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Anatomy & Physiology I Midterm Key Concepts

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  • Difference between Anatomy and Physiology

    Anatomy is the study of structure, while Physiology is the study of function.

  • Levels of Organization in the Human Body

    Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ System → Organism

  • Characteristics of Life

    Organization, Metabolism, Responsiveness, Movement, Development, Growth, Differentiation, Reproduction, Homeostasis, Digestion

  • Negative Feedback in Homeostasis

    Reverses a change to maintain balance. Examples: body temperature, blood pressure, blood glucose.

  • Positive Feedback in Homeostasis

    Amplifies a change. Examples: childbirth, blood clotting.

  • Homeostasis Pathway Sequence

    Stimulus → Receptor → Control Center → Effector → Response

  • 11 Organ Systems and Their Primary Functions

    Integumentary (Protection), Skeletal (Support), Muscular (Movement), Nervous (Fast control), Endocrine (Hormones), Cardiovascular (Transport), Lymphatic (Immunity), Respiratory (Gas exchange), Digestive (Nutrient absorption), Urinary (Waste removal), Reproductive (Reproduction)

  • Directional Terms: Superior vs Inferior

    Superior means above; Inferior means below.

  • Body Planes

    Sagittal (left/right), Midsagittal (equal halves), Frontal (front/back), Transverse (top/bottom), Oblique (diagonal)

  • Serous Membranes and Their Locations

    Pleura (lungs), Pericardium (heart), Peritoneum (abdominal organs); Parietal lines wall, Visceral covers organ.

  • Subatomic Particles and Charges

    Proton = positive, Neutron = neutral, Electron = negative

  • Types of Chemical Bonds

    Ionic (electron transfer), Covalent (electron sharing), Polar Covalent (unequal sharing), Nonpolar Covalent (equal sharing), Hydrogen bond (weak attraction)

  • Water Properties Relevant to Physiology

    Polar molecule, hydrophilic (water-loving), hydrophobic (water-fearing), cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, universal solvent.

  • Energy Types and ATP Role

    Potential energy = stored, kinetic energy = moving; ATP is the cell's energy currency.

  • Basic Cell Theory

    All organisms are made of cells; the cell is the basic unit of life; all cells come from pre-existing cells.

  • Main Components of the Plasma Membrane

    Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins; glycolipids for cell recognition.

  • Functions of Key Organelles

    Mitochondria: ATP production; Ribosomes: protein synthesis; Golgi: packaging; Lysosomes: digestion; Peroxisomes: detox; ER (smooth: lipids, rough: proteins); Nucleus: control center.

  • Types of Membrane Transport

    Simple diffusion (high to low, no protein), facilitated diffusion (high to low, protein), osmosis (water movement), active transport (low to high, uses ATP), secondary active transport (coupled transport).

  • Sodium-Potassium Pump Function

    Moves 3 Na+ out and 2 K+ in using ATP to maintain resting membrane potential.

  • Phases of the Cell Cycle

    Interphase (G1, S - DNA replication, G2), Mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase), Cytokinesis.

  • Four Tissue Types

    Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous

  • Characteristics of Epithelial Tissue

    Avascular, covers surfaces, lines cavities, forms glands, regenerates quickly.

  • Types of Connective Tissue

    Areolar, Adipose, Reticular, Dense Regular, Hyaline Cartilage, Elastic Cartilage, Fibrocartilage, Bone, Blood

  • Bone Cell Types and Functions

    Osteoblasts build bone, osteocytes maintain bone, osteoclasts break down bone.

  • Muscle Tissue Types and Features

    Skeletal: voluntary, striated, multinucleated; Cardiac: striated, branched, intercalated discs, single nucleus; Smooth: no striations.

  • Functions of the Skin

    Protection, thermoregulation, sensation, vitamin D production, excretion, immune defense.

  • Layers of the Epidermis (Deep to Superficial)

    Stratum Basale, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Lucidum (thick skin only), Stratum Corneum.

  • Key Epidermal Cell Types

    Keratinocytes (keratin), Melanocytes (melanin), Langerhans cells (immune), Merkel cells (touch).

  • Differences Between Sweat and Sebum

    Sweat is water and salts; sebum is oily and lubricates skin.

  • Burn Degrees and Characteristics

    1st degree: epidermis only; 2nd degree: blisters; 3rd degree: full thickness.

  • ABCDE Rule for Melanoma Detection

    A = Asymmetry, B = Border irregularity, C = Color variation, D = Diameter > 6 mm, E = Evolving.