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Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1

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Terms in this set (21)

  • Levels of structural organization from simplest to most complex

    Atoms → molecules → cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism.

  • Difference between anatomy and physiology

    Anatomy is the study of structure (form), while physiology is the study of function.

  • Anatomical position

    Standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet slightly apart; a shared reference frame for directional terms.

  • Meaning of 'proximal' and 'distal'

    Proximal: closer to the trunk or point of origin; Distal: farther from the trunk or point of origin, used for limbs and tubular organs.

  • Sagittal vs midsagittal vs parasagittal planes

    Sagittal: divides body into left and right; Midsagittal: equal left and right halves; Parasagittal: unequal left and right sections.

  • Major body cavities and their contents

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

  • Difference between parietal and visceral serous membranes

    Parietal layer lines the cavity wall; Visceral layer covers the organ surface; separated by serous fluid.

  • Function of the sodium–potassium pump

    Moves 3 Na⁺ ions out and 2 K⁺ ions into the cell per ATP, maintaining ion gradients and membrane potential.

  • Difference between passive and active membrane transport

    Passive transport requires no energy and moves substances down their gradient; Active transport requires ATP and moves substances against their gradient.

  • Tonicity effects on cells

    Hypotonic: water enters cell, causing swelling; Isotonic: no net water movement; Hypertonic: water leaves cell, causing shrinkage.

  • Steps of protein synthesis

    Transcription: DNA → mRNA in nucleus; Translation: mRNA + tRNA → polypeptide at ribosomes.

  • Characteristics of epithelial tissue

    High cellularity, free apical surface, basal surface attached to basement membrane; classified by layers and cell shape.

  • Simple squamous epithelium function and location

    Single layer of flat cells; allows diffusion of gases; found in alveoli, capillaries, and serous membranes.

  • Difference between dense regular and dense irregular connective tissue

    Dense regular: collagen fibers parallel, resists tension in one direction (tendons, ligaments); Dense irregular: collagen fibers in multiple directions, resists tension in many directions (dermis, organ capsules).

  • Functions of fibroblasts and macrophages in connective tissue

    Fibroblasts produce collagen and ground substance; Macrophages phagocytose debris and bacteria.

  • Types of muscle tissue and key features

    Skeletal: voluntary, striated; Cardiac: involuntary, striated, intercalated discs; Smooth: involuntary, nonstriated, found in uterus and organs.

  • Role of tight junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions

    Tight junctions: seal spaces between cells; Desmosomes: mechanical strength; Gap junctions: allow ion/small molecule flow for electrical coupling.

  • Difference between negative and positive feedback loops

    Negative feedback opposes change to restore set point (e.g., sweating); Positive feedback amplifies change until an endpoint (e.g., childbirth).

  • Components of the cytoskeleton and their functions

    Actin filaments: thin, interact with myosin for movement; Microtubules: transport highways, form cilia/flagella; Intermediate filaments: mechanical strength, nuclear lamina.

  • Function of mitochondria

    Produce ATP; abundant in cells with high energy demand like muscle cells.

  • Difference between phagocytosis and pinocytosis

    Phagocytosis: cell eating of large particles/bacteria; Pinocytosis: cell drinking of extracellular fluid droplets.