Introduction Study Questions Flashcards
What is the process of all organ systems working to keep its internal environment constant and stable?
Homeostasis
What component of a feedback mechanism monitors and detects any changes in the environment?
Sensor (Receptor)
What component of a feedback mechanism determines the set point at which variables need to be maintained?
Control center (Intergration center)
What is anatomy? What is the difference between microscopic and gross anatomy? why do we study anatomy?
Anatomy is the study of structure.
Microscopic anatomy is body structures seen through a microscope (cellular level), as opposed to gross anatomy is looking at the body with our naked vision. We study it because anatomy determines the physiology of the body. (Not the other way around)
What is physiology? Why do we study physiology?
Physiology is the study of function. Physiology is determined by anatomy itself.
What is the principle of complementarity of structure and function? Why is this important
to understand this principle when studying A&P? How does this principle interact with
evolutionary theory?
Anatomy determines physiology and not the other way around.
Relies on shape, location and basic physical principles. Understanding this requires it because the body is a series of cause and effect. Every function or reaction is because structure and function are complementarity. Our bodies are directly correlated with our environment and the evolution of it.
Why is equilibrium the preferred state of the body?
Imbalances lead to disease and illness, therefore disrupting the body’s ability to carry out those needed functions (cause and effect).
How does a positive feedback loop work? How do receptors, effectors, and control centers contribute?
Reinforces initial change in variable, increases output. Occurs when something needs to happen quickly!
How does a negative feedback loop work? How do receptors, effectors, and control centers contribute?
Work by opposing or moving away from whatever the change or variable is. Negative feedback loops work by reducing output and resist change to bring the body back to its normal homeostatic range.
Receptor: relay messages to control center
Control center: receives info about change in variable from the receptor and regulates output of the effector. (cells in the brain or endocrine gland)
Effector: Causes physiological response to the change in variable.
Why does the body need two types of feedback loops?
The body needs two types of feedback loops due to maintain homeostatic conditions in issues such as hyperthermia, but also in the case of childbirth, where changes in variable need to occur quickly in order to bring the body back to homeostasis. Equilibrium prevents cell death!
what are the major organ systems of the body?
Integumentary system (separation, protection)
Skeletal system (internal support and protection of soft organs)
Muscular system (movement, internal and external)
Nervous system (collect, interpret and act on stimuli)
Endocrine system (long term regulation of homeostasis)
Circulatory system (moves oxygen and wastes around the body)
Respiratory system (gas exchange)
Digestive system (breakdown and absorption of nutrients)
Urinary System (excretion of metabolic wastes)
Reproductive System (production and mixing of gametes)
Immune system (destruction of dangerous cells and materials)
Why are humans well-adapted to living on Earth? Why do humans have similar chemical
physiology to all other life on Earth? What was the Last Universal Common Ancestor
Humans are well adapted to living on earth because our needs have evolved to the changes of the planet, and other animals as well. The LUCA was a single celled organism that could catalyze and transcribe RNA the same way humans can.
Why do we have to consider how humans used to live when studying A&P? What changes
have occurred to make modern humans live differently?
Our bodies are adapted to the hunter and gatherer kind of life. Agriculture and modern medicine have occurred to make us live differently. We no longer need to hunt for food, or move to find food.
Why hasn’t evolution allowed humans to adapt to these new
conditions?
Our way of life has evolved too quickly for our bodies to catch up.
Why is reproduction considered the most important goal in living things? Why does this
goal shape the evolution of all life? Why is it necessary to study A&P through this lens?
Reproduction is considered the most important goal because all of a&p contributes to reproductive success. If we do not reproduce, then you run the risk of no evolution.
