U7 Chapter 40: Basic Principles of Animal Form and Function Flashcards
Anatomy
The structure of an organism
Physiology
The processes and functions of an organism
Tissues
An integrated group of cells with a common structure, function, or both
Organs
A specialized center of body function composed of several different types of tissues
Organ System
A group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions
Endocrine System
In animals, the internal system of communication involving hormones, the ductless glans that secrete hormones, and the molecular receptors on or in target cells that respond to hormones; functions in concert with the nervous system to effect internal regulation and maintain homeostasis
Nervous System
In animals, the fast-acting internal system of communication involving sensory receptors, networks of nerve cells, and connections to muscles and glands that respond to nerve signals; functions in concert with the endocrine system to effect internal regulation and maintain homeostasis
Hormones
In multicellular organisms, one of many types of secreted chemicals that are formed in specialized cells, travel in body fluids, and act on specific target cells in other parts of the organism, changing the target cells’ functioning
Regulator
An animal for which mechanisms of homeostasis moderate internal changes in a particular variable in the face of external fluctuation of that variable
Conformer
An animal for which an internal condition conforms to (changes in accordance with) changes in an environmental variable
Homeostasis
The steady-state physiological condition of the body
Set Point
In homeostasis in animals, a value maintained for a particular variable, such as body temperature or solute concentration
Stimulus
In feedback regulation, a fluctuation in a variable that triggers a response
Sensor
In homeostasis, a receptor that detects a stimulus
Response
(1) in cellular communication, the change in a specific cellular activity brough about by a transduced signal from outside the cell
(2) In feedback regulation, a physiological activity triggered by a change in a variable
Negative Feedback
A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process slows the process; physiology, a primary mechanism of homeostasis, whereby a change in a variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change
Positive Feedback
A form of regulation in which accumulation of an end product of a process speeds up the process; physiology, a a control mechanism in which a change in a variable triggers a response that counteracts the initial change
Circadian Rhythym
A physiological cycle of about 24 hours that persists even in the absence of external cues
Acclimatization
Physiological adjustment to a change in an environmental factor
Thermoregulation
The maintenance of internal body temperature within a tolerable range
Endothermic
Referring to organisms that are warmed by heat generated by their own metabolism. This heat usually maintains a relatively stable body temperature than that of the external environment
Ectothermic
Referring to organisms for which external sources provide most of the heat for temperature regulation
Integumentary System
The outer covering of a mammal’s body, including skin, hair, and nails, or hooves
Countercurrent Exchange
The exchange of a substance or heat between two fluids flowing in opposite directions. For example, blood in a fish gill flows in the opposite direction of water passing over the gill, maximizing diffusion of oxygen into and carbon dioxide out of the blood
Hypothalamus
The ventral part of the vertebrate forebrain; functions in maintaining homeostasis, especially in coordinating the endocrine and nervous systems; secretes hormones of the posterior pituitary and releasing factors that regulate the anterior pituitary
Bioenergetics
1) The overall flow and transformation of energy in an organism
2) the study of how energy flows through organisms
Metabolic Rate
The total amount of energy an animal uses in a unit of time
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
The metabolic rate of resting, fasting, and nonstresses endotherm at a comfortable temperature
Standard Metabolic Rate (SMR)
Metabolic rate of a resting, fasting, and nonstresses ectotherm at a particular temperature
Torpor
A physiological state in which activity is low and metabolism decreases
Hibernation
A long-term physiological state in which metabolism decreases, the heart and respiratory system slow down, and body temperature is maintained at a lower level than normal
