Human Body Systems Flashcards
Define Anatomy
The study of the biological form of an organism.
Define Physiology
The study of the biological functions an organism performs.
Define Endocrine System
The system that transmits chemical signals (hormones) to receptive cells throughout body via blood.
Slow acting, long lasting effects.
Define Nervous System
The system that transmits information between specific locations using neurons.
Very fast; information is received by neurons, muscle cells, and endocrine cells.
Define Feedback Loops
Biological mechanisms that work to maintain homeostasis.
Define Negative Feedback
A feedback loop that returns changing conditions back to the set point.
Examples:
temperature
blood glucose levels
Define Positive Feedback
A feedback loop that moves the variable further away from the set point (stimulus amplifies a response).
Examples:
lactation
onset of labor in childbirth
Define Theromoregulation
Maintaining an internal temperature within a tolerable range.
Define Endothermic
Generating heat by metabolism (birds and mammals).
Define Ectothermic
Gaining heat from external sources (invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, and non-avian reptiles).
Define Metabolic Rate
The amount of energy an animal uses in a unit of time.
Define Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The metabolic rate of a resting, fasting, non-stressed endotherm.
Define Standard Metabolic Rate (SMR)
The metabolic rate of a resting, fasting, non-stressed ectotherm at a particular temperature.
Define Torpor
A physiological state in which activity is low and metabolism decreases; saving energy while avoiding difficult and dangerous conditions.
Example: hibernation, estivation
Define Hibernation
Winter torpor during cold and food scarcity.
Define Estivation
Summer torpor during long periods of high temperatures and scarce water.
Define Toxins
Substances that interfere with specific metabolic processes or destroy cells.
Define Dehydration
A loss of water accompanied by changes in tonicity, leading to shifts in the molecular concentration that make it difficult for cellular work to continue.
Hierarchical organization of body systems
Cells, tissues, organs, organ systems
Organ systems in mammals
- digestive
- circulatory
- respiratory
- immune & lymphatic
- excretory
- endocrine
- reproductive
- nervous
- integumentary
- skeletal
- muscular
What are the main components and functions of the digestive system?
Main Components: • mouth • pharynx • esophagus • stomach • intestines • liver • pancreas • anus
Main Functions: • food processing • ingestion • digestion • absorption • elimination
What are the main components and functions of the circulatory system?
Main Components:
heart
blood vessels
blood
Main Functions:
internal distribution of materials
What are the main components and functions of the respiratory system?
Main Components:
lungs
trachea
other breathing tubes
Main Functions:
gas exchange
uptake of oxygen
disposal of carbon dioxide
What are the main components and functions of the immune and lymphatic system?
Main Components: bone marrow lymph nodes thymus spleen lymph vessels white blood cells
Main Functions: Body defense (fighting infections and cancer)
What are the main components and functions of the excretory system?
Main Components: kidneys ureters urinary bladder urethra
Main Functions:
disposal of metabolic wastes
regulation of osmotic balance of blood
What are the main components and functions of the endocrine system?
Main Components: pituitary gland thyroid pancreas adrenal glands other hormone-secreting glands
Main Functions:
coordination of body activities
What are the main components and functions of the reproductive system?
Main Components:
ovaries
testes
associated organs
Main Functions:
reproduction
What are the main components and functions of the nervous system?
Main Components: brain spinal cord nerves sensory organs
Main Functions:
coordination of body activities
detection of stimuli
formulation of responses
What are the main components and functions of the integumentary system?
Main Components: skin hair nails skin glands
Main Functions: thermoregulation protection injury infection dehydration
What are the main components and functions of the skeletal system?
Main Components: skeleton bones tendons ligaments cartilage
Main Functions:
body support
protection of internal organs
movement
What are the main components and functions of the muscular system?
Main Components:
skeletal muscles
Main Functions:
locomotion and other movement
What are the four main types of tissues?
1) Epithelial: covers the outside of the body and lines the organs and cavities within the body
2) Connective: binds and supports other tissues (cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bone, blood, adipose)
3) Muscle: controls body movement (skeletal, smooth, cardiac)
4) Nervous: senses stimuli and transmits signals throughout the animal (neurons, glia)