Anatomy and Physiology Overview

Anatomy and Physiology Definitions

• Anatomy: The study of the structure and form of the body and its parts.
• Physiology: The study of the function of the body and its parts.
• Branches: Anatomy includes gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy (histology), developmental anatomy, and more. Physiology includes neurophysiology, endocrinology, and more.

Levels of Structural Organization (Smallest to Largest)

• Chemical level (atoms, molecules)
• Cellular level (cells)
• Tissue level (tissues)
• Organ level (organs)
• Organ system level (organ systems)
• Organismal level (organism)

Levels of Structural Organization (Largest to Smallest)

• Organismal level (organism)
• Organ system level (organ systems)
• Organ level (organs)
• Tissue level (tissues)
• Cellular level (cells)
• Chemical level (atoms, molecules)

Major Body Systems and Functions

• Integumentary: Protection, temperature regulation
• Skeletal: Support, movement, protection, blood cell production
• Muscular: Movement, posture, heat production
• Nervous: Control of body functions, rapid communication
• Endocrine: Hormone production, slow communication
• Cardiovascular: Transport of nutrients and wastes
• Lymphatic/Immune: Defense against infection and disease
• Respiratory: Gas exchange
• Digestive: Nutrient breakdown and absorption
• Urinary: Waste removal, electrolyte balance
• Reproductive: Reproduction

Life Processes of Humans

• Metabolism: All chemical reactions in the body
• Responsiveness: Ability to sense and react to stimuli
• Movement: Physical change in position of the body or any of its parts
• Growth: Increase in size or number of cells
• Differentiation: Formation of specialized cells from less specialized cells
• Reproduction: Production of new organisms of the same species

Homeostasis and Feedback Systems

• Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment.
• Feedback system: A cycle of events that either increases (positive) or decreases (negative) a change.
• Components:
• Stimulus: Initiates a change in the body
• Receptor: Detects a change
• Control center: Processes information and sends signals
• Effector: Causes a response
• Response: A change to counter the stimulus

Negative vs. Positive Feedback Systems

• Negative feedback: Maintains homeostasis. A change is continuously detected and reversed. Example: Body temperature regulation.
• Positive feedback: Amplifies change. A change is continued and magnified. Example: Childbirth.

Signs vs. Symptoms

• Sign: Objective observation; measurable. Example: Fever, rash
• Symptom: Subjective feeling; not measurable. Example: Pain, nausea

Non-Invasive Health Care Techniques

• Physical examination
• Patient history
• Observation
• Auscultation
• Percussion
• Palpation (etc..)

Anatomical Position

• Body is erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.
• Anterior: Front of the body
• Posterior: Back of the body
• Prone: Lying face down
• Supine: Lying face up

Body Regions

• Knowledge of official and common names is required for this section. This is broad.

Directional Terms

• Use directional terms to compare locations of bones/organs

Body Planes/Sections

• Sagittal, coronal, transverse
• Oblique

Body Cavities

• Cranial: Brain
• Vertebral: Spinal cord
• Thoracic: Heart, lungs, esophagus.
• Abdominopelvic: Stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys & reproductive organs.
• Detailed knowledge of the contents is needed.

Abdominopelvic Regions and Quadrants

• 9 abdominopelvic regions
• 4 quadrants
• Knowledge of location of each organ

Medical Imaging Techniques

• Radiography, ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and other forms of imaging are useful diagnostic techniques.

Major Elements of the Body

• Oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen

Atoms

• Structure: Protons (+), neutrons (neutral), electrons (-)
• Electron Shells: Energy levels around the nucleus. Electrons fill shells from the innermost out. Valence shells dictate bonding abilities. Specific numbers vary according to the element being analyzed.

Atomic Number, Mass Number, Isotopes, Atomic Mass

• These terms relate to the properties of atoms

Atomic Calculations

• Calculations related to number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in elements and ions are needed.

Ions

• Positive (cations) and negative (anions) ions result as atoms lose/gain electrons.

Molecules vs. Compounds

• Molecule: Two or more atoms bonded together, same or different type
• Compound: Two or more different atoms bonded together.

Chemical Bonds

• Ionic, covalent (polar and non-polar), hydrogen. Examples are needed to illustrate each type.

Chemical Reactions

• Parts of a reaction include reactants, products, reversible reactions. Types include synthesis, decomposition, exchange.

Energy Forms and Activation Energy

• Different types of energy (kinetic, potential). Activation energy is the amount of energy needed to initiate a reaction; catalysts lower it. Reactions are influenced by reactant concentration, temperature and catalysts.

Organic and Inorganic Compounds

• Organic compounds contain carbon; inorganic compounds do not (with exceptions).

Water

• Water is polar. Its properties are important for life (e.g., high specific heat).

Hydrolysis and Dehydration Synthesis

• Know definitions and the difference between these two processes

Acids, Bases, and pH

• Definition and impact of H+ and OH- ions on pH. Definition of pH levels.

Buffers

• Buffers maintain a stable pH in solution.

Biomolecules (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids; Features)

• Structural components, reactions, functions, and locations, including examples for each category (detailed knowledge needed). Dietary examples necessary and general information is required (e.g., complex to simple).

This quiz covers essential definitions and structural organization in anatomy and physiology. Explore the major body systems and their functions, from the chemical level to the organismal level. Test your understanding of how different parts of the body work together.