Introduction To Physiology Flashcards
What is physiology ?
It is the study of how living organisms function
What are the fundamental characteristics of living organisms?
1.Excitability
2.Metabolism
3.Reproduction
What is Metabolism?
All the chemical reactions that go on in the cells of the body.
#Catabolic and Anabolic reactions
What is excitability?
Response to changes in stimuli
Include;Excitation and inhibition
Why is Reproduction important?
It helps maintain the automaticity and continuity of life
It also helps to maintain static conditions by generating new beings to take the place of those that are dying.
What are the contents of physiology?
Cells, Circulatory , Digestive, Respiratory,Energy,Excretory,Endocrine,Nerve and Reproductive.
What are cells?
Cells are the basic units of living organisms
They are the simplest structural units into which a complex organism can be divided and still maintain the functions characteristic of life.
All cells have the same……
Genes.
There are about….. distinct kinds of cells.
200
Body fluid makes about ….. % of body Weight.
50-60%
Body fluid has 2 compartments;
Body fluid is
2/3 Intracellular fluid
And1/3 extracellular fluid also known as internal environment.
What is the internal environment?
It is the fluid that surrounds cells and exists in the blood.
What makes up the internal environment?
15% Interstitial/ tissue fluid
5% Plasma fluid
Lymph and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)
What is the difference between plasma and interstitial fluid?
Plasma has higher protein concentration than in interstitial fluid.
What is homeostasis?
It is a state of reasonably stable balance between physiological variables. It is a dynamic process.
# Physiological function fluctuates within a narrow range.
What is the function of organ systems?
Maintain internal environment relatively constant .
What is the importance of homeostasis?
1.Destruction of Homeostasis affects cell function
2.When homeostasis is lost for one variable it may trigger a series of changes in the other variables
3. A person may be homeostatic for one variable but not for another.
4. The metabolic activities of cells are enzymatic biochemistry , They need nutrients ,water,oxygen etc.
What does plasma do?
Plasma is active and essential for material exchange
What are the 4 broad categories of cells?
•Muscle cells
•Epithelial cells
•Nerve cells
•Connective tissue cells
