General Physiology Introduction Quiz

Study Notes

Physiology is the study of biological function, specifically how the body works, from cells to tissues, organs, systems, examining how organisms accomplish tasks essential for life
The objectives for this section include reviewing organ systems, homeostasis and feedback controls, bodily fluid compartments, and an introduction to cells

The body's organ systems are categorized into four groups: Support, Movement, and Protection

The integumentary system includes skin and organs like hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.
It's the largest organ in the body

These systems provide support and enable body movement.
Included are various muscles and bones, e.g., frontal, zygomaticus muscles; humerus, tibia, femur bones, etc.

The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, transferring signals from sensory organs to muscles and glands.
The sense organs provide information, processed in the brain and spinal cord, to allow reactions to environmental stimuli via the muscular system
The endocrine system is composed of hormone-producing glands that communicate via chemicals

The cardiovascular system moves blood, carrying nutrients and oxygen to cells and removing waste.
The lymphatic system contributes cells for blood
The respiratory system brings oxygen into and removes carbon dioxide from the lungs
The digestive system processes food into usable nutrients, with organs such as the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine and accessory organs (teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, pancreas)
The urinary system removes waste products, regulates fluid and chemical content of blood. (kidneys and urinary bladder)

The male and female reproductive systems involve different organs. The male system involves testes, various ducts and glands to move semen through the penis.
The female system includes the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia. Both systems produce sex cells and support the fetus until birth

Homeostasis is maintaining nearly constant internal conditions.
Internal environment is constantly regulated by organs like the lungs providing oxygen, kidneys maintaining ion concentrations, and the gastrointestinal system supplying nutrients.
Table 1.1 displays the contribution of each organ system to maintaining homeostasis.

A homeostatic mechanism that keeps a variable close to a set point, has three components - a sensor, regulatory center, and an effector.
- Sensor detects change in internal environment
- Regulatory center activates the effector
- Effector reverses change to return to normal.
- Cycle ends.

Blood pressure is monitored by sensory receptors.
If blood pressure drops, the regulatory center in the brain signals the constriction of arterial walls.
This action raises blood pressure until it reaches a normal level, thus stopping the cycle

A mechanism that increases change in the same direction (e.g., childbirth and blood clotting).

Nerve impulses from the cervix are transmitted to the brain.
The brain stimulates the pituitary gland to release oxytocin.
This hormone stimulates uterine contractions and pushes the baby towards the cervix.

Body fluids are divided into intracellular and extracellular compartments.
- Intracellular is inside the cell, extracellular outside the cell.

The cell membrane's composition involves components such as cholesterol, carbohydrate, glycoprotein, integral, peripheral, globular, alpha helix protein and channel protein, among others. It controls the passage of materials into and out of the cell and provides its shape.