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Anatomy & Physiology Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (31)

  • What is the scientific method?

    The scientific method is a systematic process involving observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data collection, and conclusion to understand body functions based on evidence.

  • Difference between a fact and a theory

    A fact is a repeatedly confirmed observation. A theory is a well-tested, widely accepted explanation supported by extensive evidence.

  • Levels of organization in the human body

    Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ system, Organism; each level builds on the previous one.

  • Standard anatomic position

    Body standing upright, facing forward, feet flat, arms at sides, palms facing forward; used as a universal reference point.

  • Common directional terms

    Superior (above), Inferior (below), Anterior (front), Posterior (back), Medial (toward midline), Lateral (away from midline), Proximal (closer to attachment), Distal (farther from attachment), Superficial (near surface), Deep (farther from surface).

  • Major anatomical planes

    Sagittal (left/right), Frontal (front/back), Transverse (upper/lower); used to describe body sections and movements.

  • Major body cavities and organs

    Dorsal: Cranial (brain), Vertebral (spinal cord). Ventral: Thoracic (heart, lungs), Abdominopelvic (abdominal: stomach, liver; pelvic: bladder, reproductive organs).

  • What is homeostasis?

    Ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes; essential for proper cell function and survival.

  • Difference between positive and negative feedback

    Negative feedback reverses changes to restore balance (e.g., temperature regulation). Positive feedback amplifies changes until a specific event occurs (e.g., childbirth contractions).

  • Parts of a feedback loop

    Stimulus (change), Receptor (detects), Control center (processes), Effector (responds).

  • Structure/function relationship

    The shape and design of a body part determine its function; e.g., heart's thick walls enable effective pumping.

  • What is a gradient and direction of spontaneous movement?

    A difference in concentration, pressure, temperature, or charge; matter and energy move spontaneously from high to low.

  • Elements making up >95% of the human body

    Oxygen (O), Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N).

  • Difference between atom, element, and molecule

    Atom: smallest unit of matter. Element: substance of one atom type. Molecule: two or more atoms bonded.

  • Three particles of an atom

    Proton (+ charge, nucleus), Neutron (neutral, nucleus), Electron (− charge, orbitals).

  • What is an ion and an isotope?

    Ion: atom with charge due to electron loss/gain. Isotope: same element with different neutron number.

  • Valence electron

    Electron in the outermost shell; determines chemical bonding behavior.

  • Covalent bond types

    Nonpolar covalent: equal sharing of electrons. Polar covalent: unequal sharing causing partial charges.

  • Hydrogen bond strength

    Weak attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen and a negative atom; weaker than covalent bonds.

  • Difference between diffusion and osmosis

    Diffusion: movement of solutes from high to low concentration. Osmosis: movement of water toward higher solute concentration.

  • Hypotonic, hypertonic, isotonic solutions

    Hypotonic: lower solute outside, water enters cell. Hypertonic: higher solute outside, water leaves cell. Isotonic: equal solute, no net water movement.

  • Active vs passive transport

    Passive: no ATP, moves down gradient. Active: requires ATP, moves against gradient (e.g., Na⁺/K⁺ pump).

  • Major organelles and their functions

    Nucleus (genetic control), Ribosomes (protein synthesis), Rough ER (protein modification), Smooth ER (lipid synthesis), Golgi (packaging), Mitochondria (ATP production), Lysosomes (digestion).

  • Phases of mitosis

    Prophase (chromosomes condense), Metaphase (chromosomes align), Anaphase (chromatids separate), Telophase (nuclei reform).

  • DNA vs RNA differences

    DNA: double-stranded, deoxyribose, thymine. RNA: single-stranded, ribose, uracil.

  • Central dogma of molecular biology

    Transcription: DNA → RNA in nucleus. Translation: RNA → protein at ribosome.

  • Epithelial tissue characteristics

    Closely packed cells, little ECM, covers and lines surfaces.

  • Connective tissue vs epithelial tissue

    Connective tissue has cells spaced apart with abundant ECM; supports and connects structures.

  • Three types of muscle tissue

    Skeletal (voluntary, striated), Cardiac (involuntary, striated), Smooth (involuntary, non-striated).

  • Layers of the epidermis

    Stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum (thick skin only), corneum.

  • Main pigment determining skin tone

    Melanin, produced by melanocytes and transferred to keratinocytes.