General Knowledge Flashcards
What are the five characteristics of living things?
Responsiveness, Reproduction, Growth, Movement, Metabolism (ResRepGroMoMe)
What defines responsiveness?
Changes something as result of something in the environment. Long term change is an adaptation.
What defines growth?
An Increase in cell size, cell counts, etc.
What is cell differentiation?
When a cell becomes a specific type of cell. Cheek cell, heart cell, lung cell, etc. These perform their task very well but cannot do others well.
What defines reproduction?
Creates similar organism. Makes more.
Why are prions not alive?
Only reproduce and do not contain other qualities of life. (Mad cow disease)
Definition of Anatomy
“A cutting open”. How things are BUILT.
Definition of Physiology
How things MOVE and CHANGE. How they work separately and together.
The hierarchy of organization.
Chemical->Cellular->Tissue->Organ Level->Organ System->Organism
What is the Chemical Level of Organization?
Atoms are the smallest stable units. Atoms make molecules. MOLECULAR SHAPE DEFINES FUNCTION.
What is the Cellular level of organization?
Smallest thing considered alive. Our body cells!
What is the Tissue level of organization?
Specialized cells working together to function. Ex. Skins cells working together to make your skin.
What is the organ level of organization?
Two or more tissues working together to perform a function. Heart cells and muscle cells work together to pump blood through the heart (the organ).
What is the Organ System level of organization?
Two or more organs working together to perform a function.
What is the organism level of organization?
When multiple organ systems work together to maintain a healthy living thing.
Definition of homeostasis
The maintenance of a stable internal environment. Relatively stable. DYNAMIC.
What is the only system that does not care about homeostasis?
The reproductive. Only purpose is to create and help further generations, not help yourself.
Everyone’s body temp is not exactly the same but around a certain point when we are healthy (98.7, give or take)
This is due to homeostasis.
Integumentary system
Protection against environment, like skin, hair, nails
Skeletal system
Provides support, protection, stores minerals, forms blood cells.
Muscular system
Allows movement. Provides support and heat (like shivering)
Nervous system
Directs responses to stimuli. Coordinates the activities of our organ systems.
Endocrine system
Directs longggg term change.
Cardiovascular system
Involved in transport of cells, nutrients, waste, and GAS
Lymphatic System
Defends against infection and disease. Return tissue fluid to blood stream.
Respiratory System
Delivers air to gas exchange locations between air and blood. Sound production.
Digestive system
Processes food and absorbs nutrients.
Urinary system
Eliminates excess water, salt, and waste.
Reproductive
Males- produces hormones and sex cells.
Females- same as males, but involved with embryo, fetal development, and fertilization.
