Physiology of Living Organisms Flashcards
The Functions of the Living Organism
What is the Order of the Human Body Hierarchy (Largest to Smallest)
Organisms -> Organ Systems -> Organs -> Tissue -> Cells -> Organelle (Nucleus) -> Macromolecule -> Molecule -> Atom
What is the smallest Level of Life
Cellular
What are the ESSENTIAL Life Functions
Organization (Large Forms on the Hierarchy), Cells, Metabolism, Growth, Development, Excitability, Homeostasis, Reproduction, Evolution
What is Metabolism
Sum of all internal Chemical Changes / Processes in Organism
What is Homeostasis
Maintain Stable Internal Environment (Within Set Parameters) Despite Changes in External Environments
What does Homeostasis Effect
Body Temp, Blood Pressure, Electrolytes & Fluid Balances, Body Weight and PH
What does a Disturbance or Loss of Homeostasis Balance Cause
Causes Illness, Disease and/or Death
What do Nurses and Homeostasis have to do with each other
Nurses Commonly work to get a Patients Homeostasis Level back to a stable level
What is the Study of Mechanisms of Diseases OR Unstable Conditions that result when there is a lack of Homeostasis Control
Pathophysiology
What is a Negative Feedback Loop
A Mechanism that maintains Homeostasis. It is a normal biological response in which the effects of a reaction slow or stop that reaction, and allow it to go back to how it was before (e.g. Body Temp. Regulation)
What is a Positive Feedback Loop
A self-amplifying cycle of behavior where the end result is different and does not allow it to go back to how it was before until the body’s Request is complete also amplifying the initial Stimulus. (e.g. Child Birth)
Can Positive Feedback be Harmful
Yes, e.g. Fever
What Range does a Negative Feedback Loop maintain physiological Values
A Very Narrow Range with values fluctuating around Set Point
What is the Key Physiological Mechanism for Maintaining Health
Negative Feedback Loop
What Type of Feedback Loop REDUCES the Initial Stimulus
Negative
