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Anatomy & Physiology: Key Concepts from ANP 1111 Lectures

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What is the primary role of epithelial tissue?

    Epithelial tissue forms sheets of cells that cover body surfaces or line cavities, creating boundaries between different environments and performing functions like protection, absorption, filtration, excretion, secretion, and sensory reception.

  • Name the six major functions of epithelial tissue.
    • Protection
    • Absorption
    • Filtration
    • Excretion
    • Secretion
    • Sensory reception
  • What are the two surfaces of epithelial cells and their features?

    Apical surface faces the lumen or external environment and may have microvilli or cilia.
    Basal surface attaches to the basement membrane.

  • Describe the three types of cell junctions in epithelial tissue.
    • Tight junctions: prevent substances passing between cells.
    • Desmosomes: strongly connect adjacent cells.
    • Hemidesmosomes: attach cells to the basement membrane.
  • How is epithelial tissue classified by cell shape and layers?

    By cell shape: squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), columnar (tall).
    By layers: simple (one layer), stratified (multiple layers).

  • What is the function and location of simple squamous epithelium?

    Thin cells allow rapid exchange of gases; found in lungs and parts of the kidney.

  • What distinguishes pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium?

    Appears stratified due to nuclei at different heights but all cells contact the basement membrane; cilia move mucus; found in respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi).

  • What is the role of transitional epithelium?

    Specialized stratified epithelium in the urinary bladder that stretches and changes shape as the bladder fills.

  • Differentiate endocrine and exocrine glands.

    Endocrine glands: ductless, secrete hormones into bloodstream.
    Exocrine glands: secrete products into ducts leading to body surfaces or cavities.

  • Name the three methods of exocrine secretion.
    • Merocrine: secretion via vesicles, cell remains intact.
    • Holocrine: entire cell ruptures to release product.
    • Apocrine: apical portion of cell pinches off to release product.
  • What are the three major components of connective tissue?
    • Ground substance/matrix: fills spaces between cells and fibers.
    • Fibers: collagen (strength), elastic (stretch), reticular (supportive network).
    • Cells: e.g., fibroblasts that produce matrix.
  • List the types of loose connective tissue proper and their functions.
    • Areolar: supports epithelia, cushions organs, immune defense.
    • Adipose: stores energy, insulates, cushions organs.
    • Reticular: forms supportive framework for blood and immune cells.
  • How does dense regular connective tissue differ from dense irregular connective tissue?

    Dense regular: collagen fibers parallel, resist force in one direction (tendons, ligaments).
    Dense irregular: collagen fibers in multiple directions, resist force from many directions (dermis, organ capsules).

  • What is the main function of elastic connective tissue?

    Allows tissues to stretch and recoil; found in elastic ligaments and some arteries.

  • What are the four basic tissue types and their main functions?
    • Nervous: communication.
    • Muscle: movement.
    • Epithelial: boundaries and coverings.
    • Connective: support, protection, binding.
  • Describe the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to most complex.

    Atoms → Molecules → Organelles → Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems

  • What is the standard anatomical position?

    Body erect, feet slightly apart, arms at sides, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from body; right and left refer to the patient's sides.

  • Define the directional terms: superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial, lateral.
    • Superior: toward the head.
    • Inferior: toward the feet.
    • Anterior: toward the front.
    • Posterior: toward the back.
    • Medial: toward the midline.
    • Lateral: away from the midline.
  • What are the three major body planes and their divisions?
    • Sagittal plane: divides body into left and right.
    • Frontal (coronal) plane: divides body into front and back.
    • Transverse plane: divides body into top and bottom.
  • Explain the concept of homeostasis and its control system components.

    Homeostasis maintains stable internal conditions via a control system: Stimulus → Receptor → Control centre → Effector → Response.

  • Differentiate negative and positive feedback in homeostasis.

    Negative feedback: response reverses original change to restore balance.
    Positive feedback: response amplifies original change until a specific event stops it.

  • What are the key characteristics of cartilage tissue?

    Cartilage is avascular, flexible yet strong, contains chondroblasts and chondrocytes in lacunae, and has a matrix rich in water and collagen fibers.

  • Name and describe the three types of cartilage and their locations.
    • Hyaline: most common, cushioning; found in joints, nose, trachea.
    • Elastic: flexible, elastic fibers; external ear, epiglottis.
    • Fibrocartilage: strongest, withstands compression; intervertebral discs, knee menisci.
  • List the major functions of bone tissue.
    • Support
    • Protection
    • Movement
    • Mineral storage
    • Blood cell production
    • Fat storage
    • Hormone production
  • What are the four bone shapes and examples of each?
    • Long: femur, fingers.
    • Short: carpals, tarsals.
    • Flat: skull, ribs.
    • Irregular: vertebrae, hip bones.
  • Describe the structure and function of an osteon in compact bone.

    An osteon consists of concentric lamellae rings around a central canal containing blood vessels and nerves; osteocytes reside in lacunae connected by canaliculi.

  • What are the four main types of bone cells and their functions?
    • Osteogenic cells: stem cells producing osteoblasts.
    • Osteoblasts: build new bone.
    • Osteocytes: maintain bone matrix.
    • Osteoclasts: resorb/break down bone.
  • Explain the sliding filament mechanism of skeletal muscle contraction.

    Thin actin filaments slide over thick myosin filaments, shortening sarcomeres and muscle fibers; filaments themselves do not shorten.

  • What roles do Ca²⁺ and ATP play in muscle contraction?

    Ca²⁺ binds troponin, moving tropomyosin to expose actin binding sites; ATP binds myosin to detach it from actin and hydrolysis re-energizes myosin heads for repeated cycles.