Levels of Organisation & Life Processes Flashcards
What is Physiology?
The study of function, based on structure
What is the Organism Level?
a multi-cellular life form made of organ systems, e.g., a human
what is the organ system level?
a group of organs and structures that work together to perform a functions, e.g., the respiratory system
what is the organ level?
a group of tissues that form a functioning unit, e.g., kidney
what is the tissue level?
a group of cell with similar structure and function, e.g., epithelial tissue
what is the cellular level?
“building blocks of life”: basic functional units within a multi-cellular organism, e.g., skeletal muscle cells
what is the chemical level?
tiny chemical units that make up cells and are involved in many bodily functions, e.g., hydrogen
example of an organ function based on structure
the heart is very muscular, allowing it to contract
types of tissue
epithelial tissue
connective tissue
muscle tissue
nervous tissue
basic overview of epithelial tissue
covers exposed surfaces
lines internal passageways & chambers
forms secretory glands
basic overview of connective tissue
fills internal spaces
provides structural support
stores energy
basic overview of muscle tissue
contracts to produce movement
includes skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle
basic overview of nervous tissue
conducts electrical impulses
carries information
functions of epithelial tissue cells
lining of surfaces
form glands
functions of connective tissue cells
fills spaces
structural support
stores energy
functions of muscle tissue cells
contracts to produce movement
stores energy
functions of nervous tissue cells
conducts electrical impulses
communication
definition of cells
the smallest living units that carry out all vital physiological functions
what is an element?
a pure substance made of only one type of atom
what is an atom?
the smallest particle of an element
what is a molecule?
made of two or more atoms, either of the same element, or made of different elements (called a compound)
basic definition of solids in the body
all structures within all cells of the body
basic definition of fluids in the body
all water within and outside of all the cells of the body
fat cells vs. muscle cells: which holds more water?
muscle cells hold more water than fat cells
bodies with more fat vs. bodies with more muscle: which has more water?
bodies with more fat have less water
bodies with more muscle have more water
2 main fluids in the body
intracellular fluid (ICF) extracellular fluid (ECF)
where is intracellular fluid & what % is it of all bodily fluids?
ICF is all the fluid inside cells
66% of total body fluid
where is extracellular fluid & what % is it of all bodily fluids?
ECF is all the fluid outside of cells
33% of total body fluid
two components of extracellular fluid
interstitial fluid
plasma
where is interstitial fluid & what % is it of all ECF?
found in between cells
80% of total ECF
where is plasma & what % is it of all ECF?
the watery part of blood
20% of total ECF
2 main communication pathways in the body
nervous system
endocrine system
basic definition of nervous system
electrical signals sent along nerve cells to all parts of the body
basic definition of endocrine system
chemical signals (hormones) within the bloodstream to all parts of the body
