Introduction to physiology and homeostasis

Question 1

What does human physiology involve

Answer 1

Human physiology involves the study of normal human function and the integrative mechanisms that control them at the subcellular, cellular, tissue, body organs, body systems, and whole-body levels.

Question 2

What is meant by the term tissue

Answer 2

A group of cells with similar structure and specialise function. for example muscle tissue, nervous tissue, epithelial tissue or connective tissue.

Question 3

Define the term organ

Answer 3

Body organs are made up of two or more types of primary tissues that function together to perform a particular function.

Question 4

What is meant by the term body system

Answer 4

Body systems are made up of organs that perform related functions and work together to achieve a common goal.

Question 5

how is physiology learning integrated in the undergraduate medical curriculum.

Answer 5

A firm understanding of physiology and its clinical application is essential for the understanding of body functions in health and disease. the understanding of patient presentations, planning and interpretation of patient investigations, planning patient management options, providing health promotion and disease prevention advice.

Question 6

Outline the physiology learning opportunities in the principles block.

Answer 6

clinically-relevant sciences like physiology are embedded in the integrated curriculum.
Physiological control systems and clinical vital signs is one, the physiology of cell membrane is another.

Question 7

Define what is meant by the term intrinsic

Answer 7

intrinsic controls are local controls that are inherent in an organ

Question 8

What are extrinsic controls

Answer 8

Regulatory mechanisms initiated outside an organ.
Accomplished by nervous and endocrine systems.

Question 9

Define feedforward control

Answer 9

Term used for responses made in anticipation of a change.

Question 10

Define negative feedback control

Answer 10

Negative feedback systems oppose an initial change - main type of physiological control mechanisms.

Question 11

Define positive feedback control.

Answer 11

Positive feedback systems amplify an initial change.

Question 12

What is the role of negative feedback control mechanisms in maintaining a stable internal environment within the body.

Question 13

Define the term homeostasis

Answer 13

Homeostasis is defined as the maintenance of steady states within our bodies by coordinated physiological mechanisms.

Question 14

Why is it important to maintain homeostasis.

Answer 14

homeostasis is essential for the survival of the body cells. many diseases are caused by deficient, inappropriate, or excessive homeostatic mechanisms. disruption of homeostasis may result in disease or death.

Question 15

What is the primary type of homeostatic control mechanisms within the human body.

Answer 15

Negative feedback control

Question 16

What does normal human function require

Answer 16

A stable internal environment is required for normal human function

Question 17

What must a negative feedback control system be able to do in order to maintain homeostasis.

Answer 17

sense deviations from desired range in a regulated variable that needs to be kept within a narrow range.
integrate this information with other relevant information.
make appropriate adjustments in order to restore regulated variable to its desired range.

Question 18

What is negative feedback

Answer 18

A control mechanism where the action of the effector opposes a change in the regulated variable and returns it back toward the set point value.

Question 19

Give examples of variables regulated via negative feedback mechanisms

Answer 19

mean arterial blood pressure, core body temperature, blood glucose, blood gases, blood H+ concentration (pH).