Lecture 1

Question 1

Physiology, defined

Answer 1

Study of the normal functioning; includes all chemical and physical processes
Return to and maintenance of homeostasis

Question 2

Organization of life

Answer 2

Cells –> tissues –> organs –> organ systems –> organisms

Question 3

Unit of life

Answer 3

The cell

Question 4

Emergent properties

Answer 4

Properties generated by the interaction among “lifeless molecules” at each successive level of organization

Question 5

What is an example of an emergent property?

Answer 5

Human consciousness; no single neuron holds the ability to generate this attribute, it is a sum of all the neurons that make complex emotions/thoughts

Question 6

Integumentary system

Answer 6

Protection from external environment

Question 7

Pathophysiology

Answer 7

Functional changes associated with disease and aging; study of failure to compensate to changes in condition (inability to return to homeostasis)

Question 8

Pathology

Answer 8

Abnormal functioning, non-homeostasis (opposite of physiology, normal function)

Question 9

Teleological approach to physiology

Answer 9

Explains “why” –> more philosophical, ex: why do red blood cells transport O2? Because cells need oxygen and red blood cells bring it to them.

Question 10

Mechanistic approach to physiology

Answer 10

Describes “how” –> objective, ex: How do red blood cells transport O2? O2 binds to hemoglobin molecules contained in red blood cells.

Question 11

Life processes of the human body

Answer 11

Metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, reproduction –> all are interrelated

Question 12

Homeostasis

Answer 12

Relatively constant internal environment, the ability to return to normal despite change or interruption (remaining stable)

Question 13

Homeostasis is not equal to

Answer 13

Equilibrium –> homeostasis is constant changes to keep system stable, equilibrium implies same input and output, which is not always the case with homeostasis

Question 14

Homeostatic control mechanism

Answer 14

Stimulus disrupts homeostasis –> alters a control variable –> change detected by receptors –> receptors signal control center (input) –> control center signals effectors (output) –> effectors bring change (response) –> response alters controlled variable to return system to homeostasis

Question 15

Positive feedback mechanism vs. negative feedback mechanism

Answer 15

Positive feedback = more input from control variable causes output that increases control variable (ex. childbirth, hunger hormones)
Negative feedback = more input from control variable causes output that decreases control variable (or vice versa) (ex. blood pressure)

Question 16

Independent vs. dependent variable

Answer 16

Independent: manipulated by experimental design
Dependent: measured to observe changes caused by independent variable

Question 17

Why are human experiments difficult to perform?

Answer 17

Difficult to interpret results: genetic and environmental variability, placebo and nocebo effect, ethics

Question 18

Histogram

Answer 18

Distribution chart (ex. use to show distribution of exam scores in a class)

Question 19

Recurrent themes in physiology

Answer 19

1. Homeostasis
2. Biological energy use
3. Structure-function relationship
4. Communication

Question 20

Components of an atom

Answer 20

Proton, neutron, electron

Question 21

Atomic number

Answer 21

Number of protons

Question 22

Atomic mass

Answer 22

Number of protons + neutrons

Question 23

Isotopes

Answer 23

Different number of neutrons (more or less atomic mass)

Question 24

Radioisotopes

Answer 24

Unstable, emit energy; used as tracers in medicine

Question 25

Importance of electron shell

Answer 25

Dictates how molecules interact; full e- shell= inert, partial e- shell= reactive

Question 26

Superoxide free radical

Answer 26

O2 gains an electron; can damage DNA, organelles, etc.

Question 27

Cation vs. anion

Answer 27

Cation (+), anion (-)

Question 28

Ionic bonds

Answer 28

Electron transfer, easily broken (ex. H2O dissolves NaCl)

Question 29

Example of ionic, hydrogen and covalent bonds

Answer 29

Ionic: Na+, Cl- (table salt)
Hydrogen: Between water molecules
Covalent bonds: CH4 (methane) - sharing between C and H

Question 30

Strongest to weakest bonds

Answer 30

Covalent –> ionic –> hydrogen –> van der waals interactions

Question 31

Primary roles of electrons

Answer 31

1. Ion and ionic bonds (transfer)
2. Covalent bonds (share)
3. High-energy electrons (ex. bioluminescence)
4. Free radicals

Question 32

Antioxidants

Answer 32

Inhibits oxidations; give electrons without damage (ex. Vitamins C, E)
Protection against free radicals

Question 33

Where is energy stored within a molecule?

Answer 33

Within bonds

Question 34

Molecule

Answer 34

2 or more linked atoms - can be atoms of same element, or compounds
**compounds can be molecules but molecules cannot be a compound

Question 35

Covalent bonds

Answer 35

Strongest bonds, sharing of e-, creates polarity (positive and negative regions) of molecules

Question 36

Van der Waals forces

Answer 36

Weak interaction between two nonpolar molecules

Question 37

Aqueous

Answer 37

Water-based

Question 38

Solution

Answer 38

Solutes (substances) dissolved in solvents (liquids)

Question 39

Solubility

Answer 39

Ease of dissolution