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Anatomy & Physiology I: Exam 1 Key Concepts

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  • Difference between Anatomy and Physiology
    Anatomy studies body structures and their relationships; Physiology studies how those structures function.
  • Levels of Structural Organization in the Body
    Hierarchy from simplest to complex: Atom / Molecule / Cell / Tissue / Organ / System / Organism.
  • Surface Anatomy
    Study of the general form and superficial markings of an organism.
  • Sectional Anatomy
    Study of structural relationships by examining cross-sections of tissues or organs.
  • Cytology
    Microscopic study of individual cells and their internal structures.
  • Organ Physiology
    Study of the function of specific organs, such as cardiovascular function.
  • Homeostasis
    Maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment within an organism.
  • Autoregulation
    Automatic adjustment of activities by cells, tissues, or organs in response to environmental changes.
  • Negative Feedback
    A corrective mechanism where a response opposes the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis.
  • Positive Feedback
    A mechanism where a response amplifies the effects of a stimulus, such as in blood clotting or labor.
  • Anatomical Position
    Standard reference position: standing, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
  • Anterior (Ventral) vs Posterior (Dorsal)
    Anterior/Ventral means toward the front; Posterior/Dorsal means toward the back.
  • Inferior
    Position below or at a lower level (e.g., chin is inferior to the nose).
  • Distal
    Away from the point of attachment or origin (e.g., wrist is distal to the elbow).
  • Prone vs Supine Body Postures
    Prone: lying face down; Supine: lying face up.
  • Sagittal Plane
    Divides the body into right and left parts.
  • Diaphragm
    Muscular sheet separating the thoracic cavity from the abdominopelvic cavity.
  • Pleural Cavities
    Each contains a lung; the right pleural cavity contains the right lung.
  • Mediastinum
    Connective tissue mass separating pleural cavities; contains the pericardial cavity around the heart.
  • Atomic Number
    Number of protons in an atom; defines the element.
  • Isotopes
    Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
  • Chemical Behavior of Atoms
    Determined by electrons in the outermost shell (valence electrons).
  • Covalent Bonds
    Formed when atoms share electrons to complete outer shells.
  • Ionic Bonds
    Formed when electrons transfer from one atom to another, creating charged ions.
  • Hydrogen Bonds
    Weak attractions between a hydrogen atom and a negatively charged atom; important in water properties.
  • Hydrophilic vs Hydrophobic Molecules
    Hydrophilic molecules interact readily with water; Hydrophobic molecules do not.
  • Synthesis Reaction
    Two or more atoms or molecules combine to form a larger molecule (A + B \(\rightarrow\) AB).
  • Decomposition Reaction
    A molecule breaks down into smaller parts (AB \(\rightarrow\) A + B).
  • Potential Energy
    Stored energy that can be used to do work.
  • Protein Denaturation
    Loss of protein structure due to extreme pH or temperature changes.