Chapter 1.3 Structural Organization of the body Flashcards
What are the levels of organization in the human body?
1) Atom
2) Molecule
3) Cells
4) Tissue
5) Organ
6) Organ system
7) Organism
The simplest level of organization within the body is
The chemical level, which is composed of atoms and molecules
Atoms are
The smallest units of matter
Two or more atoms combine to form
A molecule
Examples of molecules are
Protein, a water molecule, or a vitamin
Large molecules join in specific ways to form
Cells
The basic units of structure and function in organisms are
Cells
At the cellular level there are specialized
Structural and functional units called organelles which permit all living cells to share certain common functions
In the tissue level there are
Groups of similar cells with a common function
Tissues are precise
Organizations of similar cells that perform specialized functions
Name the four types of tissues
1) Epithelial tissue
2) Connective tissue
3) Muscle tissue
4) Nervous tissue
Epithelial tissue
Covers exposed surfaces and lines body cavities
Connective tissue
Protects, supports, and interconnects body parts and organs
Muscle tissue
Produces movement
Nervous tissue
Conducts impulses for internal communication
At the organ level, different tissue types combine to form what
An organ
Give an example of an organ
Small intestine, brain, lungs, stomach, or heart
Organs contain
Two or more tissue types that work together to perform specific , complex functions
What organ exhibits all four tissue types
The small intestine
The organ system level consists of
Related organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function
Give an example of organs that work together to coordinate activities and achieve a common function
Organs in the respiratory system such as the nose, pharynx, and trachea, which all collaborate to clean, warm, humidify, and conduct air from the atmosphere to the gas exchange surfaces in the lungs
Name the highest level of structural organization in the body
Organism level
In an organism
All body systems function interdependently in a single living human being
Give an example of the effect that a gene mutation may have on the body
Cystic fibrosis
When does cystic fibrosis result?
When a defective or abnormal region in a molecule of DNA affects the normal function of cells in certain body organs
Abnormal cellular function causes
A corresponding failure in the functioning of the tissues composed of these abnormal cells, resulting in aberrant activity in the organ housing these tissues
Organ failure has effects on what
On organ system activities
What is the smallest structural unit that exhibits the characteristics of living things, and this is the smallest living portion of the human body
The cell
Name the several properties that are common to all organisms, including humans
1) Organization
2) Metabolism
3) Growth and development
4) Responsiveness
5) Adaptation
6) Regulation
7) Reproduction
Describe organization
All organisms exhibit a complex structure and order. The human body has several increasingly complex levels of organization
Describe metabolism
All organisms carry out various chemical reactions. These chemical reactions include breaking down ingested nutrients into digestible particles , using the cells own energy to perform certain functions, and contracting and relaxing muscles to move the body.
Give an example of metabolic activities
Ingesting nutrients and expelling wastes enable the body to continue acquiring the energy needed for life’s activities
Describe growth and development
During their lifetime, organisms assimilate materials from their environment and exhibit increased size (growth) and increased specialization as related to form and function (development). As the human body grows in size, structures such as the brain become more complex and sophisticated
Describe responsiveness
All organisms sense and respond to changes in their internal or external environment
Give an example of responsiveness in organisms
A stimulus to the skin of the hand , such as extremely hot or cold temperatures, causes a human to withdraw the hand from the stimulus, so as to prevent injury or damage
Describe adaptation
Over a period of time, an organism may alter an anatomic structure, physiologic process, or behavioral trait to increase its expected long-term reproductive success, such as a darkening of skin pigmentation in the equatorial region due to an increase in sun exposure
Describe Regulation
Control and regulatory mechanisms within an organism maintain a consistent internal environment, a state called homeostasis
In a constantly changing environment, every organism must be able to maintain what
A “Steady state”
Give an example of regulation for organisms
When the body temperature rises, more blood is circulated near the surfaces of our limbs and digits to facilitate heat loss and return to homeostasis
Describe reproduction
All organisms produce new cells for growth, maintenance, and repair. An organism produces sex cells (called gametes) that, under the right conditions, have the ability to develop into a new living organism
All organisms must exchange what in order to carry out metabolism
Nutrients, gases, and wastes with their environment
Simple organisms exchange substances how
Directly across their surface membranes
What is another name for homeostasis
Internal equilibrium
How does the human body maintain homeostasis
Through the intricate inter workings of all its organ systems
Briefly describe the Integumentary system
Provides protection, regulates body temperature, site of cutaneous receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, and prevents water loss
Hair and skin are examples of
Integumentary System
Briefly describe the skeletal system
Provides support and protection, site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, provides sites for muscle attachments
Briefly describe the muscular system
Produces body movement, generates heat when muscles contract
Briefly describe the Nervous system
A regulatory system that controls body movement, responds to sensory stimuli, and helps control all other systems of the body. Also responsible for consciousness, intelligence, memory
Briefly describe the Endocrine system
Consists of glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones, some of which regulate body and cellular growth, chemical levels in the body, and reproductive functions
Briefly describe the cardiovascular system
Consists of the heart (a pump), blood, and blood vessels; the heart moves blood through blood vessels in order to distribute hormones, nutrients, and gases, and pick up waste products
Briefly describe the Lymphatic system
Transports and filters lymph (interstitial fluid transported through lymph vessels) and initiates an immune response when necessary
Briefly describe the respiratory system
Responsible for exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs
Briefly describe the digestive system
Mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products
Briefly describe the urinary system
Filters the blood and removes waste products from the blood, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body
Briefly describe the male reproductive system
Produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (e.g. testosterone), transfers sperm to the female
Briefly describe the female reproductive system
Produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (e.g. estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from male, site of fertilization of oocyte, site of growth and development of embryo and fetus
