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Anatomy & Physiology: Human Body Overview and Systems

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of body function.

  • Name the levels of structural organization in the human body.

    Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and organismal levels.

  • What is the smallest unit of life?

    The cell is the smallest unit of life.

  • List the basic life functions of the human body.

    Growth, reproduction, responsiveness, movement, and metabolism.

  • What environmental factors are required for life?

    Water, food, oxygen, heat, and pressure.

  • Define homeostasis.

    Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment.

  • What are the three parts of a homeostatic mechanism?

    Receptor, control center, and effector.

  • Describe negative feedback.

    Most common homeostatic mechanism; effectors return conditions toward normal, reversing deviation from set point.

  • Give examples of negative feedback in the body.

    Body temperature regulation, blood pressure control, and blood glucose level regulation.

  • Describe positive feedback.

    Uncommon mechanism where deviation is intensified; short-lived and produces unstable conditions that lead to homeostasis.

  • Give examples of positive feedback in the body.

    Blood clotting, milk production, and uterine contractions during childbirth.

  • What is the function of the integumentary system?

    Forms external body covering, protects deeper tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses cutaneous receptors and glands.

  • What are the main functions of the skeletal system?

    Protects and supports organs, provides muscle framework, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.

  • What functions does the muscular system perform?

    Allows manipulation of environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, and produces heat.

  • What is the role of the nervous system?

    Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external changes and activates muscles and glands.

  • What does the endocrine system do?

    Glands secrete hormones regulating growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism).

  • Describe the cardiovascular system's function.

    Blood vessels transport blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes; the heart pumps blood.

  • What is the function of the lymphatic system?

    Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels, returns it to blood, disposes of debris, houses lymphocytes, and mounts immune attacks.

  • What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

    Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; gas exchange occurs in lung air sacs.

  • What does the digestive system do?

    Breaks down food into absorbable units; indigestible food is eliminated as feces.

  • What are the functions of the urinary system?

    Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of blood.

  • What is the overall function of the male and female reproductive systems?

    Production of offspring; testes produce sperm and hormones; ovaries produce eggs and hormones; female structures support fertilization and fetal development.

  • What is the anatomical position?

    Person stands erect, feet together, eyes forward, palms facing anteriorly with thumbs pointed away from the body.

  • Name the two main body regions.

    Axial region (head, neck, trunk) and appendicular region (limbs).

  • What are the standard directional terms used in anatomy?

    Superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, superficial/deep, proximal/distal, ipsilateral/contralateral.

  • What are the three main body planes?

    Sagittal (divides right and left), frontal/coronal (divides anterior and posterior), and transverse (divides superior and inferior).

  • What are the major body cavities?

    Dorsal cavity (cranial and vertebral) and ventral cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic).

  • What are serous membranes and their function?

    Thin membranes lining body cavities and covering organs; produce serous fluid to reduce friction.