Untitled Deck Flashcards
Anatomy
Study of organisms’ physical structures.
Physiology
Study of the functions of organisms’ structures.
Adaptations
Heritable traits that improve the chances of an organism surviving and reproducing in an environment.
Acclimatization
Short-term ability to adapt to changes in the environment.
Fitness trade-offs
Limit to an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment due to finite energy capacity.
Energetic demands
Require cost/benefit compromise for energy investment in adaptations.
Tissue
Group of cells that carry out a specific function.
Organ
Structure composed of tissues that carries out a specialized function.
Organ system
Group of organs working in concert to perform a specific function.
Germ layers
Embryonic tissues that form following gastrulation.
Ectoderm
Outer layer of cells that form nerves, adrenal medulla, skin, brain, eyes, and inner ear.
Mesoderm
Internal cells that give rise to organs, adrenal cortex, blood, bone, gonads, and the soft tissues.
Endoderm
Innermost cells that form the epithelial linings of the digestive tract, liver, pancreas, and lungs.
Nervous tissue
Derived from the ectoderm.
Muscle tissue
Derived from the mesoderm.
Connective tissue
Derived from the mesoderm.
Epithelial tissue
Derived from endoderm and ectoderm.
Extracellular matrix
Array of proteins and ground substance, a gel-like substance.
Loose connective tissue
Helps hold organs in place and attaches epithelial tissue.
Adipose tissue
Made mostly of adipocytes, or fat cells.
Dense (fibrous) connective tissue
Tissue dense with collagen fibers.
Tendons
Connects muscle to bone.
Ligaments
Connects bone to bone.
Supportive connective tissue
Forms hard extracellular matrix, bone and cartilage provide structural integrity.
Fluid connective tissue
Blood, cells have a liquid extracellular matrix called plasma.
Neurons
Receive and transmit electrical signals by transporting ions across the membrane.
Axons
Long thin structure that transmits the electric signal, similar to a wire.
Dendrites
Branched structure that receives signals and responds to them.
Glia
Support cells for neurons, essential to their survival and proper functioning.
Skeletal muscle
Attached to bone, used for locomotion and posture.
Cardiac muscle
Only found in the heart, used to contract heart and pump blood.
Smooth muscle
Found in the walls of organs and vasculature.
Apical side
Faces toward the exterior environment.
Basal side
Faces the interior of the animal.
Basal lamina
Extracellular matrix on basal side that the epithelium sits on.
Body size and functions
Constrained by physics, larger animals require thicker skeletons and bigger muscles.
Surface area to volume ratio (SA:V)
Determines the physiology of an animal and its cells.
Bioenergetics
Energy flow through living systems, related to animal’s size and metabolism.
Metabolism
Chemical processes of an organism that sustain life.
Basal Metabolic Rate
Minimum energy consumption rate at rest for endotherms.
Standard Metabolic Rate
Minimum energy consumption rate at rest for ectotherms.
Metabolic Rate
Rate of energy consumption by an organism.
Circadian Rhythm
Daily cycles causing physiological and metabolic fluctuations.
Torpor
Short-term decreased physiological activity and metabolism.
Hibernation
Inactivity and depressed metabolism to conserve energy.
Homeostasis
Regulation to maintain a near-constant physiological state.
Conformation
Organisms conform to environmental conditions without regulation.
Regulation
Active control of internal environment against external changes.
Set Point
Target range for maintaining homeostatic conditions.
Sensor
Detects stimuli related to homeostatic properties.
Integrator
Evaluates sensory information to determine responses.
Effector
Generates responses to restore homeostasis.
Negative Feedback
Output reduces system’s output to maintain balance.
Positive Feedback
Output increases system’s output, enhancing processes.
Nervous System
Transmits and receives information throughout the body.
Endocrine System
Hormone-secreting glands sending signals in the body.
Hypothalamus
Coordinates autonomic nervous system and pituitary gland.
Thermoregulation
Regulation of body temperature within a specific range.
Endothermic
Body heat generated internally by metabolism.
Ectothermic
Body heat obtained externally from the environment.
Homeotherms
Maintain constant body temperature regardless of environment.
Poikilotherms
Body temperature varies significantly with environment.
Heterotherms
Utilize both homeothermic and poikilothermic strategies.
Integumentary System
Organ system composed of skin, hair, and nails.
Vasoconstriction
Reduces heat loss by narrowing blood vessels.
Vasodilation
Increases heat loss by widening blood vessels.
Countercurrent Exchange
Antiparallel flow for heat conservation in extremities.
