BIOL 203 Lab Practical Review: Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide

Lab Practical Review Overview

Introduction

This study guide summarizes key topics for the BIOL 203 Lab Practical Review, focusing on essential concepts in Anatomy & Physiology. It is designed to help students prepare for lab practical exams by covering identification, structure, and function of major anatomical systems and components.

Muscular System

Muscle Identification and Actions

The muscular system consists of various muscles responsible for movement and stability. Students should be able to identify muscles and describe their primary actions.

• Muscle Action Format: Answers must include the action (verb) and the body part acted upon (e.g., "biceps brachii flexes forearm").

• Examples of Actions:

  • Biceps brachii: Flexes forearm

  • Levator scapulae: Elevates scapula

  • Semimembranosus: Flexes knee

  • Adductor magnus: Adducts thigh

• Key Terms:

  • Adduction: Movement toward the midline

  • Abduction: Movement away from the midline

  • Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two body parts

  • Extension: Increasing the angle between two body parts

  • Plantar flexion: Pointing the foot downward

  • Dorsiflexion: Raising the foot upward

Additional info: Students should refer to muscle tables in their lab modules for comprehensive lists of muscle actions.

Types of Muscle Tissue

There are three main types of muscle tissue, each with distinct characteristics and functions.

Type	Location	Features
Skeletal Muscle	Attached to bones	Striated, voluntary control
Cardiac Muscle	Heart	Striated, involuntary, intercalated discs
Smooth Muscle	Walls of hollow organs	Non-striated, involuntary

Nervous System

Neuron Structure and Classification

Neurons are the functional units of the nervous system, classified by structure and function.

• Structural Classes:

  • Multipolar: Many dendrites, one axon (most common in CNS)

  • Bipolar: One dendrite, one axon (found in sensory organs)

  • Pseudounipolar: Single process splits into two branches (sensory neurons)

• Key Structures:

  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material

  • Axon: Transmits impulses away from cell body

  • Dendrites: Receive signals

  • Myelin Sheath: Insulates axon, increases speed of transmission

  • Neurilemma: Outer layer of Schwann cell

Connective Tissue Sheaths of Nerves

Nerves are protected and organized by connective tissue sheaths.

Sheath	Location	Function
Epineurium	Surrounds entire nerve	Protection and support
Perineurium	Surrounds fascicles	Bundles nerve fibers
Endoneurium	Surrounds individual nerve fibers	Insulation

Spinal Cord & Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• Meninges: Protective layers around the spinal cord and brain

  • Dura mater: Outermost, tough layer

  • Arachnoid mater: Middle, web-like layer

  • Pia mater: Innermost, delicate layer

• Nerve Plexi: Networks of intersecting nerves

  • Cervical plexus

  • Brachial plexus

  • Lumbar plexus

  • Sacral plexus

• Major Nerves: Sciatic, femoral, obturator, median, radial, ulnar, tibial, fibular

Reflex Arc Components

The reflex arc is the basic functional unit of the nervous system for rapid responses.

• Components:

  1. Receptor

  2. Sensory neuron (afferent pathway)

  3. Integration center

  4. Motor neuron (efferent pathway)

  5. Effector

Cranial Nerves

There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves, each with specific functions.

Name	Number	Type
Olfactory	CN I	Sensory
Optic	CN II	Sensory
Oculomotor	CN III	Motor
Trochlear	CN IV	Motor
Trigeminal	CN V	Both
Abducens	CN VI	Motor
Facial	CN VII	Both
Vestibulocochlear	CN VIII	Sensory
Glossopharyngeal	CN IX	Both
Vagus	CN X	Both
Accessory	CN XI	Motor
Hypoglossal	CN XII	Motor

Mnemonic: "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More" (S=Sensory, M=Motor, B=Both)

Brain Anatomy

Major Brain Regions

• Cerebrum: Largest part, responsible for higher functions

• Cerebellum: Coordinates movement and balance

• Diencephalon: Includes thalamus and hypothalamus

• Brainstem: Includes midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata

Structures Related to CSF Circulation

• Ventricles: Lateral, third, and fourth ventricles

• Cerebral aqueduct: Connects third and fourth ventricles

• Choroid plexus: Produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Special Senses

Eye Anatomy

• Structures: Sclera, cornea, iris, lens, retina

• Retinal Layers:

  • Stratum corneum

  • Stratum granulosum

  • Stratum spinosum

  • Stratum basale

Ear Anatomy

• Structures: Ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes), cochlea, semicircular canals, vestibular membrane

• Cochlea: Scala vestibuli, cochlear duct, scala tympani

Integumentary System

Skin Structure

• Epidermal Layers:

  • Stratum corneum

  • Stratum lucidum (only in thick skin)

  • Stratum granulosum

  • Stratum spinosum

  • Stratum basale

• Dermal Layers: Papillary and reticular layers

• Associated Structures: Hair shaft, hair root, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, arrector pili muscle

• Types of Skin: Thick skin (palms, soles) vs. thin skin (elsewhere)

Tissue Types in Skin

Layer	Tissue Type
Epidermis	Stratified squamous epithelium
Dermis (Papillary)	Areolar connective tissue
Dermis (Reticular)	Dense irregular connective tissue

Endocrine System

Major Endocrine Organs and Hormones

• Thyroid gland: Produces thyroid hormones (T3 & T4), calcitonin

• Testes: Produce androgens (testosterone)

• Adrenal gland: Produces aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine

• Parathyroid gland: Produces parathyroid hormone (PTH)

• Ovaries: Produce estrogen and progesterone

Additional info: This guide is not exhaustive; students are responsible for learning all assigned materials and structures for the lab practical.