topic 1 Flashcards
what is anatomy vs physiology
Anatomy is the study of internal and external body structures and their physical relationships among other body parts.
Physiology is the study of how living organisms perform their functions.
explain gross (macroscopic) vs microscopic
Gross anatomy (macroscopic anatomy) is the study of structures and features that are visible to the unaided (naked) eye. There are several
ways to approach gross anatomy:
Surface anatomy is the study of general anatomical form, and how superficial (surface) anatomical markings relate to deeper anatomical structures.
Regional anatomy is the study of the superficial and internal features in a specific area of the body, such as the head, neck, or trunk. Advanced courses in anatomy often stress a regional approach because it emphasizes the relationships among structures. (This will be discussion in Terminology Part 2).
Systemic anatomy is the study of anatomy based upon the body’s organ systems. An organ system is a group of organs that function together to produce coordinated effects. For example, the heart, blood, and blood vessels form the cardiovascular system, which distributes oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. There are 11 organ systems in the human body, which we will introduce later in the lecture.
Microscopic anatomy—the study of structures too small to be seen by the naked eye—includes the specialties of cytology and histology.
Microscopic anatomy is the study of structures that cannot be seen without magnification. The boundaries of microscopic anatomy are established by the limits of the equipment used. A simple hand lens shows details that barely escape the naked eye, while an electron microscope shows structural details that are more than a million times smaller. Microscopic anatomy is subdivided into two specialties that consider features within a characteristic range of sizes:
Cytology analyses the internal structure of cells, the smallest units of life. Living cells are composed of complex chemicals in various combinations, and our lives depend on the chemical processes occurring in the trillions of cells that form our body.
Histology takes a broader perspective and examines tissues, groups of specialized cells and cell products that work together and perform specific functions. The human body has four basic tissue types: epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and neural tissue (which will be discussed later in the course).
explain the different components of human physiology
Cell physiology, the study of the functions of cells, is the cornerstone of human physiology. Cell physiology looks at events involving the atoms and molecules important to life. It includes both chemical processes within cells and chemical interactions among cells.
Organ physiology is the study of the function of specific organs. An example is cardiac physiology, the study of heart function—how the heart works.
Systemic physiology includes all aspects of the functioning of specific organ systems. Cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, and reproductive physiology are examples.
Pathological physiology is the study of the effects of diseases on organ functions or system functions. Modern medicine depends on an understanding of both normal physiology and pathological physiology.
describe the following characteristics of life
organisation, metabolism, responsiveness, growth, development and reproduction
- Organisation refers to the specific interrelationships among the parts of an organism and how those parts interact to perform specific functions.
- Metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions taking place in an organism.
- Responsiveness is an organism’s ability to sense changes in its external or internal environment and adjust to those changes.
- Growth refers to an increase in the size or number of cells, which produces an overall enlargement of all or part of an organism.
- Development includes the changes an organism undergoes through time, beginning with fertilization and ending at death.
- Reproduction is the formation of new cells or new organisms.
