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Anatomy & Physiology: Chapter 1 Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What does anatomy study?

    Anatomy describes the structure of the body, including what body parts are made of, where they are located, and their relationships to each other.

  • What does physiology study?

    Physiology studies the functions of anatomical structures, including individual and cooperative functions of body parts.

  • What are the main subdivisions of gross anatomy?

    Gross anatomy includes surface anatomy (exterior features), regional anatomy (body areas), systemic anatomy (organ systems), developmental anatomy (from conception to death), and clinical anatomy (medical specialties).

  • What is microscopic anatomy and its two main fields?

    Microscopic anatomy examines small structures requiring magnification, including cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues).

  • List the levels of organization in the human body from simplest to most complex.

    Chemical (atoms, molecules) → Cellular (cells) → Tissue (groups of similar cells) → Organ (different tissues) → Organ system (organs working together) → Organism (whole body).

  • Name five major organ systems focused on in this course.

    Integumentary, Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, and Endocrine systems.

  • What are the primary functions of the integumentary system?

    Protects against environmental hazards, helps regulate body temperature, and provides sensory information.

  • What are the main functions of the skeletal system?

    Provides support and protection, stores minerals like calcium, and forms blood cells.

  • Describe the functions of the muscular system.

    Provides movement, protection and support for tissues, and generates heat to maintain body temperature.

  • What are the key roles of the nervous system?

    Directs immediate responses to stimuli, coordinates organ system activities, and processes sensory information.

  • What functions does the endocrine system perform?

    Directs long-term changes in organ systems, adjusts metabolic activity and energy use, and controls development changes via hormones.

  • Define homeostasis.

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment by all body systems working together.

  • What are the three components of homeostatic regulatory mechanisms?

    Receptor (sensor detecting stimulus), control center (processes signal), and effector (carries out response).

  • Explain negative feedback in homeostasis.

    Negative feedback produces a response that opposes the original stimulus to restore normal conditions.

  • Give an example of negative feedback in the human body.

    Regulation of body temperature: if temperature rises, effectors like sweat glands increase secretion to cool the body.

  • What is positive feedback and when is it used biologically?

    Positive feedback amplifies the stimulus, moving the body away from homeostasis, used in processes like blood clotting and childbirth.

  • What is the anatomical position?

    Standing upright, facing forward, feet together or slightly apart, arms at sides with palms facing forward.

  • Define the terms 'supine' and 'prone'.

    Supine: lying face up; Prone: lying face down.

  • What are the four abdominopelvic quadrants?

    Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ), Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ), Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ), Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ).

  • Name the three major body planes used in sectional anatomy.

    Frontal (coronal): divides body into anterior and posterior; Sagittal: divides into left and right; Transverse (horizontal): divides into superior and inferior.

  • What are the two major body cavities and their subdivisions?

    Dorsal cavity: cranial (brain) and vertebral (spinal cord); Ventral cavity: thoracic (lungs, heart) and abdominopelvic (digestive, reproductive organs).

  • What is the function of serous membranes?

    They line body cavities and cover organs, producing serous fluid to reduce friction during organ movement.

  • Differentiate between parietal and visceral layers of serous membranes.

    Parietal layer lines the cavity walls; Visceral layer covers the organs.

  • What organs are contained in the retroperitoneal space?

    Kidneys, pancreas, aorta, and parts of the colon located between the parietal peritoneum and the back muscular body wall.

  • What is the role of the cardiovascular system in homeostasis?

    Distributes blood cells, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and heat throughout the body.

  • What is the function of the lymphatic system?

    Defends against infection, returns tissue fluids to the bloodstream, and supports immune responses.

  • What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

    Delivers air to alveoli, provides oxygen to blood, removes carbon dioxide, and aids in sound production.

  • What are the main functions of the digestive system?

    Processes and digests food, absorbs nutrients and water, and stores energy reserves.

  • Describe the urinary system's role in homeostasis.

    Excretes waste products, controls water balance, stores urine, and regulates blood pH and ion concentrations.