Lecture 1 Flashcards
Describe physiology
the functions and mechanisms that are responsible for controlling and regulating living things
Function of the body (aka___)
describes the ‘why’ something happens
theological approach
function of WBC: to fight off pathogens
Mechanisms of the body
Describes the ‘how’ something happens
Mechanistic approach
How do WBC operate?
The chemical level of the body includes?
Atoms and Molecules
What are atoms?
The smallest units of matter that participate in chemical reactions
What are molecules?
made up of two or more atoms
Cells vs. Tissues
Cells are the basic structural and functional units of organs
Tissues are made up of groups of cells that have a common specialty. Arise from a common ancestor (stem cell) and perform specific functions
What are Organs
made up of two or more different tissues. They take up a certain form, and perform a specific function
System
It consists of related organs that work together to accomplish a common function.
- ex. the digestive system; composed of the stomach GI, tract, etc.
What are two examples of organs that are separate from systems
The brain and the eye
brain: separated by the blood-brain barrier
- to protect the brain from pathogens/unwanted molecules
The eye: separate from the immune system (can make you go blind as it may attack cells)
System do not act in _____, they are _____ to something else. What do processes depend on?
isolation, related
ex. Drugs aren’t only regulated by the liver, they have effects towards the rest of the body.
complex processes depend on the interplay among multiple systems.
- BP depends on circulatory, urinary, nervous and endocrine systems.
Describe Homeostasis
Balance of whaat systems or group of systems wants to be at
How does the eye achieve homeostasis and how is it different from other systems, Why might this be concerning?
the eye has special receptors that are exclusive to it called…
The eye is diffrent from other systems because it works alone, it cannot rely on other organs as they don’t contain the same receptors. This is concerning as there is no back up system. This can complicate things, because if these receptors stop working, there is no other system to try and restore homeostasis.
What organ integrates everything together to try and restore homeostasis?
The brain. Receptors will detect something abnormal, but the brain needs to be able to integrated everything together to bring the whole system back to what’s normal.
- ex. if you have too little/too much of something, the brain will ultimately know how to adjust it.
What’s the Circadian Rhythm?
the body’s natural response to dark and light
