Vocabulary : Chapter 1 Flashcards
Emergent Properties
Properties that cannot be predicted to exist based only on knowledge of the systems individual components.
Example: Among the most complex emergent properties in humans are emotions, intelligence, and other brain functions.
[None can be predicted from only knowledge of the individual properties of nerve cells.]
Proteomics
The study of proteins in living organisms.
Integrate
To bring varied elements together to create a unified whole.
Cells
Collection of molecules in living organisms.
[Smallest unit of structure capable of carrying out all life processes.]
Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)
Separates cells from their EXternal environment made of lipids and proteins creating a barrier.
Tissues
Collections of cells that carry out related functions.
Organs
Tissues form structural and functional units.
Organ System
Group of organs integrate their functions.
Teleological approach
Thinking about a physiological event in terms of its adaptive significance; the function of a physiological system or event is the “why”.
Example:
Q- “ Why do red blood cells transport oxygen?”
Teleological A - “Because cells need oxygen and red blood cells transport oxygen.”
Mechanistic approach
Studying physiological processes, or mechanisms, of the “how” of the system.
Example:
Q - “How do red blood cells transport oxygen?”
Mechanistic A - Oxygen binds to hemoglobin molecules in the red blood cells.”
[Nothing about the significance of oxygen transport to animal]
Translational research
Uses the insights and results gained from basic biomedical research on mechanisms to develop treatments and strategies for preventing human diseases.
Proteins
Large biomolecules and macromolecules that compromise one or more long chains of amino acid residues.
Seven types:
- Enzymes
- Membrane transporters
- Signal molecules
- Receptors
- Binding proteins
- Immunoglobulins
- Regulatory proteins
Mechanical properties
Compliance (ability to stretch), elastase (stiffness or ability to return to the unstretched state), strength, flexibility, and fluidity (viscosity).
Compartmentation
The division of space into separate compartments. Compartments allow a cell, tissue, or an organ to specialize and isolate functions.
Organelles
Small compartments within a cell.
Function
Function of a physiological system or event is the “WHY”.
Example: Why does a certain response help an animal survive in a particular situation?
“What is the adaptive significance of this event or animal?”
Cell-to-cell Communication
Information flow between cells using chemical signals, electric signals, or a combination of both
Local Communication
Information flow from one cell to its neighbor.
Long-distance Communication
Information flow from one part of the body to another.
Homeostasis
Organisms that survive in challenging habitats coping with external variability by keeping their internal environment relatively stable.
Home- : similar
-stasis : condition
Pathological Condition
When the body fails to maintain homeostasis, normal functionality is disrupted and a disease state may result.
[pathos : suffering]
Pathophysiology
The study of body functions in a disease state.
Diabetes mellitus
Common pathological condition; a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high blood glucose concentrations.
Extracellular fluid (ECF)
For multicellular animals, it is the watery environment that surrounds the cells, a “sea within” the body.
Law of mass balance
If the amount of substance in the body is to remain constant, any gain must be offset by an equal loss.
Mass balance = existing body load + intake or metabolic production - excretion or metabolic removal
Levels of organization
Atoms, cells, tissues, organs, organ system, organisms, population of one species, ecosystem of different species, biosphere.
