement functions, and high mental functions, nerve impulses
Endocrine system
- Regulates body functions
- Regulates the functions of muscles, glands, and other tissues through the secretion of chemicals called hormones
Cardiovascular system
- Pumps and delivers oxygen-rich blood to the tissues
- Removes waste from the tissues
- Transports cells, nutrients, and other substances
Lymphatic system
- Returns excess tissue fluid to the cardiovascular system
- Provides immunity
Respiratory system
- Delivers oxygen to the blood
- Removes carbon dioxide from the body
- Maintains the acid-base balance of the blood
Urinary system
- Removes metabolic wastes from the blood
- Maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
- Stimulates blood cell production
Digestive system
- Digests food
- Absorbs nutrients into the blood
- Removes foot waste
- Maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
Reproductive system (male and female)
- Secretes hormones
- Sexual function
Anatomical Position
- Body standing upright
- Feet shoulder width apart
- Upper limbs at sides of trunk and head and palms facing forward
Popliteal
Back of knee
Pedal
Foot
Buccal
Cheek
Otic
Ear
Pollex
Thumb
Hallux
Big toe
Planes of section through an organ
- Longitudinal
- Cross/transverse
- Oblique
Longitudinal section through an organ
Cut along the length of an organ
Cross/transverse section through an organ
Cut at right angle to length of the organ
Oblique section through an organ
Cut at any but a right angle
Cavity
Any fluid-filled space within the body
Function of body cavities
Protect internal organs and allow them to move and expand as necessary to perform functions
Major body cavities
- Dorsal
- Ventral
Subdivisions of dorsal body cavity
- Cranial cavity
- Vertebral (spinal cavity)
- Subdivisions are continuous
- Filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Bathes and protects brain and spinal cord
Cranial Cavity
- Within the skull
- Protects the brain
Vertebral Cavity
- Within the vertebral column
- Protects the spinal cord
Subdivisions of Ventral Body Cavity
- Thoracic cavity
- Abdominopelvic cavity
- Separated by diaphragm
Thoracic Cavity
Superior to diaphragm
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Inferior to diaphragm
Divisions of Thoracic Cavity
- Pleural cavities
- Mediastinum
- Pericardial cavity
Pleural cavities
Surrounds either the left or right lung
Mediastinum
- Between pleural cavities
- Houses heart, great vessels, trachea, and esophagus
- Not within the serous membrane
Pericardial cavity
- Within mediastinum
- Within serous membrane that surrounds heart
Divisions of Abdominopelvic cavity
- Abdominal cavity
- Pelvic cavity
- Contains organs from several systems (digestive, lymphatic, reproductive, and urinary)
Abdominal Cavity
Diaphragm to bony pelvis
Peritoneal Cavity
Abdominal subcavity found within serous membrane
Pelvic Cavity
Within bony pelvis
Quadrants of the Abdominopelvic cavity
- Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
- Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
- Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
- Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
Segments of the Abdominopelvic Cavity
- Right hypochondriac region
- Epigastric region
- Left hypochondriac region
- Right lumbar region
- Umbilical region
- Left lumbar region
- Right iliac region
- Hypogastric region
- Left iliac region
Serous membrane
- Thin sheets of tissue
- Form cavities in ventral cavity
- Surrounds heart, lungs, and many abdominal organs
Visceral layer
In contact with underlying organ
Parietal layer
Outermost layer attached to surrounding structures
Serous fluid
- Fluid found within cavity between two membrane layers
- Extremely thin layer of fluid
Characteristics of serous fluid
- Watery, slippery lubricant
- Fills space between membrane layers
- Produced by cells of membrane
- Prevents friction from movement of organs
Pleural membranes
- Consists of outer parietal pleura (follows contours of thoracic wall) and inner visceral pleura (runs along surface of lungs)
Pleural cavities
Thin space enclosed by pleural membranes
Peritoneal membranes
- Surrounds SOME abdominal organs
- Consists of outer parietal peritoneum and inner visceral peritoneum
- Kidneys lie outside of and behind parietal peritoneum (retroperitoneal organs)
Peritoneal cavity
Space between layers
X-ray
Ionizing radiation
Computed tomography scan (CT)
- Ionizing radiation
- 3D image is computer generated from data
Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)
Used in blood vessel studies
Ultrasound
Computer-analyzed sound waves bounced off a structure in the body
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Body is placed within a magnetic field
- Computer compiles data producing 3D image
What is the goal of physiological processes?
Maintain homeostasis
Homeostasis
Maintenance of internal environment
Homeostatic imbalances
- Disturbances in homeostasis can lead to disease or death if uncorrected
- To prevent imbalance, most variables are controlled, maintained within a narrow range, close to a normal value
Feedback mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis
- Negative feedback loop
- Positive feedback loop
Negative feedback loop
- Brings stimulus back to normal range
- Opposes initial change
- Reduce output to get back within normal range
Positive feedback loop
- Adds to initial change in regulated variable
- Increases output
- Dangerous if not stopped
Examples of positive feedback
- Blood clotting: platelets attract and activate more platelets, continues until vessel is sealed by blood clot and blood loss stops
- Childbirth: baby’s head stretches cervix –> data sent to brain –> signals uterus to produce oxytocin –> stimulates uterine contractions –> contractions move baby’s head further stretching the cervix –> process repeats until baby is born
