Topic 1: General Principles of Physiology Flashcards
What is anatomy?
the biological form of an organism
What is physiology?
the biological functions an organism performs
What is proportional to a cell’s surface area?
rate of exchange
How do small molecules move between cells and their surroundings?
diffusion
Why is diffusion only efficient over small distances?
the time it takes to diffuse is proportional to the square of the distance (t = x(squared) / 2D), where t is time (s), x is distance (cm), D is the diffusion coefficient
What is the diffusion of glucose?
D = 5 x 10(power to the -8) cm(square)/sec
If x is 10 microemters (0.001 cm), t is 100 msec.
If x is 1 cm, t is 27 hours
Single-celled organisms are not _
“diffusionally challenged”
How do single-celled organisms exchange?
a single-celled organism living in water has sufficient surface area to carry out all necessary exchange
How do multicellular organisms exchange?
multicellular organisms with a saclike body plan have body walls that are only two cells thick, facilitating diffusion of materials
What is cell contact in flat animals?
such as tapeworms, direct contact with their environment
What enables sufficient exchange with the environment?
evolutionary adaptations such as specialized, extensively branched or folded structures
What are more complex organisms composed of?
compact masses of cells with complex internal organization
What is the organization of body plans?
most animals are composed of cells organized into tissues that have different functions; tissues make up organs, which together make up organ systems
What are the main components of the digestive system?
mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and anus
What are the main components of the circulatory system?
heart, blood vessels, and blood
What are the main components of the respiratory system?
lungs, trachea, other breathing tubes
What are the main components of the immune and lymphatic system?
bone marrow, lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, and lymph vessels
What are the main components of the excretory system?
kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra
What are the main components of the endocrine system?
pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, and other hormone-secreting glands
What are the main components of the reproductive system?
ovaries or testes and associated organs
What are the main components of the nervous system?
brain, spinal cord, nerves, and sensory organs
What are the main components of the integumentary system?
skin and its derivatives (such as hair, claws, sweat glands)
What are the main components of the skeletal system?
skeleton (bones, tendons, ligaments, caritlage)
What are the main components of the muscular system?
skeletal muscles
What is the main function of the digestive system?
food processing (ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination)
What is the main function of the circulatory system?
internal distribution of materials
What is the main function of the respiratory system?
gas exchange (uptake of oxygen; disposal of carbon dioxide)
What is the main function of the immune and lymphatic system?
body defense (fighting infections and virally induced cancers)
What is the main function of the excretory system?
disposal of metabolic wastes; regulation of osmotic balance of blood
What is the main function of the endocrine system?
coordination of body activities (such as digestion and metabolism)
What is the main function of the reproductive system?
gamete production; promotion of fertilization; support of developing embryo
What is the main function of the nervous system?
coordination of body activities; detection of stimuli and formulation of responses to them
What is the main function of the integumentary system?
protection against mechanical injury, infection, dehydration; thermoregulation
What is the main function of the skeletal system?
body support, protection of internal organs, movement