Core Principles of Physiology

Question 1

Explain how concepts of reductionism and holism apply to the understanding of the body.

Answer 1

Reductionism- explaining something on the basis of its parts; breaking systems into parts and studying the parts behaviors in isolation
Holism- parts of an organism are interconnected and each part affects others; whole body must be considered not studied in isolation

Question 2

Explain how the osteopathic “structure - function” relates to physiology

Answer 2

The physiological function of a component of the body can be eluded to by its structure

Question 3

Describe the central physiological theme of homeostasis

Answer 3

Homeostasis is the maintenance of constant internal environment

Question 4

Illustrate (flow-diagram) of negative feedback control coordinating and controlling physiological functions

Answer 4

When the body’s core temperature rises too high it begins to sweat, this sweat take the heat from the bodies skin as energy to evaporate, once enough energy is transferred the body returns to normal temperature and ceases to sweat.

Question 5

Explain the physiological concept of adaptation and one example

Answer 5

An organisms ability to alter its response. Example: at sea level decreasing the level of oxygen available causes an increase in breathing rate.

Question 6

Describe physiological concept of redundancy and one example

Answer 6

Redundancy- multiple control systems for same variable ex. blood pressure

Question 7

One example from nervous, endocrine, hematologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary or renal system and how they exert physiological control on the body

Answer 7

The brain can control blood volume by telling hypothalamus to release ADH telling kidneys to retain water thus regulating urine output and increasing blood pressure.