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Anatomy & Physiology: Characteristics of Life, Structural Levels, Organ Systems, and Types of Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (31)

  • What is the smallest unit that can carry out the functions of life?
    The cell is the smallest unit that can carry out the functions of life.
  • Define metabolism in living organisms.
    Metabolism is the range of chemical processes in living organisms, including anabolism (building larger molecules) and catabolism (breaking down molecules).
  • What causes growth in living organisms?
    Growth occurs when anabolism exceeds catabolism, resulting in an increase in cell size and/or number.
  • What is excretion in living organisms?
    Excretion is the process of removing toxic waste products produced by metabolism from the organism.
  • What does responsiveness mean in living organisms?
    Responsiveness is the ability to sense and react to environmental changes or stimuli.
  • How is movement defined in the context of living organisms?
    Movement includes motion inside cells, motion of cells within the organism, and movement of the organism itself.
  • What are the two forms of reproduction in multicellular organisms?
    Reproduction occurs as (1) individual cells reproducing within the organism and (2) the organism producing offspring.
  • List the six levels of structural organization in the human body.
    The six levels are: Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organism.
  • What is the chemical level of organization?
    The chemical level includes atoms and molecules, the smallest building blocks of the body.
  • Describe the cellular level of organization.
    The cellular level consists of groups of molecules forming cells, which vary in size, shape, and function.
  • What defines the tissue level of organization?
    Tissues are groups of similar cells and extracellular matrix performing a common function.
  • What is an organ in terms of structural organization?
    An organ is a structure made of two or more tissue types that performs a specialized task.
  • What is an organ system?
    An organ system is a group of organs working together to carry out broad functions.
  • Name four major functions of the integumentary system.
    Protects the body, produces vitamin D, retains water, and regulates body temperature.
  • What are the primary functions of the skeletal system?
    Supports the body, protects organs, provides leverage for movement, produces blood cells, and stores calcium salts.
  • List three functions of the muscular system.
    Produces movement, controls body openings, and generates heat.
  • What are the main functions of the nervous system?
    Regulates body functions and provides sensation, movement, automatic functions, and higher mental functions via nerve impulses.
  • What is the role of the endocrine system?
    Regulates body functions and controls muscles, glands, and tissues through hormone secretion.
  • Describe the cardiovascular system's main functions.
    Pumps and delivers oxygen-poor blood to lungs and oxygen-rich blood to tissues, removes wastes, and transports cells and nutrients.
  • What functions does the lymphatic system perform?
    Returns excess tissue fluid to the cardiovascular system and provides immunity against disease.
  • What are the primary functions of the respiratory system?
    Delivers oxygen to blood, removes carbon dioxide, and maintains acid-base balance.
  • List the main functions of the digestive system.
    Digests food, absorbs nutrients, removes food waste, and maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
  • What are the functions of the urinary system?
    Removes metabolic wastes, maintains fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, and stimulates blood cell production.
  • What are the functions of the male reproductive system?
    Produces and transports sperm, secretes hormones, and enables sexual function.
  • What are the functions of the female reproductive system?
    Produces and transports oocytes, supports fetal development and childbirth, secretes hormones, and enables sexual function.
  • What is systemic anatomy?
    The study of the human body by individual organ systems.
  • Define regional anatomy.
    The study of the body divided into regions such as the back or head and neck.
  • What is surface anatomy?
    The study of surface markings of the body.
  • What does gross anatomy study?
    Structures visible to the unaided eye, such as organs and organ systems.
  • What is microscopic anatomy?
    The study of structures requiring a microscope, including histology (tissues) and cytology (cells).
  • How are physiological specializations classified?
    By organ or organ system studied, such as neurophysiology (brain and nerves) or cardiovascular physiology (heart and vessels).