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Anatomy & Physiology: Human Body Organization and Homeostasis

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  • What is anatomy?

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts and their relationship to one another.

  • What is physiology?

    Physiology is the study of the function of body parts and how they work to carry out life-sustaining activities.

  • Name the subdivisions of gross anatomy.

    Gross anatomy includes regional anatomy (all structures in an area), system anatomy (one system), and surface anatomy (internal structures related to skin).

  • What does microscopic anatomy study?

    Microscopic anatomy studies structures too small to be seen with the naked eye, including cytology (cells) and histology (tissues).

  • What is the principle of complementarity of structure and function?

    Function always reflects structure; what a structure can do depends on its specific form.

  • List the levels of structural organization in the human body from smallest to largest.

    Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organismal levels.

  • What are the necessary life functions?

    Maintaining boundaries, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction, and growth.

  • How does the muscular system contribute to movement?

    It allows movement of body parts via skeletal muscles and movement of substances via cardiac and smooth muscles.

  • What is metabolism?

    All chemical reactions in body cells, including catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (synthesis).

  • What are the 11 major organ systems responsible for?

    They work together to maintain life by servicing the cells and supporting survival needs.

  • Name the five survival needs of the human body.

    Nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, and appropriate atmospheric pressure.

  • What is homeostasis?

    Maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions despite continuous environmental changes.

  • What are the three components of homeostatic control?

    Receptor (monitors environment), control center (determines set point), and effector (responds to control center).

  • Describe negative feedback in homeostasis.

    Response reduces or shuts off original stimulus, returning variable to normal range.

  • Give an example of negative feedback.

    Regulation of blood glucose: increased glucose triggers insulin release, lowering glucose levels.

  • Describe positive feedback in homeostasis.

    Response enhances or exaggerates the original stimulus, often in a cascade effect.

  • Give an example of positive feedback.

    Formation of a platelet plug during blood clotting, where platelets activate more platelets.

  • What is the standard anatomical position?

    Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward with thumbs pointing away from body.

  • What are the three main body planes?

    Sagittal (divides right and left), frontal (anterior and posterior), and transverse (superior and inferior).

  • What are the two main body cavities?

    Dorsal cavity (cranial and vertebral) and ventral cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic).

  • What is the function of serous membranes?

    They are thin, double-layered membranes that cover surfaces in the ventral body cavity and secrete fluid to reduce friction.

  • What are the four abdominopelvic quadrants?

    Right upper quadrant (RUQ), left upper quadrant (LUQ), right lower quadrant (RLQ), left lower quadrant (LLQ).