intro- physiology

Question 1

what is anatomy and physiology?

Answer 1

Anatomy- the physical structure or form of an organism
physiology- the study of how the physical structures in an organism function

Question 2

why do african elephants have larger ears than asian elephants?

Answer 2

African elephants have larger ears than Asian elephants because they live in hotter environments and larger ears help cool them off more

Question 3

what are the biological levels of organization?

Answer 3

atom–> molecule–> cells–> tissues –> organs –>
organ systems –> organisms –>
population –> communities –>
ecosystem –> biosphere

Question 4

what are the unifying themes in physiology?

Answer 4

1. physiological processes obey physical and chemical laws
2. physiological processes are shaped by evolution
3. physiological processes are usually regulated
4. physiology is integrative

Question 5

what are some examples of how physiological processes obey chemical and physical laws?

Answer 5

physical properties of cells and tissue are linked to structure and function, molecular interactions are governed by chemical laws (thermodynamics, kinetics), electrical laws describe membrane function, especially excitable cells (nerves and muscles)

Question 6

what is an example of how physiological processes are shaped by evolution?

Answer 6

biologists who study anatomy and physiology are studying adaptations, heritage traits that make individuals more likely to survive and reproduce in a certain environment better than individual that lack those traits

Question 7

what do humans and octopuses both have in common?

Answer 7

Humans and octopuses can both detect a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and interpret visual information and modify their behaviour appropriately using the brain. This means both humans and octopuses had developed eyes based off of their environments, known as convergent evolution

Question 8

what is the one difference in the human eye and the octopus eye?

Answer 8

humans have an optic nerve, while octopuses have an optic ganglion

Question 9

how are physiological processes usually regulated?

Answer 9

they are regulated by homeostasis

Question 10

what are the two types of ways to maintain homeostasis?

Answer 10

by regulating or conforming

Question 11

what is homeostasis by regulation?

Answer 11

it is when an organism maintains the same internal conditions even when the environment fluctuates

Question 12

what is homeostasis by conformation?

Answer 12

it is when an organism matches its internal conditions to that of the environment

Question 13

why is homeostasis important?

Answer 13

Homeostasis is important because many proteins, cells and molecules in our body can only function at certain temperatures

Question 14

what factors affect enzyme function?

Answer 14

change in temp and pH, interactions with other molecules, and modification in its primary structure

Question 15

what is a set point?

Answer 15

a normal or target value for that variable

Question 16

what are the three components in a homeostatic system?

Answer 16

-a sensor (senses some aspect of internal or external environment)
-an integrator (compares the incoming sensory information with the set point to determine if a response is necessary
-an effector (any structure that helps restore the internal condition being monitored)

Question 17

what are the three common features of negative feedback?

Answer 17

Redundancy, antagonistic pairs, and continuous feedback

Question 18

how is physiology integrative?

Answer 18

All parts of the physiology of an organism are integrated with one another (cells make tissue which makes organs which are a part of organ systems etc.)