It examines all of the structures in a particular region of 

the body.

It focuses on superficial anatomic markings and internal 

body structures.

It examines similarities and differences in anatomy 

of different species.

- All exhibit complex organization and order 

– All engage in metabolism, the sum of all chemical reactions that occur 

within the body 

• composed of anabolism and catabolism 

– anabolism, small molecules joined to form larger ones 

– catabolism, large molecules broken down into smaller ones 

– All grow and develop 

• assimilate materials from the environment 

• often increase in size 

• increase in specialization

– All exhibit responsiveness, the ability to sense and react to stimuli 

• e.g., a hot stimulus to the hands causes person to withdraw 

– All exhibit regulation 

• adjust internal bodily function to environment changes 

• Homeostasis, the ability of an organism to maintain a consistent internal 

environment, or “steady state” 

– All reproduce 

• produce new cells for growth, maintenance, and repair 

• with sex cells, can develop into new organisms

-They exhibit comlex organization

-All engage in metabolism 

-All grow and develop

-All exhibit responsiveness

-All exhibit regulation

-All reproduce

Define: The sum of all chemical reactions that occur 

within the body.
Composed of: Anabolism and Catabolism 

• assimilate materials from the environment 

• often increase in size 

• increase in specialization

The ability of an organism to maintain a consistent internal 

environment, or “steady state” .

1. Chemical level

2. Cellular level 

Involves atoms and molecules 

• atoms, smallest units of matter 

• molecules, one or more combined atoms e.g., sugar, vitamins 

-- Consists of cells, the smallest living structures 

• basic units of structure and function in organisms 

• vary widely in structure, reflecting specializations needed 

– Formed from atoms and molecules from the chemical level

Consists of tissues, groups of similar cells performing common 

functions 

– Four types of tissues: 

• epithelial tissue covers exposed surfaces and lines body cavities 

• connective tissue protects, supports, and binds structures and organs 

• muscle tissue produces movement 

• nervous tissue conducts nerve impulses 

-Epithelial tissue
- Connective tissue

-Muscle tissue

-Nervous tissue

 Produces movement : what type of tissue is this?

Consists of organs, two or more tissue types performing specific 

functions 

• e.g., the small intestine composed of all four tissue types, working to 

process and absorb digested nutrients 

– Contains related organs that work together to achieve a common 

function 

• e.g., organs of the digestive system working together to digest food, absorb 

nutrients, and expel waste products

– Highest level of structural organization 

– All body functions working interdependently in an organism, the 

living being 

• provides protection, regulates body temperature, houses cutaneous 

receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, prevents water loss 

provides support and protection, site of blood cell production, stores 

calcium and phosphorus

controls body movement, responsible for consciousness, intelligence, 

memory 

moves blood through blood vessels to distribute nutrients, gases, hormones, and 

pick up waste products

Male: produces male sex cells and hormones, transfers sperm to female 

• Female: produces female sex cells and hormones, site of fertilization and growth of 

embryo and fetus

• cranial cavity formed by bones of the cranium 

– houses the brain 

• vertebral canal formed by the bones of the vertebral column 

– houses the spinal cord 

Ventral cavity (body cavities) Partitioned into a superior _________ and an inferior 

________.

Partitioned into a superior thoracic cavity and an inferior 

abdominopelvic cavity

1) parietal layer lines the internal surface of the body wall 

 2) visceral layer covers the external surface of organs (the viscera) 

within that cavity

– Liquid that serves as a lubricant 

– Reduces friction caused by movement of organs against the body wall

[image]

Name these body cavities

– Median space in the thoracic cavity 

– Contains the heart, thymus, esophagus, trachea, and major blood 

vessels that connect to the heart 

Outer layer which forms the sac around the heart is the: 

A) Parietal pericardium

or 
B)  Visceral pericardium

Inner layer which forms the heart’s external surface is the: 
A)  Visceral pericardium

or

B) Parietal pericardium

Potential space between parietal and visceral layers containing serous fluid is the...? 
A)  Peritoneum

or 
B) Pericardial cavity 

The body maintains homeostasis by using 

________.

The body maintains homeostasis by using 

homeostatic control systems

• receptor 

• control center 

• effector 

The structure that detects changes in a variable, the stimulus 

• e.g., a change in temperature 

– Consists of sensory nerves

The structure that interprets input from the receptor 

– Initiates changes through the effector 

– A portion of the nervous system or an endocrine organ 

• Nervous system can provide a quicker response 

– e.g., regulation of blood pressure upon rising 

• Endocrine response is more sustained 

– e.g., parathyroid hormone regulating calcium levels 

The structure that brings about change to alter the stimulus 

– Most body structures 

• e.g., muscles or glands

Response of a homeostatic system occurs through a 

feedback loop: 

– stimulus 

– detection of stimulus by a receptor 

– information relayed to the control center 

– integration of the input by control center and initiation of change 

through effectors 

– return of homeostasis by the actions of effectors 

– A type of homeostatic control system that maintains the variable within 

a normal range 

– Resulting action in the opposite direction of stimulus 

– Controls most processes in the body 

Negative feedback 

– withdrawal reflex in response to injury 

– regulating heart rate and blood pressure during exercise 

– changing breathing rate in response to increased carbon 

dioxide 

– parathyroid hormone release in response to decreased 

calcium 

– release of insulin by the pancreas in response to increased 

blood glucose

– Moves the stimulus in the same direction 

– Continues until a climatic event occurs 

– Occurs less frequently 
What is this?  

– breastfeeding

– blood clotting cascade 

– uterine contractions of labor

Summary of homeostatic system characteristics: 

– they are dynamic 

– the control center is generally the ___ system or ____ system 

– they have three components: receptor, _____, and effector 

– they are typically regulated through ____ feedback 

– it is when these systems fail that a ____ imbalance or disease 

results

Summary of homeostatic system characteristics: 

– they are dynamic 

– the control center is generally the nervous system or endocrine system 

– they have three components: receptor, control center, and effector 

– they are typically regulated through negative feedback 

– it is when these systems fail that a homeostatic imbalance or disease 

results

homeostatic imbalance 

– Occurs when homeostatic mechanisms for regulating blood glucose are 

not functioning normally 

– Blood glucose fluctuations and high glucose readings