Key Concepts and Sample Questions for Anatomy & Physiology Exam 1

Sample Questions and Key Concepts for Exam 1

Overview

This study guide covers foundational topics in Anatomy & Physiology, focusing on the human body's organization, basic chemistry, and the structure and function of cells and tissues. The following notes expand on sample questions and key concepts to help students prepare for their first exam.

Ch. 1: The Human Body – An Orientation

Homeostasis

• Definition: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.

• Mechanisms: Involves negative feedback (reduces the effect of the stimulus) and positive feedback (enhances the effect of the stimulus).

• Example: Regulation of body temperature, blood glucose levels.

Levels of Organization

• Chemical level: Atoms and molecules

• Cellular level: Cells and their organelles

• Tissue level: Groups of similar cells

• Organ level: Contains two or more types of tissues

• Organ system level: Organs that work closely together

• Organismal level: All organ systems combined to make the whole organism

Body Cavities and Membranes

• Thoracic cavity: Contains heart and lungs

• Abdominopelvic cavity: Contains digestive organs, bladder, reproductive organs

• Diaphragm: Muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

Ch. 2: Basic Chemistry

Elements and Atoms

• Element: A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means

• Most common element in the human body: Oxygen

• Atoms: Smallest unit of an element, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons

Macromolecules

• Carbohydrates: Main source of energy; building blocks are monosaccharides (simple sugars)

• Lipids: Fats and oils; building blocks are fatty acids and glycerol

• Proteins: Made of amino acids; function as enzymes, hormones, and structural components

• Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA; store and transmit genetic information

pH and Solutions

• pH scale: Measures hydrogen ion concentration; 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic

• Types of solutions: Hypotonic, hypertonic, isotonic (affect cell volume and water movement)

Ch. 3: Cells and Tissues

Cell Structure

• Plasma membrane: Phospholipid bilayer that controls entry and exit of substances

• Cytoplasm: Jelly-like fluid inside the cell where organelles are suspended

• Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA)

Membrane Transport

• Passive transport: Does not require energy (e.g., diffusion, osmosis)

• Active transport: Requires energy (ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

• DNA: Double-stranded molecule that stores genetic information

• RNA: Single-stranded; types include mRNA (messenger), tRNA (transfer), rRNA (ribosomal)

• Transcription: Process of copying DNA to mRNA

• Translation: Process where ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template

Tissues

• Epithelial tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities

• Connective tissue: Supports, protects, and binds other tissues

• Muscle tissue: Responsible for movement

• Nervous tissue: Transmits electrical impulses

Key Table: Types of Solutions and Their Effects on Cells

Solution Type	Description	Effect on Cell
Isotonic	Same solute concentration as cell	No net water movement; cell remains the same size
Hypotonic	Lower solute concentration than cell	Water enters cell; cell swells and may burst
Hypertonic	Higher solute concentration than cell	Water leaves cell; cell shrinks

Sample Questions (with Answers)

1. Metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions in the body.

2. The diaphragm creates a transverse section between the thoracic and abdominal body cavities.

3. The most common element in the human body is oxygen.

4. The building blocks of a triglyceride are fatty acids and glycerol.

5. The pH scale is based on the number of hydrogen ions in solution.

6. Cytoplasm is found in the center of the cell.

7. Proteins are molecules that contain lower solutes than the cell (in a hypotonic solution).

8. DNA replication takes place during interphase.

9. The phospholipid tails are hydrophobic, which make the plasma membrane impermeable to water.

Additional Study Topics

• Feedback mechanisms (negative and positive)

• Organ system functions and major organs

• Body planes and anatomical terminology

• Major cell organelles and their functions

• Differences between DNA and RNA

• Types of glands (exocrine and endocrine)

• Classification of epithelial tissue (layers and shapes)

Additional info: Some explanations and examples have been expanded for clarity and completeness based on standard Anatomy & Physiology curricula.