BackAnatomy & Physiology: Introduction and Basic Concepts
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Terms in this set (34)
Anatomy studies the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.
Physiology concerns the function of the body, specifically how body parts work and carry out life-sustaining activities.
The Chemical level includes atoms and molecules essential for life.
The Cellular level consists of cells, the basic units of life, each with specific functions.
The Tissue level is made of groups of similar cells performing a common function; examples include blood, muscle, and nerves.
The Organ level consists of structures composed of two or more tissue types working together to perform specific functions.
The Organ system level is a group of organs that work closely together to accomplish a common purpose.
The Organismal level is the highest level, representing the whole living individual.
Maintaining boundaries separates internal and external environments, such as plasma membranes for cells and skin for the organism.
Movement includes motion of body parts via skeletal muscles and movement of substances through cardiac and smooth muscles.
Responsiveness is the ability to sense and respond to stimuli, like withdrawal reflexes and adjusting breathing rate.
Digestion is the breakdown of ingested food and absorption of simple molecules into the blood.
Metabolism includes all chemical reactions in body cells, combining catabolism and anabolism.
Excretion is the removal of metabolic wastes like urea, carbon dioxide, and feces from the body.
Reproduction at the cellular level is cell division for growth or repair; at the organismal level, it is producing offspring.
Growth is the increase in size of a body part or the entire organism.
There are 11 organ systems that work together to maintain life.
The Integumentary system forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, and houses receptors and glands.
The Skeletal system protects and supports organs, provides a framework for muscles, forms blood cells, and stores minerals.
The Muscular system enables manipulation of the environment, locomotion, facial expression, posture maintenance, and heat production.
The Nervous system is the fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external changes by activating muscles and glands.
The Endocrine system secretes hormones regulating growth, reproduction, and metabolism.
The Cardiovascular system transports blood carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes; the heart pumps blood.
The Lymphatic system returns leaked fluid to blood, disposes of debris, and houses immune cells for defense.
The Respiratory system supplies blood with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide through lung air sacs.
The Digestive system breaks down food into absorbable units and eliminates indigestible food as feces.
The Urinary system eliminates nitrogenous wastes and regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.
The Reproductive system produces offspring; males produce sperm, females produce eggs and support fetal development and newborn nourishment.
Humans need appropriate amounts of nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and atmospheric pressure for survival.
Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Homeostatic imbalance occurs when the body's control systems fail, leading to disease or dysfunction.
Homeostatic control mechanisms involve a receptor, control center, and effector working together to maintain stability.
Negative feedback reduces or shuts off the original stimulus to maintain homeostasis, like a thermostat.
Positive feedback enhances the original stimulus, accelerating the response; examples include blood clotting and labor contractions.