Anatomy and Physiology Basics

Study Notes

Anatomy is the study of structure.
Physiology is the study of function.
Function reflects structure.
Histology is the microscopic study of tissues.
Systems interact with each other.
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment.
Negative and positive feedback loops are critical mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis within the body. Negative feedback loops act to reverse changes, promoting stability by counteracting deviations from a set point. For instance, when blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin to lower those levels. Conversely, positive feedback loops enhance or accelerate changes, often leading to a specific outcome, such as during childbirth, where oxytocin release intensifies contractions. Both types of feedback play essential roles in various physiological processes, ensuring the body effectively responds to internal and external stimuli. Maintain homeostasis.

Understanding organ systems is vital for recognizing their functions in health. The circulatory system transports nutrients and removes waste, highlighting how organ systems maintain homeostasis and support life.
Familiarize yourself with organelles such as the nucleus, which houses genetic material and coordinates cellular activities, the mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell for energy production, and the endoplasmic reticulum, which plays a vital role in the synthesis of proteins and lipids. Additionally, the Golgi apparatus is instrumental in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles. Understanding these organelles, along with their specific functions and interactions within the cell, enhances comprehension of cellular processes and overall tissue performance. from table 3.4
All systems interact.

The human body is composed of four fundamental tissue types: Epithelial, which covers surfaces; Connective, which supports and binds; Muscle, responsible for movement; and Nervous, which transmits signals and coordinates body functions.
Epithelial tissue:
- Functions include protection, secretion, absorption, and excretion.
- Locations vary.
- Classified by shape and arrangement.
- Exocrine glands secrete products into ducts.
  - Classified by shape (tubular, alveolar) and secretion method (merocrine, holocrine).
- Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into blood.
- Epithelial tissue is described by its characteristics, including locations, functions, and general structure.
- Specific types and functions are to be learned.

Endocrine vs. exocrine glands.
Describe hormone functions and differences.
Hormone receptor locations.
Endocrine gland activation (regulation).
Cellular outcomes of endocrine activation.
Growth Hormone (GH) release regulation.
Negative feedback loop's impact on GH levels.
Pancreas endocrine cells and their products.
How these hormones influence blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar levels in diabetes patients are often elevated due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production, leading to hyperglycemia.

Layers of skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and their functions.
Keratinocyte function and arrangement.
Skin pigmentation mechanisms including melanin.
UV light's influence on melanin production, cancer, and cell defense mechanisms.
Burn classification.
Dermis layers, tissue types, and characteristics (papillae).
Differences between dermis and epidermis.
Skin cancers.