Review Concepts:
Chapter 1
An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
o Homeostasis
A relatively constant internal environment
All living things:
Respond to changes in their immediate environment
Show adaptability
Grow, develop, and reproduce
Are capable of some degree of movement
If this movement is from one place to another, it’s called locomotion
Life functions require energy
o Energy must be replaced when used
For animals, energy is “captured” by:
o Absorption of oxygen from atmosphere through
respiration
o Absorption of various chemicals from environment
Small organisms
o Able to transfer energy and waste across exposed surfaces
Larger organisms
o Must process complex foods to simpler components (digestion)
o Perform absorption, respiration, and excretion in different portions of
the body
o Must then distribute materials around the body (circulation)
Anatomy
o Literally means “a cutting open”
o Study of the structures of the body
o Study of the physical relationships among body parts
Divisions of anatomical study
o Gross anatomy or macroscopic anatomy
Study of large structures and features, that is, usually visible
with the unaided eye
Example: structures of dissected heart
o Microscopic anatomy
Study of structures that cannot be seen without magnification
Example: cellular structure of heart wall
o Microscopic anatomy (continued)
Limited by equipment
o Dissecting microscope – can see tissues
o Light microscope – can see basic cell structure
o Electron microscope – can see individual molecules
, Specific functions are performed by specific structures
o Link between structure and function not always understood
o 200 years between description of heart anatomy and demonstration of
its function as a pump
Physiology
o Study of function
o Complex and more difficult to examine than anatomical structures
o Focuses on functional properties
Examples of physiology topics
o Electrical events within the heart coordinating the heartbeat
Measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG)
o Pressure changes within the heart and major arteries
.
Physiology and anatomy are closely interrelated in theory and in practice
o One cannot be fully understood without the other
Anatomical details have an effect on function
Physiological mechanisms are understood in terms of
underlying structural relationships
Examples
o The elbow joint is an example of interrelationship between structure
and function at the gross anatomy level
Functions like a hinge
Allows movement in one plane
o Forearm moves toward or away from shoulder, but does
not twist
Anatomical structures impose functional limits
o Chemical messengers and cellular receptors are examples of
relationship between structure and function at the
microscopic/chemical level
Cells communicate using specifically shaped molecules called
chemical messengers
Receptors on target cells receive the message only if the
messenger molecule fits the shape of receptor
Levels of Organization
o The human body is complex, representing multiple levels of
organization
Each level more complex than underlying one
All can be broken down to similar chemical and cellular
components
Chemical level
o Atoms combine to form molecules
o Functional properties of molecule determined by its:
Unique three-dimensional shape
Atomic components
Cellular level
Cells are the smallest living units in the body
Chapter 1
An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
o Homeostasis
A relatively constant internal environment
All living things:
Respond to changes in their immediate environment
Show adaptability
Grow, develop, and reproduce
Are capable of some degree of movement
If this movement is from one place to another, it’s called locomotion
Life functions require energy
o Energy must be replaced when used
For animals, energy is “captured” by:
o Absorption of oxygen from atmosphere through
respiration
o Absorption of various chemicals from environment
Small organisms
o Able to transfer energy and waste across exposed surfaces
Larger organisms
o Must process complex foods to simpler components (digestion)
o Perform absorption, respiration, and excretion in different portions of
the body
o Must then distribute materials around the body (circulation)
Anatomy
o Literally means “a cutting open”
o Study of the structures of the body
o Study of the physical relationships among body parts
Divisions of anatomical study
o Gross anatomy or macroscopic anatomy
Study of large structures and features, that is, usually visible
with the unaided eye
Example: structures of dissected heart
o Microscopic anatomy
Study of structures that cannot be seen without magnification
Example: cellular structure of heart wall
o Microscopic anatomy (continued)
Limited by equipment
o Dissecting microscope – can see tissues
o Light microscope – can see basic cell structure
o Electron microscope – can see individual molecules
, Specific functions are performed by specific structures
o Link between structure and function not always understood
o 200 years between description of heart anatomy and demonstration of
its function as a pump
Physiology
o Study of function
o Complex and more difficult to examine than anatomical structures
o Focuses on functional properties
Examples of physiology topics
o Electrical events within the heart coordinating the heartbeat
Measured by an electrocardiogram (ECG)
o Pressure changes within the heart and major arteries
.
Physiology and anatomy are closely interrelated in theory and in practice
o One cannot be fully understood without the other
Anatomical details have an effect on function
Physiological mechanisms are understood in terms of
underlying structural relationships
Examples
o The elbow joint is an example of interrelationship between structure
and function at the gross anatomy level
Functions like a hinge
Allows movement in one plane
o Forearm moves toward or away from shoulder, but does
not twist
Anatomical structures impose functional limits
o Chemical messengers and cellular receptors are examples of
relationship between structure and function at the
microscopic/chemical level
Cells communicate using specifically shaped molecules called
chemical messengers
Receptors on target cells receive the message only if the
messenger molecule fits the shape of receptor
Levels of Organization
o The human body is complex, representing multiple levels of
organization
Each level more complex than underlying one
All can be broken down to similar chemical and cellular
components
Chemical level
o Atoms combine to form molecules
o Functional properties of molecule determined by its:
Unique three-dimensional shape
Atomic components
Cellular level
Cells are the smallest living units in the body
