The Human Body: an Orientation

Define anatomy

the study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another

Define physiology

the study of the function of body parts and how they work and carry out their life-sustaining activities

Define gross or macroscopic anatomy

the study of large anatomical structures that can be seen at the eye

Give examples of anatomical structures that are examined in gross anatomy

heart, lungs, kidneys

What are the 3 categories of macroscopic anatomy?

regional, system and surface

Define regional anatomy

when all the structures in a particular region of the body are studied together

Define system anatomy

looks at just one system

How many systems in the body are there?

11

Name all the systems in the body

nervous, skeletal, muscular, integumentary, endocrine, reproductive, digestive, circulatory, urinary, lymphatic, respiratory

Define surface anatomy

the study of the internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin surface

Define microscopic anatomy

the study of the anatomical structures that cannot be seen at the naked eye

What are some examples of things that can be seen in microscopic anatomy?

cells, tissues

What categories is microscopic anatomy divided into?

cytology and histology

Define cytology

the study of the cells of the body

Define histology

the study of the tissues of the body

Define developmental anatomy

traces the structural changes that occur during the life span

What are the categories of developmental anatomy?

embyology and aging

Define embryology

the study of the developmental changes that occur before birth

What 2 other sciences does physiology rely on?

physics and chemistry

What organs make up our renal physiology?

kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

What organs make up our nuerophysiology?

brain, nerves, spinal cord

What organs make up our cardiovascular physiology?

heart, blood vessels, blood

What is the level of organization of an organism starting from the smallest structure?

atom, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organ, organ system, organism

Define atoms

Building blocks of matter, the simplest form of organization

Define molecules

A group of atoms bonded together

Characteristics of organelles?

perform specific functions

Characteristics of cells?

specialization, different cells perform different tasks

Define tissues

groups of similar cells that share a common function

Define organ

a structure composed by at least 2 types of tissues, which perform a specific function

Define organ system

organs that work together to accomplish a common purpose

How many necessary life functions are there

8

What are the necessary life functions?

maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, growth

Define maintaining boundaries

the separation of internal and external environments

How does the body maintain boundaries?

through plasma membranes and the integumentary system (skin)

What does the integumentary system do?

maintains internal humidity, protects against infections, heat and chemicals

What system allows movement of body parts?

muscular system

How does the muscular system allow movement of body parts?

via skeletal muscles, substances via cardiac and smooth muscles (blood; digestion and urination)

Define contractility

movement at the cellular level

Define responsiveness

the ability to respond to stimuli

Define digestion

the breakdown of ingested foodstuffs, followed by absorption of simple molecules into the blood

Define metabolism

all chemical reactions that occur in body cells

Metabolism is categorized how?

into catabolism and anabolism

Define catabolism

the breakdown of molecules

Define anabolism

the synthesis of molecules

Define excretion

the removal of wastes from metabolism and digestion

What things need to be excreted from the body?

urea, carbon dioxide and feces

What is urea?

the breakdown of proteins

Define reproduction at the cellular level

the division of cells for growth or repair

Define reproduction at the organismal level

the production of new offspring

In what ways do cells reproduce?

through mitosis and meiosis

Define meiosis

a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes

Define mitosis

a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth

List the phases of mitosis

prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

List of phases of meiosis

Interphase, Prophase 1, Metaphase 1, Anaphase 1, Telophase 1 & cytokinesis, Prophase 2, Metaphase 2, Anaphase 2, Telophase 2

Define growth

the increase in size od a body part or organism

Organ systems are designed to service what?

the cells

All cells depend on what to meet their needs?

organ systems

Are humans multicellular or unicellular?

multicellular

What does the human body need to survive?

nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temp, appropriate atmospheric pressure

Define nutrients

Chemicals for energy and cell building

What are minerals and vitamins used for?

chemical reactions and structural purposes

What is oxygen essential for?

the release of energy from foods

Why is water in our body important?

it provides an environment needed for chemical reactions and acts as a fluid base for secretions and excretions

Below or above what temperature are chemical reactions affected in the body?

37 C (98.6 F)

What is specific air pressure needed for?

adequate breathing and gas exchange in the lungs

Define homeostasis

the maintenance of internal conditions despite environmental changes

Define variable

a factor that needs to be regulated

Define receptor

a sensor that monitors the environment and sends information to the control center

Define control center

determines the set point (limits) of the variable and sends the information to the effector (efferent pathway)

Define effector

executes the actions to recover the balance by reducing or enhancing the stimulus

What does imbalance in the body lead to?

increased risk of disease and contributes to aging

Define efferent pathway

carry signals away from the central nervous system

Define afferent pathway

takes signal from body to brain by nerves

What can histology be used for?

recognizing some pathology in tissues and therefore diseases

What can cytology be used for?

to see abnormal cells, which could be a sign of cancer, abnormal fetal development, etc

What is the complementarity of structure and function?

form (anatomy) follows function (physiology)

Give 2 examples of complementarity of structure and function

- teeth (incisors for cutting, molars for mashing)- heart valves (preventing back flow of blood)

In terms of responsiveness, what reflex prevents injury when touching a hot stove?

withdrawal reflex

What changes in our body in response to different activities?

our breathing rate

What are some examples of when our body's responsiveness can go wrong?

- diabetic neuropathy: nerve damage that can cause loss of feeling in feet- congenital insensitivity to pain: lower quality of life

Give examples of how organ systems service cells and cells depending on organ systems for their needs

The digestive system (organs) take in nutrients and distributes them to the cells via the blood.