Week 1 - What is Life? Flashcards
Define anatomy.
Investigates the STRUCTURE of body parts and how they relate to each other
Define physiology.
Study of the function of living things
What are the 4 levels of anatomy?
1) gross (macroscopic): structures examined without the aid of a microscope
a) systemic: body studied system by system
b) regional: body studied area by area
2) surface: external form of the body and its relation to deeper structures
3) microscopic: structures examined with the aid of a microscope
4) developmental: structural changes that occur in the body through the life span
What are some levels of physiology?
molecular, cellular, systemic, neurophysiology, renal, cardiovascular, pulmonary
What are the 6 levels of organisation in the human body?
Chemical level, cellular level, tissue level, organ level, organ system level, organism
Give an example of chemical level.
atoms (C, H, O, N etc) which make up molecules (DNA, RNA, water, sugar)
Give an example of cellular level.
Molecules (RNA, DNA) which combine to form organelles (nucleus, mitochondria)
Give an example of tissue level.
Cells (smooth muscle cells) combining to form a tissue (smooth muscle tissue)
Give an example of organ level.
Tissues (smooth muscle tissue) to organs (urinary bladder)
Give an example of organ system level.
One or more organs (kidneys, ureters, bladder) to make up a system (urinary system)
What are the 6 characteristics of an organism? Elaborate on each
1) ORGANISATION: relationships amongst parts of an organism and how the parts interact to perform specific functions
2) METABOLISM: chemical reactions
3) RESPONSIVENESS: organism’s ability to sense changes in its environment and adjust to changes
4) GROWTH: increase in size/number of cells
5) DEVELOPMENT: changes an organism undergoes through time
6) REPRODUCTION: formation of new cells or new organisms
Define homeostasis.
The existence and maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment despite changes to the outside environment.
What are some examples of homeostatic mechanisms?
sweating, shivering, uptake of glucose into cells
What is the anatomical position and why is it important?
Face forward, palms forward, arms hanging by their sides. It is important because it provides a point of reference
What is supine?
lying face up
What is prone?
lying face down
What is superior? Give an example.
towards the head. The head is superior to the neck
What is inferior? Give an example.
towards the hail. The pelvis is inferior to the diaphragm
What is anterior? Give an example.
towards the front. The nose is anterior to the ears