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Anatomy & Physiology Midterm 1 Key Concepts

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Terms in this set (31)

  • Levels of organization in the human body

    From smallest to largest: molecular → cellular → tissue → organ → system → organism.

  • Definition of homeostasis

    Homeostasis maintains stable internal conditions such as temperature and pH within the body.

  • Negative feedback mechanism

    Negative feedback reverses deviations from a set point via receptor → control center → effector to restore balance.

  • Positive feedback mechanism

    Positive feedback amplifies deviations, increasing the original stimulus.

  • Ventral anatomical terms

    Includes anterior (front) and posterior (back) orientations in the body.

  • Serous membranes and their locations

    Peritoneum covers abdominal organs, pericardium surrounds the heart, and pleura encloses the lungs.

  • Functions of membrane proteins

    Membrane proteins function in anchoring, receptors, and recognition.

  • Cytosol composition

    Contains high potassium, low protein, and some glycogen.

  • Red blood cells and protein synthesis

    Red blood cells have no nucleus, so they cannot synthesize proteins and have a limited lifespan.

  • Diffusion characteristics

    Diffusion is passive and influenced by membrane channels and ion charge.

  • Osmosis and tonicity effects

    Osmosis moves water from high to low concentration; hypotonic causes cells to swell, hypertonic causes cells to shrink.

  • Facilitated diffusion

    Uses carrier proteins, requires no ATP, and has a limited rate.

  • Active transport

    Requires ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient.

  • Vesicular transport types

    Includes endocytosis (phagocytosis and pinocytosis) and exocytosis.

  • Epithelial tissue polarity and features

    Has apical and basal surfaces, is avascular, and can regenerate.

  • Types of epithelial junctions

    Gap junctions allow molecule exchange, tight junctions prevent passage, and desmosomes provide mechanical support.

  • Epithelial specializations

    Microvilli increase absorption; cilia enable movement.

  • Examples of epithelial tissue types

    Simple squamous: alveoli and blood vessels; simple columnar: intestine; transitional: urinary bladder.

  • Types of glandular secretion

    Merocrine: exocytosis (watery sweat), apocrine: cell apex pinches off, holocrine: whole cell bursts.

  • Connective tissue protein fibers

    Includes collagen, reticular, and elastic fibers.

  • Types of connective tissue

    Connective tissue proper, fluid connective tissue (blood), and supporting connective tissue.

  • Digestive system wall layers

    From lumen outward: digestive epithelium, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, submucosa, muscularis externa, serosa.

  • Function of muscularis externa

    Responsible for peristalsis, the movement of food through the digestive tract.

  • Mesenteries in the digestive system

    Double sheets of peritoneum that support organs and carry vessels and nerves.

  • Stomach cell types and secretions

    Parietal cells secrete HCl, chief cells secrete pepsinogen, G cells secrete gastrin.

  • Gastric phases

    Cephalic: prepares stomach, gastric: secretes juice and mixes food, intestinal: empties stomach and reduces secretions.

  • Small intestine digestive secretions

    Duodenal ampulla releases bile and pancreatic juice; secretin stimulates bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice; GIP triggers insulin release.

  • Pancreatic enzymes

    Secretes trypsinogen (proenzyme) and amylase (digests starch).

  • Bile ducts

    Cystic and hepatic ducts join to form the common bile duct.

  • Large intestine functions

    Absorbs water, compacts feces; haustra are pouches in the colon.

  • Salivary glands producing amylase

    Parotid (mostly serous) and submandibular glands produce salivary amylase.