Chapter 1: Introduction to Physiology Flashcards
What is the study of phsyiology?
The study of the normal functions of living organisms and its component parts which includes the chemical and physical processes
What kind of science is physiology and why?
Physiology is an integrative science because it includes body functions over all the levels of organization as well as the fields of study that overlap with these levels of organizations
What are emergent properties? Give an example.
Emergent properties are properties that’s function cannot be predicted with just the individual parts/components. For example, human emotion and intelligence cannot be predicted by knowing everything about nerve cells. Same goes for a car and its parts, you cannot predict that a pile of metal, nuts and bolts, and chips, could come together to make a vehicle that can convert gasoline to energy and fuel.
What was the Human Genome Project?
Scientists thought that by coding the entire genome of a human, they would know everything there is to know about the body and functions. They thought that one gene coded for one protein, but it turned out that one gene actually coded for many proteins. The project was abandoned in 2003.
To understand physiology, you also need to have an understanding of?
Physiology cannot exist without anatomy. The structures of cells/tissues/organs need a physical body for its functions.
What are the levels of organization from basic to complex?
Atom - Molecules - Cells - Tissues - Organs - Organ Systems - Organisms - Populations of one species - Ecosystems of different species - Biosphere
How many organ systems are there and what are they?
There are 10 organ systems in the human body:
- Integumentary system
- Musculoskeletal system
- Respiratory (pulmonary) system
- Digestive (gastrointestinal) system
- Urinary (renal) system
- Reproductive system
- Circulatory (cardiovascular system)
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Immune system
What is the function of a physiological system or event? What kind of approach is this considered?
The function is the “why” of a system/event, asking about the adaptive significance of a system/event is taking a teleological approach.
What is the mechanism of a physiological system or event? What kind of approach is this considered?
The mechanism is the “how” of a system/event, asking about the process of a system/event is taking a mechanistic approach.
What is translational research?
Translational research is when you use the results from basic biomedical research to help develop treatment for humans.
What are the five major themes of physiology?
- Structure and function
- Energy transfer, use, and storage
- Information flow, storage, and use
- Homeostasis
- Evolution
What is homeostasis?
The way that organisms keep their internal environment stable by monitoring the body and taking corrective actions when the levels are disrupted.
Who came up with the concept of homeostasis?
French physician Claude Bernard in the mid 1800s
What are the two types of variables that are under homeostatic control?
- Environmental factors that affect the cell such as temperature, pH, and osmolarity
- Materials for cell needs such as nutrients, water, etc
What happens if the body fails to maintain homeostasis?
The body will enter a disease state and develop a pathological condition.
What are the two general groups of diseases and how are they caterogrized?
They are categorized through their origin, and the two groups are:
- caused by internal failure
- caused by an originate source
What is the extracellular fluid?
The extracellular fluid is the buffer between cells and the outside world.
What is the intracellular fluid?
The intracellular fluid is the fluid that is located inside of the cells.
To maintain homeostasis, what must the body do?
The body must maintain mass balance.
What does the law of mass balance state?
The law of mass balance states that for the amount of substances in the body to be constant, there should be an equal loss for every gain.
