Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
What are the 7 common characteristics of life?
cells
organization
responsiveness
regulation
growth and development
reproduction
metabolism
What are the four main processes of life?
respiration
digestion
circulation
excretion
Briefly explain what each main process of life is:
respiration - exchange of oxygen for chemical processes that can release energy in a suitable form to be used (eg: air exchange in the alveoli or body tissues)
digestion - mechanical and chemical process of breaking down nutrients into substances that the body can use (eg: chewing of food, peristalsis, use of enzymes to chemically break down substances)
circulation -internal movement and distribution of oxygen, cellular wastes, and products of digestion (done by the cardiovascular system in humans)
excretion - removal of wastes and undigested/unwanted toxins, substances… (removal of waste can be done by the respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems)
What is anatomy?
study of structure (gross anatomy/macroscopic anatomy, microscopic anatomy)
What is physiology?
study of function
How are anatomy and physiology related?
structure and function are interrelated in that structure determines or predicts function
(think about the structure of our bones in our feet vs. hands… how do they differ in structure and how are they developed in a way to better suit their function?)
What are trade-offs?
trade-offs are like a compromise… when multiple competing functions must be carried out by a single structure
What are the 6 levels of organization?
organism level, organ system level, organ level, tissue level, cellular level, and chemical level
Organism level
highest level of organization (contains everything below it)
Organ system level
organs interacting in organ systems in a coordinated manner to carry out functions (11 in the human body)
Organ level
consists of two or more tissues working together to perform several functions
Tissue level
composed of similar cells working together to perform one or more specific function(s)
Cellular level
the cell is the smallest living unit in the body
Chemical level
atoms are the smallest stable units of matter that can combine to form molecules with complex shapes
Organs and organ systems are ___________
INTERDEPENDENT
meaning that something that affects one organ will affect the functioning of the body as a whole… nothing in the body functions in isolation!
What is homeostasis?
presence of a stable internal environment - the ability to maintain a stable internal environment
- majority of your body’s energy is used to keep it just the way it is
- actively doing work to maintain the body’s conditions
What is homeostatic regulation?
the adjustment of physiological systems to preserve physiology
- when your body makes changes so that you can continue carrying out functions
- allows you to predict the body’s responses to normal and abnormal conditions
- maintained in a range rather than an absolute value
What are the three components of homeostatic regulation?
- receptor/sensor
- a control center or integration center
- effector
Given a complete analogy of homeostatic regulation
- a water jug has a sensor that detects when the water levels have decreased (receptor)
- when low water levels are detected, the water jug knows how much water it SHOULD have (integration/information center)
- a command is sent to the pipes/hose to refill the water levels back to its original/full amount (effector)
- homeostasis (full water jug) is restored!
…but idk (just in case this analogy ruins your life)
What is negative feedback?
negative feedback provides stability…
it is a method of homeostatic regulation where the effector (activated by the control center) opposes, negates, or undoes the original stimulus
- the purpose of this is to minimize changes in the key body systems for our long-term survival
- provides long-term control over the body’s internal conditions and systems
What is positive feedback?
positive feedback accelerates a process to completion!
this method of homeostatic regulation occurs when the initial stimulus triggers a response that enhances and amplifies the change in the original conditions (rather than opposing it)
- a type of escalating cycle
- AMPLIFIES or ENHANCES changes
Differentiate negative feedback from positive feedback
negative feedback: inhibits or slows down the trigger/stimulus, maintain homeostasis
positive feedback: results in amplification or growth of stimulus/output signal
How does negative feedback connect to homeostasis?
homeostasis and negative feedback are always linked together!
- homeostasis brings conditions back to their initial set point, which is done through negative feedback loops
What is allostasis?
the body’s ability to adapt our set points/behaviours to meet different conditions - maintaining homeostasis even when there are external stressors present
- there are two types of FEED FORWARD allostasis
What are the two types of FEED FORWARD allostasis?
FEED FORWARD allostasis means that it ANTICIPATES A FUTURE PHYSIOLOGICAL NEED
- physiological allostasis
and - behaviour allostasis
Describe physiological allostasis and give an example of it.
Physiological Allostasis - set points can automatically reset during specific states
eg) Marathon runners often experience a moderate increase in heart rate as they line up waiting for the starting gun
your body knows you’re about to do something so it’s preparing you for the change
Describe behaviour allostasis and give an example of it.
Behaviour Allostasis - doing things ahead of time, occurs when we choose to perform behaviours that aren’t currently needed (but may be needed in the future)
eg) Marathon runners carbo-loading the night before
the excessive carbs are not needed at that current moment, but it will be needed in the future so you prepare yourself for that future need
