Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Lab Quiz One (Modules)
Information from Module
45
Physiology
Undergraduate 3
09/01/2012

Additional Physiology Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Define Physiology
Definition
The dynamic study of life, specifically the "vital" functions of living organisms and their organs
Term
What does physiology focus on?
Definition
the mechanisms of action within a system relative to its structure
Term
What is the idea behind adaptive significance?
Definition
Why does a certain function help us survive a particular situation
Term
Through what mechanisms do cells combine to form integrated, complex systems?
Definition
Specialization, cooperation and interdependence
Term
What are the six levels of structural organization?
Definition
Chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, system, organism
Term
Define Chemical level
Definition
it is composed of all atoms and molecules essential for maintaining life
Term
Define cellular level
Definition
It consists of all cells, the basic structural and functional units of an organism and the smallest living units in the human body
Term
Define tissue level
Definition
It is formed by tissues, groups of cells and the materials surrounding them that work together to perform a particular function
Term
Define organ level
Definition
Consists of organs, structures composed of two o more different types of tissues with specific functions and usually having recognizable shapes
Term
Define system level
Definition
Formed by systems; related organs that have a common function
Term
Organism level:
Definition
the systems together constitue an organism, a total living individual
Term
What two approaches are used to explain the events that occur in the body?
Definition
One looks at the purpose of a body process and the other looks at the mechanism by which the process occurs
Term
Define homeostasis
Definition
the body's ability to maintain a dynamic steady state of internal physiological environment.
Term
What do homeostatis mechanisms operate through?
Definition
sophisticated feedback control mechanisms
Term
What is a feedback system or feedback loop?
Definition
A cycle of events in which the status of a vital parameter is continually monitored, changed, remonitored, reevaluated, and so on
Term
Does a single feedback loop work in isolation?
Definition
No, it works as a larger network of controls
Term
What is the basic structure of a feedback loop? (4)
Definition
Vital parameter (controlled variable), sensory (receptor), integrating center, and effector
Term
What is a vital parameter (as a part of the feedback loop)
Definition
the specific factor that is being monitored and controlled by the system
Term
What are the sensory receptors? (as a part of the feedback loop)
Definition
It monitors the controlled variable for any deviations caused by a stimulus from the external environment
Term
How does information transmit in sensor receptors?
Definition
across afferent pathways
Term
What is the integrating center (as a part of the feedback loop)
Definition
receives and processes input information from sensor
Term
How does the integrating center instruct to carry out an appropriate response?
Definition
sent to the effector via the efferent pathways
Term
What is the effector? (as a part of the feedback loop)
Definition
Receives instructions from integrating center and responds accordingly
Term
What areas of the body can feedback loops occur?
Definition
within cells, tissues, organs, organ system, or the whole body
Term
What feedback mechanism is one of the most common in physiology?
Definition
negative feedback
Term
How does negative feedback work?
Definition
It opposes changes caused by an initial stimulus--> this brings the vital parameter closer to the set point
Term
What do positive feedback mechanisms do?
Definition
Disrupt homeostasis --> less common in nature
Term
What do positive feedback mechanisms do to changed made by the initial stimulus?
Definition
they amplify changes, which causes the vital parameter to deviate further away from the homeostatic set point.
Term
How can effectiveness of negative feedback loops be increased by positive feedback?
Definition
The positive feedback mechanisms can amplify the actions of a negative feedback response
Term
What is blood clotting an example of?
Definition
the completion of a negative feedback loop that restores homeostasis (look at explanation on pg 2 of module)
Term
[image]
Definition
Positive Feedback
Term
[image]
Definition
Negative Feedback
Term
[image]
Definition
Components of Feedback loops
Term
[image]
Definition
Nonpolar molecules and the plasma membrane
Term
[image]
Definition
Channel proteins
Term
[image]
Definition
Carrier proteins
Term
What is plasma membrane used to describe?
Definition
the membrane that is surrounding the cells that separates the intracellular from extracellular compartments
Term
What is the point of having a barrier surrounding the cell?
Definition
The cytoplasm's compositional uniqueness would be lost by diffusion
Term
the plasma membrane is impermeable to
Definition
proteins, nucleic acids, and other structures needed for the function of the cell
Term
What are the two types of carrier-mediated transport?
Definition
facilitated diffusion (channel/carrier-mediated) and active transport (primary/secondary)
Term
What are non-carrier mediated transport?
Definition
simple diffusion, osmosis
Term
Examples of passive transport
Definition
simple diffusion, carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion
Term
examples of active transport
Definition
primary and secondary
Term
What does the solution consist of?
Definition
Solvent and solute
Term
The effect of these factors collectively make up Fick's law of diffusion:
Definition
1) the magnitude of the concentration gradient
2) the surface of the membrane across which diffusion takes place
3) the lipid solubility of the substance
4) the molecular weight of a substance being inversely proportional to its rate of diffusion
5) The distance through which diffusion must take place is inversely proportional to the rate of diffusion
Supporting users have an ad free experience!