Tech Flashcards
What are the levels of organization in the body?
- Atoms
- Molecules
- Organelles
- Cells
- Tissues
- Organs
- Organ Systems
- Organism
Basic units of life to living beings.
What are the characteristics of life?
- Organization
- Metabolism
- Growth
- Reproduction
- Response to Stimuli
- Homeostasis
- Adaptation
These characteristics define living organisms.
Define metabolism.
All chemical reactions in the body, including catabolism and anabolism.
Catabolism breaks down molecules; anabolism builds them up.
What is homeostasis?
The process of maintaining a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Essential for survival and proper functioning of organisms.
What are isotopes?
Variants of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
Isotopes can have different physical properties.
What is phagocytosis?
A process where cells engulf large particles or pathogens.
Commonly performed by white blood cells.
What is positive feedback?
Enhances or amplifies a process.
Examples include childbirth contractions and blood clotting.
What is negative feedback?
Reverses a change to maintain stability.
Regulates processes like blood sugar and body temperature.
List the four most common atoms in the body.
- Carbon (C)
- Hydrogen (H)
- Oxygen (O)
- Nitrogen (N)
These elements are fundamental to biological molecules.
How is atomic weight calculated?
Atomic Weight = Number of Protons + Number of Neutrons.
Example: An atom with 6 protons and 6 neutrons has an atomic weight of 12.
What pH levels classify acids and bases?
- Acids: pH less than 7
- Bases: pH greater than 7
- Neutral: pH = 7
Examples include lemon juice (acid) and soap (base).
What is the function of nucleic acids?
Store and transmit genetic information.
Examples include DNA and RNA.
What is a selectively permeable membrane?
A membrane that allows some substances to pass while blocking others.
Regulates what enters and exits the cell.
List parts of a cell and their functions.
- Nucleus: Controls cell activities, stores DNA
- Mitochondria: Produces energy (ATP)
- Ribosomes: Synthesize proteins
- Rough ER: Processes proteins
- Smooth ER: Synthesizes lipids
- Golgi Apparatus: Modifies proteins
- Lysosomes: Breaks down waste
- Cytoskeleton: Maintains shape
- Plasma Membrane: Regulates entry/exit
- Centrioles: Cell division
- Cytoplasm: Jelly-like substance
Key organelles and their roles in cellular function.
What are hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions?
- Hypertonic: Higher solute concentration than the cell
- Isotonic: Equal solute concentration
- Hypotonic: Lower solute concentration than the cell
These terms describe the osmotic conditions relative to a cell.
What are the events of the cell cycle?
- Interphase (G1, S, G2)
- Mitosis (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase)
- Cytokinesis
Describes the process of cell division and replication.
What is dehydration synthesis?
Bonds molecules by removing water.
Example: Forming proteins from amino acids.
What is hydrolysis?
Breaks bonds by adding water.
Example: Breaking down carbohydrates into sugars.
Define enzymes.
Proteins that speed up chemical reactions.
They lower the activation energy of reactions.
What is the difference between anabolism and catabolism?
- Anabolism: Builds molecules
- Catabolism: Breaks down molecules
Both are metabolic pathways.
What is the function of epithelial tissue?
Covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.
Functions include protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration.
What type of tissue is found in respiratory passages?
Pseudostratified Columnar Epithelium.
Often ciliated to aid in mucus movement.
Differentiate between merocrine, apocrine, and holocrine glands.
- Merocrine: Secrete via exocytosis
- Apocrine: Part of the cell breaks off
- Holocrine: Entire cell disintegrates
These glands differ in their secretion mechanisms.
What is the major tissue type in tendons and ligaments?
Dense Regular Connective Tissue.
Provides strength and support.
How do epithelial and connective tissues differ?
- Epithelial: Covers surfaces; lacks blood vessels
- Connective: Supports and binds; contains blood vessels
Key differences in structure and function.
Examples of involuntary muscle tissues?
- Smooth Muscle
- Cardiac Muscle
Found in walls of organs and the heart, respectively.
What are the components of the integumentary system?
- Skin
- Hair
- Nails
- Sweat Glands
- Sebaceous Glands
Protects the body and regulates temperature.
What are the layers and tissues of the skin?
- Epidermis: Stratified squamous epithelium
- Dermis: Dense irregular connective tissue
- Hypodermis: Adipose and loose connective tissue
Each layer has distinct functions and structures.
Examples of irregular bones.
- Vertebrae
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
- Some facial bones (sphenoid, ethmoid)
Irregular bones have complex shapes.
Where is articular cartilage found on a long bone?
At the ends of long bones, covering the epiphyses.
Reduces friction and absorbs shock in joints.
Differentiate between endochondral and intramembranous ossification.
- Endochondral: Bone forms from a cartilage model
- Intramembranous: Bone develops directly from a fibrous membrane
These processes describe how bones develop.
What does the presence of an epiphyseal plate indicate?
The bone is still growing.
Growth stops when the plate ossifies into an epiphyseal line.
How do bones lengthen?
Occurs at the epiphyseal plate through chondrocyte proliferation and ossification.
New cartilage forms and is later replaced by bone.
What are the classifications of joints by structure?
- Fibrous: Bones joined by fibrous tissue
- Cartilaginous: Bones connected by cartilage
- Synovial: Bones separated by a fluid-filled cavity
These classifications describe joint structure.
What are the classifications of joints by function?
- Synarthrosis: Immovable joints
- Amphiarthrosis: Slightly movable
- Diarthrosis: Freely movable
Functional classifications based on movement capability.
List movements in body planes.
- Flexion/Extension: Decrease/increase angle
- Abduction/Adduction: Move away/toward midline
- Rotation: Twisting around an axis
- Circumduction: Circular movement
These movements describe how joints operate.
What are the three meningeal layers?
- Dura Mater: Outermost, tough layer
- Arachnoid Mater: Middle layer, contains CSF
- Pia Mater: Innermost, adheres to brain surface
Protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
What is a reflex arc?
- Receptor: Detects stimulus
- Sensory Neuron: Transmits signal to spinal cord
- Integration Center: Processes information
- Motor Neuron: Carries response signal
- Effector: Carries out response
Pathway through which reflexes occur.
List parts of the brain and their functions.
- Cerebrum: Decision-making, sensory processing
- Cerebellum: Balance and fine motor coordination
- Brainstem: Vital functions
- Diencephalon: Sensory relay and homeostasis
- Limbic System: Emotions and memory
- Corpus Callosum: Connects hemispheres
Each part plays a crucial role in brain function.
