BMSC 207 Midterm Exam Questions with Correct Answers

Physiology The study of the normal functioning of a living organism and its component parts, including all its chemical and physical processes. Aristotle said it was the knowledge of nature. Hippocrates said it was the healing power of nature. Emergent Properties Properties of a complex system that cannot be explained by a knowledge of a systems individual components. A result of complex and nonlinear interactions. We know the structure of a neuron but how it interacts with others is much more complex than the structure implies. An example is the human genome project: 1 gene=1 protein but it is actually much more complex than that. Integrative Science Physiology is this. It covers chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and ecology. It is closely tied to anatomy because the structure will provide a physical base for the function. Cells Smallest unit of structure capable of carrying out life processes. Tissue Collection of cells carrying out related functions. Organ Formation of tissues into a structural and functional unit. Organ System Integrated groups of organs. Body Systems It is often common to study each system individually but there is actually a lot of integration between the organ systems. Some variables are controlled by many systems. Teleological Approach The function or "why" Ex. Why do red blood cells transport oxygen? Because cells need oxygen and the RBC's bring it. Mechanistic Approach The mechanism or "how" Ex. How do RBC's transport oxygen? Oxygen bind to hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This is much more the focus of physiologists. 10 Organ Systems 1- Musculoskeletal-skeletal, muscles, bone 2- Integumentary-skin 3- Digestive- stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas 4- Circulatory- heart, blood vessels, blood 5- Respiratory-Lungs, airway