Anatomy and Physiology Basics

Definition: Study of the structure and organization of living organisms.
Levels of Organization:
1. Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules (e.g., DNA, proteins).
2. Cellular Level: Cells, the basic unit of life.
3. Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function (four types: epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
4. Organ Level: Structures composed of two or more tissue types (e.g., heart, lungs).
5. Organ System Level: Groups of organs that work together (e.g., digestive, respiratory systems).
6. Organism Level: The whole living being.
Body Cavities:
- Dorsal Cavity: Contains the brain (cranial cavity) and spinal cord (vertebral cavity).
- Ventral Cavity: Divided into thoracic (lungs, heart) and abdominopelvic cavities (digestive organs, reproductive organs).

Definition: Study of the functions and mechanisms in living organisms.
Types of Physiology:
1. Cell Physiology: Functions of cells and their organelles.
2. Organ Physiology: Functions of specific organs (e.g., heart function, kidney filtration).
3. Systemic Physiology: Functions of organ systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory).
4. Pathophysiology: Study of how disease processes affect body functions.
Homeostasis:
- Definition: Maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.
- Components:
  - Stimulus: A change in the environment.
  - Receptor: Detects the change.
  - Control Center: Processes the signal and sends out commands.
  - Effector: Carries out the response to restore balance.

Basic Cell Structure:
- Plasma Membrane: Selectively permeable barrier.
- Cytoplasm: Gel-like substance inside the cell containing organelles.
- Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
Four Tissue Types:
1. Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands (e.g., skin).
2. Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects other tissues (e.g., bone, blood).
3. Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement (three types: skeletal, cardiac, smooth).
4. Nervous Tissue: Transmits electrical impulses for communication (neurons and glial cells).

Skeletal System: Framework of bones, supports organs, enables movement.
Muscular System: Enables movement, maintains posture, produces heat.
Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body activities through nerve impulses.
Endocrine System: Glands release hormones, regulates metabolic processes.
Cardiovascular System: Transports nutrients and oxygen to cells; removes waste.
Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange; supplies oxygen, removes carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, expels waste.
Urinary System: Eliminates wastes, regulates water and electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System: Produces gametes, supports embryo development (in females).

Anatomical Terms: Understand directional terms (anterior, posterior, medial, lateral), planes (sagittal, transverse, coronal).
Physiological Mechanisms: Grasp concepts like feedback loops (negative and positive feedback).
Interrelationship: Recognize how anatomy and physiology are interrelated, as structure dictates function.

Definition: The study of the structure and organization of living organisms
Levels of Organization:
- Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules, like DNA and proteins, build the foundation of life
- Cellular Level: The smallest unit of life, cells are responsible for all basic life functions
- Tissue Level: Similar cells working together to perform a specific function. There are four main types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous
- Organ Level: Composed of two or more tissue types working in unison, like the heart and lungs
- Organ System Level: Groups of organs that cooperate for a common purpose, like the digestive or respiratory systems
- Organism Level: The complete, living being, a complex network of interconnected systems

Dorsal Cavity: Encloses the brain and spinal cord
- Cranial Cavity: Houses the brain
- Vertebral Cavity: Protects the spinal cord
Ventral Cavity: Contains the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
Thoracic Cavity: Houses the lungs and heart
Abdominopelvic Cavity: Includes the digestive, reproductive, and urinary organs

Definition: The study of the functions and mechanisms of living organisms
Types of Physiology:
- Cell Physiology: Focuses on the functions of cells and their organelles
- Organ Physiology: Examines the specific functions of individual organs, like how the heart pumps blood or the kidneys filter waste
- Systemic Physiology: Examines the functions of entire organ systems, such as the cardiovascular or respiratory system
- Pathophysiology: Studies how disease processes affect the normal functions of the body

Definition: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes
Components:
- Stimulus: A change in the environment that triggers a response
- Receptor: Detects the environmental change
- Control Center: Processes the signal from the receptor and sends out commands to restore balance
- Effector: Carries out the response to bring the internal environment back to its set point

Basic Cell Structure:
- Plasma Membrane: Acts as a selectively permeable barrier, controlling what enters and exits the cell
- Cytoplasm: The gel-like substance inside the cell, containing organelles
- Nucleus: Contains the genetic material (DNA) and directs cell activities
Four Tissue Types:
- Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands (e.g., skin)
- Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects other tissues (e.g., bone, blood)
- Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement (includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle types)
- Nervous Tissue: Transmits electrical impulses for communication (neurons and glial cells)

Skeletal System: Provides a framework of bones, supports organs, and enables movement
Muscular System: Enables movement, maintains posture, and generates heat
Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body activities through nerve impulses
Endocrine System: Secretes hormones from glands that regulate metabolic processes
Cardiovascular System: Transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, removes waste products
Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange, supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide
Digestive System: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste
Urinary System: Eliminates waste, regulates water, and electrolyte balance
Reproductive System: Produces gametes (sex cells) and, in females, supports embryo development

Anatomical Terms: Understand directional terms (e.g., anterior, posterior, medial, lateral) and planes (sagittal, transverse, coronal) to describe the body's structure
Physiological Mechanisms: Grasp concepts like feedback loops (negative and positive feedback) to understand how the body maintains homeostasis
Interrelationship: Recognize that anatomy and physiology are closely intertwined. Structure dictates function, meaning the arrangement of organs and tissues influences their specific roles in the body