Human Body Chapter 9 Flashcards

Homeostasis and Cellular Structure

• Homeostasis refers to the ideal condition where all body systems operate effectively.
• Cells are the fundamental building blocks of the body, vital for all biological functions.
• Metabolism involves the chemical and physical processes that sustain life.
• Organs carry out specific functions essential for maintaining homeostasis.
• Tissues consist of groups of cells that perform similar tasks, enabling organ function.

Skin and Its Functions

• The skin is the largest organ in the body and serves as a protective barrier.
• It prevents injury to internal organs by functioning as the body’s outer shield.
• The skin also acts as a sensory organ, detecting heat, cold, touch, pain, and pressure.
• Blood vessels in the skin can dilate or constrict in response to temperature changes.

Normal Aging Signs vs. Symptoms

• Some aging signs like thinning skin, wrinkles, and brown spots are normal.
• Symptoms that may indicate health issues include bruising, rashes, and swelling.
• Loss of muscle tone, bone density, and height are typical as the body ages.
• Increased brittleness of bones, pain during movement, and changes in skin color are symptoms to monitor.

Muscular and Skeletal System

• The body is supported by muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, shaping its structure.
• The human skeleton contains 206 bones that protect internal organs and facilitate movement.
• Joints allow bones to meet, with hinge joints permitting movement in only one direction.
• Skeletal muscles are voluntary, while the heart muscle is involuntary.

Nervous System and Brain Functions

• The nervous system controls and coordinates all body functions, with neurons as its basic units.
• The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral system includes nerves.
• Cerebrospinal fluid cushions the brain and spinal cord from injury and damage.
• Key brain functions include control over thinking, speech, voluntary muscles, and basic life processes.

Sensory Organs

• Five main sensory organs are: eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin.
• The retina in the eye sends visual information to the brain for processing.
• Hearing involves three main parts of the ear: auricle, auditory canal, and tympanic membrane.

Circulatory System Overview

• The heart, functioning as the circulatory system's pump, has four chambers.
• The phases of the heart's function are systole (contracting) and diastole (filling with blood).
• Blood’s red color is attributed to iron, while plasma is primarily composed of water.
• Symptoms indicating potential heart issues include chest pain, swelling in extremities, and changes in pulse rate.

Respiratory System Functions

• The lungs are the site of respiration, where oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide expelled.
• Oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the alveoli and capillaries.
• The pleura is a membrane enveloping the lungs, aiding in their function.
• Regular exercise is encouraged to enhance lung capacity and respiratory strength.

General Health and Age-Related Changes

• Symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and shaking can indicate health concerns.
• Normal age-related changes include decreased lung strength and minor short-term memory loss.
• Physical and cognitive symptoms like confusion, decreased sensitivity, and slower reflexes should be monitored.
• Maintaining physical activity can help mitigate some age-related declines in health.