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Essay: Understanding Anatomy and Physiology: Key Concepts and Branches

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  • Published: 1 April 2019*
  • Last Modified: 23 July 2024
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  • Words: 1,407 (approx)
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Distinguish between anatomy and physiology, and identify several branches of each

Anatomy is the study of the structure of body parts

Physiology – is the scientific study of the chemistry and physics of the structures of the body and the ways in which they work together to support the functions of life.

Anatomy branches include: Gross, microscopic, regional, and systematic.

Physiological branches include: microscopic, developmental, comparative, and practical

Describe the structure of the body, from simplest to most complex, in terms of the six levels of organization. chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, organism

Identify the functional characteristics of human life: organization, metabolism, responsiveness, movement, development, and reproduction

Identify the four requirements for human survival: Oxygen, nurtients, narrow range of temperature, narrow range of atmospheric pressure.

Define homeostasis and explain its importance to normal human functioning: Homeostasis is the bodys capability of maintaining stable conditions such as, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. It is important because without homeostasis, we would not be able to function normally or comfortably.

Use appropriate anatomical terminology to identify key body structures, body regions, and directions in the body: Regional, directional, anatomical position, body planes, cavities and serous membranes.

Compare and contrast at least four medical imagining techniques in terms of their function and use in medicine: X ray, CT scan, MRI, and PET.

Chapter 2

Describe the fundamental composition of matter: Matter is anything that occupies space, and has mass.

Identify the three subatomic particles: protons, electrons, and neutrons.

Identify the four most abundant elements in the body: Oxygen, Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen.

Distinguish between ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and hydrogen bonds: Ionic bond iscomplete gain or loss of electrons between two atoms, whereas in covalent bond only sharing of electrons takes place. Hydrogen bonding involves bonding of highly electronegative elements like fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen with hydrogen.

Explain how energy is invested, stored, and released via chemical reactions, particularly those reactions that are critical to life: There are 4 forms of energy that are needed for human functioning, they are: chemical energy, which is stored and then released as chemical bonds are formed and broken down; mechanical energy, which directly powers physical activity; radiant energy, emitted as waves such as in sunlight; and electrical energy, the power of moving electrons.

Explain the importance of the inorganic compounds that contribute to life, such as water, salts, acids, and bases: These compound do not include both carbon, and hydrogen, but are essential to life.

Chapter 3

Describe the structure and function of the cell membrane, including its regulation of materials into and out of the cell: The cell membrane is a pliable structure composed primarily of back-to-back phospholipids. The cell membrane separates the inner contents of a cell from its exterior environment. This cell membrane provides a protective barrier around the cell and regulates which materials can pass in or out.

Describe the functions of the various cytoplasmic organelles: There are several organelles inside of cells.  A few include a nucleus, which is the central organelle and it contains the cells DNA. A ribosome is another and it is the site where protein synthesis takes place.

Explain the structure and contents of the nucleus, as well as the process of DNA replication

The nucleus is the control center of the cell. The nucleus of living cells contains the genetic

material that determines the structure and function of that cell. The Nucleus includes nuclear pores, nuclear envelope, chromatin, nucleolus, and cisternae. DNA happens in three stages, initiation, elongation, and termination.  

 List the stages of the cell cycle in order, including the steps of cell division in somatic cells: Interphase, followed by mitosis and cytokinesis.

Discuss how a cell differentiates and becomes more specialized: By manipulating its genes.

• List the morphological and physiological characteristics of some representative cell types in the human body: The differences in gene expressions determines the cells morphological, and physiological characteristics.

Chapter 4

Identify the main tissue types and discuss their roles in the human body

Epithelial tissue, which covers the outside of the body. Connective tissue which holds body parts and organs together. Muscle tissue which is our muscles. Nervous tissue which allows signals to move around in our bodies.

Identify the four types of tissue membranes and the characteristics of each that make them functional. Connective tissue membrane that holds our organs and joints together. Synovial membrane that lines our joints. Epithelial membrane which attaches to a layer of connective tissue like our skin.  Mucus membrane which lines cavities and hollow areas of our bodies. Cutaneous membrane which acts as our skin.

Explain the functions of various epithelial tissues and how their forms enable their functions

Epithelial tissues provide the body’s first line of protection from physical, chemical, and biological wear and tear. The cells of an epithelium act as a guard of the body controlling permeability and allow transfer of materials across a physical barrier. Anything that goes into the body must cross a epithelium. Some epithelia often include structural features that allow the selective transport of molecules and ions across cell membranes.

Explain the functions of various connective tissues and how their forms enable their functions

Supports and connects other tissues from the connective tissue sheath that surrounds muscle cells, to the tendons that attach muscles to bones, and to the skeleton that supports the positions of the body. Protection is also a form of connective tissue, in the form of fibrous capsules and bones that protect delicate organs and, of course, the skeletal system. Specialized cells in connective tissue defend the body from microorganisms that enter the body. Transport of fluid, nutrients, waste, and chemical messengers is ensured by specialized fluid connective tissues, such as blood and lymph. Adipose cells store surplus energy in the form of fat and contribute to the thermal insulation of the body.

Describe the characteristics of muscle tissue and how these enable function

Muscle tissue is characterized by properties that allow movement. Muscle cells are excitable; they respond to a stimulus. They are contractile, meaning they can shorten and generate a pulling force. When attached between two movable objects, in other words, bones, contractions of the muscles cause the bones to move. Some muscle movement is voluntary, which means it is under conscious control. For example, a person decides to open a book and read a chapter on anatomy. Other movements are involuntary, meaning they are not under conscious control, such as the contraction of your pupil in bright light.

Discuss the characteristics of nervous tissue and how these enable information processing and control of muscular and glandular activities

Nervous tissue is characterized as being excitable and capable of sending and receiving electrochemical signals that provide the body with information. Two main classes of cells make up nervous tissue: the neuron and neuroglia. Neurons propagate information via electrochemical impulses, called action potentials, which are biochemically linked to

the release of chemical signals. Neuroglia play an essential role in supporting neurons and modulating their information propagation.

Chapter 5

Describe the integumentary system and the role it plays in homeostasis

Our skin and its accessories make up the integumentary system. It helps with homeostasis by using sweat glands to keep our internal body temperatures within specific temperatures.

Describe the layers of the skin and the functions of each layer

The skin has two layers: the epidermis, made of packed down epithelial cells, and the dermis, made of dense, irregular connective tissue that houses blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures. Beneath our dermis is the hypodermis, which is composed mainly of loose connective/fatty tissues.

Describe the accessory structures of the skin and the functions of each

Accessory structures of the skin include hair, nails which protect the tips of our fingers and toes as they are the farthest extremities and the parts of the body that experience the maximum mechanical stress, sweat glands which keep our temperatures regulated, and sebaceous glands which lubricate and protect the skin.

Describe the changes that occur in the integumentary system during the aging process

Changes that occur include: reductions in cell division, metabolic activity, blood circulation, hormonal levels, and muscle strength.

Discuss several common diseases, disorders, and injuries that affect the integumentary system

The integumentary system can get several diseases, disorders, and injuries. These range from annoying but relatively benign bacterial or fungal infections that are categorized as disorders, to skin cancer and severe burns, which can be fatal.

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