WEEK 1 (Introduction to physiology and Homeostasis)

Question 1

What are the levels of organisation in the body?

Answer 1

Chemical level
Cellular level
Tissue level
Organ level
Organ system level
Organism level

Question 2

What are some examples of ‘basic cell functions’?

Answer 2

• obtaining food and oxygen from the environment to use them to provide energy for the cells
• eliminating CO2 and other waste products
• synthesising proteins and components needed for cell growth, structure, reproduction and function
• controlling the exchanging of materials between the cell and its surrounding environment and being sensitive to changes in the surrounding environment

Question 3

What are some examples of ‘specialised cell functions’?

Answer 3

• digestive system glands secrete enzymes to hydrolyse ingested food
• nerve cells generate and transmit electrical impulses to other body regions
• kidney cells selectively retain or eliminate unwanted substances in urine
• muscle cells generate tension by selective movement of internal structures which results in tension

Question 4

What are the two major systems that regulate body homeostasis?

Answer 4

Nervous system and Endocrine system

Question 5

What is the name of the messengers in the nervous system?

Answer 5

Electrical impulses

Question 6

What is the name of the messengers in the endocrine system?

Answer 6

Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that target cells through the bloodstream

Question 7

Describe the pathway for negative feedback

Answer 7

1) Stimulus produces a change in variable
2) Change is detected by receptor
3) Information is sent along a pathway to the control centre
4) Information is sent along a pathway to the effector
5) Response of effector feeds back to influence magnitude of stimulus and returns variable to homeostasis

Question 8

Describe the pathway of negative-feedback control of body temperature

Answer 8

1) The body temperature falls below a set point which stimulates temperature-monitoring nerve cells
2) Temperature control centre coordinates a response (hypothalamus)
3) Skeletal muscles and other effectors produce a response
4) Increased heat production occurs through shivering and other means (e.g vasoconstriction and erected hair trapping air on the surface of skin)
5) Increase in body temp to normal

Question 9

What does the extracellular fluid contain?

Answer 9

Instertitial Fluid and Plasma

Question 10

What is the difference between ‘negative feedback’ and ‘positive feedback’?

Answer 10

Negative feedback revolves around bringing your body back to its ‘normal’ state whereas positive feedback promotes a change

Question 11

Resting membrane potential for nerve cells is __________?

Answer 11

Negative

Question 12

What are the four different types of tissue?

Answer 12

Connective tissue
Epithelial tissue
Muscle tissue
Nervous tissue

Question 13

What is the difference between endocrine and exocrine?

Answer 13

Exocrine glands secrete their substances through ducts onto your body’s surfaces. On the other hand, endocrine glands secrete their substances directly into your bloodstream