Functions of Human Life Flashcards
What 6 terms describe the many functions we consider essential for human life?
Organization, metabolism, responsiveness, movement, development, and reproduction
Why is organization essential for human life?
Cells are organized in a way that maintains distinct internal; compartments that:
- protect cells from threats and nourish them
- separate internal body fluids from microorganisms on body surfaces (ex. cells have a cell membrane, blood vessels keep blood in the circulatory system)
- the skin protects the internal structures and fluids from harmful substances and toxins.
Why is metabolism essential for human life?
The basic function of an organism is to consume energy and molecules through food, convert it to fuel for movement, sustain bodily functions, and build or maintain body structures.
This is done through anabolism and catabolism which occur simultaneously to keep us alive.
What is anabolism?
It is a part of metabolism where smaller and simpler molecules are combined into larger, more complex substances.
What is catabolism?
It is a part of metabolism where larger, more complex substances are broken down into smaller and simpler molecules.
What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?
Catabolism requires energy, whereas anabolism requires energy
Describe metabolism and its use of ATP
- the cell stores energy in the creation of ATP (anabolism)
- molecules of ATP are moved to the location in which they are needed
- the ATP is broken down (catabolism) and a controlled amount of energy is released to perform a specific task
What does ATP stand for?
Adenosine triphosphate
Why is responsiveness essential for human life?
Organisms can adjust to changes in it’s internal and external environments
- ex. moving towards sources of food and moving away from danger
- ex. increased body temperature causes sweating to decrease body temperature
Why is movement essential for human life?
Movement refers to the movement of joints, individual organs, individual cells, etc.
- ex. red and white blood cells moving through the body
- ex. muscle cells relaxing and contracting to maintain posture or focus eyes
Conscious vs. unconscious movement
Conscious (contracting muscles to move from one place to another)
Unconscious (ex. muscle groups move air in and out of the lungs)
Why is development essential for human life?
Development refers to the changes the body goes through in life. Within development, there is differentiation, where unspecialized cells specialize in certain structures and functions to perform specific tasks such as growth and repair. This is how the body develops different cells for all the different structures in the body maintain life.
Why is growth essential for human life?
Growth is the increasing of body size through increasing the number of existing cells and the amount of non -cellular material around cells (minerals in bones). This allows humans to grow to full size and be fully developed so that they can survive
Why are reproduction organisms essential for human life?
Reproduction organisms refers to the formation of a new organism from parent organisms. These contain the male and female reproductive systems. This allows of the continuation of the human species.
