intro to physiology

Question 1

What is the greek translation of physiology?

Answer 1

The study of nature

Question 2

What is the actual definition of physiology?

Answer 2

the branch of science that MECHANISTICALLY explains the NORMAL FUNCTIONING of living organisms

Question 3

What is a system?

Answer 3

• It is parts that function together
• physiology is the functional viewpoint of the interconnected mechanisms

Question 4

What are some examples of systems?

Answer 4

• nervous system
• respiratory system
• cardiovascular system

Question 5

On what 3 levels can physiology be studied?

Answer 5

• the patient
• the organ
• the cell

Question 6

Give 3 reasons why physiology is important for medicine

Answer 6

• understanding what is happening in the patient
• why current cures are failing
• making better cures

Question 7

What is pathophysiology?

Answer 7

the mechanism by which a disease process causes the organ to fail

Question 8

Explain the pathophysiology behind how diabetes affects a patient, starting from the cell

Answer 8

1. type 1 diabetes mellitus (autoimmune destruction of beta cells)
2. insufficient insulin
3. hyperglycaemia
4. inability of kidney to reabsorb glucose
5. glucose in urine (sign)
6. excess fluid loss into urine (sign)
7. loss of glucose
8. weight loss, hunger, thirst and fatigue (symptoms)

Question 9

What are the 4 types of functional tissue?

Answer 9

• muscle
• nervous
• epithelial
• connective

Question 10

What are the functions of muscle?

Answer 10

• drive movement
• shape changes

Question 11

What are examples of muscle tissue?

Answer 11

• cardiac muscle
• skeletal muscle
• smooth muscle

Question 12

What is the function of nervous tissue?

Answer 12

communicates signals rapidly

Question 13

Give examples of nervous tissue

Answer 13

• brain
• peripheral nerve

Question 14

What are the functions of epithelial tissue?

Answer 14

• controls and transports fluids
• forms barriers for protection

Question 15

Give examples of epithelial tissue

Answer 15

• gastrointestinal lining
• respiratory lining

Question 16

What is the function of connective tissue?

Answer 16

supports, protects and repairs structure and shape

Question 17

Give examples of connective tissue

Answer 17

• bone
• cartilage
• RBC

Question 18

Give an example of how understanding of electricity has helped in medicine

Answer 18

• ECG (electrocardiography)
• measures the electrical field given off by all the heart muscle cells acting in synchrony
• it can reveal if someone is having a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction)

Question 19

What are the 8 physiological vital signs?

Answer 19

• heart/pulse rate
• blood pressure
• respiratory rate
• temperature
• oxygen saturation
• URINE production
• confusion/mental state
• pain (actually a symptom)

Question 20

How are the physiological vital signs important?

Answer 20

they provide a functional (NOT structural) read out of crucial internal organ systems essential for life

Question 21

Why does physiology require problem solving?

Answer 21

• vital signs represent separate systems, and they influence each other
• functional problems do not show us the source
• it gives us indirect information about what is wrong, but not direct info

Question 22

Give an example of how problem solving is necessary in physiology

Answer 22

• high temperature implies infection
• but a high temperature is not “caused” by bacteria
• and there could be other causes of high temperature besides infection

Question 23

What is homeostasis?

Answer 23

the regulation of the cell/bodys internal environnement (extracellular fluid) so that it tends to maintain a stable, constant condition

Question 24

How many cells are in the human body?

Answer 24

100 trillion (10^14)

Question 25

What are the 3 general principles of negative feedback?

Answer 25

• stability /set point
• opposing influences
• sensors

Question 26

Give an example of STABILITY in negative feedback?

Answer 26

• thermoregulation

Question 27

Explain the positive feedback loop for birth

Answer 27

1. baby is in the womb
2. perturbation: baby moves forward
3. cervix is stretched
4. SENSOR: stretch receptors in cervix detect stretch
5. pituitary gland releases oxytocin
6. uterus contracts, pushing the baby forward more

Question 28

What are the 3 general principles of positive feedback?

Answer 28

• amplification
• all-or-none
• the 2 stages: extrinsic (initiate) and intrinsic (amplify)

Question 29

Give an example of AMPLIFICATION in positive feedback

Answer 29

sucking and lactation

Question 30

Give an example of ALL-OR-NONE in positive feedback

Answer 30

parturition (childbirth)

Question 31

Give an example for the EXTRINSIC and INTRINSIC stages in positive feedback

Answer 31

• extrinsic: action potential
• intrinsic: depolarisation

Question 32

Give an example of OPPOSING INFLUENCES in negative feedback?

Answer 32

insulin and glucagon

Question 33

Give an example of SENSORS in negative feedback?

Answer 33

baroreceptors

Question 34

What does physiological mean?

Answer 34

it covered the normal function in the body, usually to do with salts or electrolytes

Question 35

What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?

Answer 35

• a sign is something that is objectively different, showing an altered state
• a symptom is something a patient tells you, that you cannot necessarily obsevre