Chapter 1: Major Themes of Anatomy and Physiology

Question 1

Inductive Method: Francis Bacon

Answer 1

“making numerous observations until one becomes confident in drawing generalizations and predictions” (reliable observations, repeatedly confirmed)

Question 2

The Hypothetico Deductive Method

Answer 2

Most physiological knowledge comes from this method Investigator formulates a hypothesis (an educated speculation or possible answer to a question)

• Must be falsifiable.
• No absolute truth in science.

Question 3

Fact / Law / Theory

Answer 3

• Fact can be independently verified.
• Law is a generalization about the way matter and energy behave. Results from inductive reasoning and repeated observations.
• Theory is the umbrella term–an explanatory statement or set of statements derived from facts, laws, and confirmed hypotheses (e.g. Cell Theory)

Question 4

What are the characteristics of life?

Answer 4

1. Organization
2. Cellular Composition
3. Metabolism: sum of all internal chemical change (catabolism is breaking down/ digestion, anabolism is building up)
4. Responsiveness-ability to sense and react to stimuli
5. Movement
6. Homeostasis–maintaining relatively stable internal conditions (always a range)
7. Developmet-differentiation (e.g. stem cells and differentiated cells) and growth
8. Reproduction
9. Evolution (only that does not occur in a single organism)

Question 5

What is the definition of homeostasis?

Answer 5

the ability to detect change, activate mechanisms that oppose it, and thereby maintain relatively stable internal conditions

• Dynamic equilibrium: ever changing equilibrium
• Loss of homeostasis: cause of disorders and diseases (and death)

Question 6

What are the common parts of a feedback loop?

Answer 6

• Receptors
  
  • Based on stimulus modality
  • Thermoreceptor (heat), photoreceptor (eyes), chemoreceptor (chemical), mechanoreceptor (touch, strength), nonireceptor (pain receptor), baroreceptor (pressure)
• Control center
  
  • electrical signal / impulse
  • hormone
• Effector
  
  • muscle
  • gland

Question 7

What is the difference between a negative and a positive feed back loop?

Answer 7

Negative feedback is designed to reverse the direction of a problem. It uses one loop to fix a problem.

Positive feedback is very rapid (fast fix) and uses multiple loops. It is a self amplifying cycle–the change leads to more change. It can sometimes be dangerous (vicious circle of runaway fever). Examples include childbirth, bloodclotting

Question 8

What is a gradient?

Answer 8

a difference in chemical concentration, change, temperature, or pressure between 2 points

(matter and energy tend to flow down the gradient. Going against the gradient requires energy / ATP).