Biol 121 – Chapter 1 – 08-27-2020
Opening definitions:
1. anatomy – the science of body structures and the relationships between them
2. physiology – the science of body function – attempts to explain how the body works
a. pathophysiology – this is the study of functional changes in the body that are associated with
disease and with the aging process
Structural Organization of Matter in Your Body (Fig 1.1)
(Very small to much larger)
1. atoms (Ex. Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.) 2. Molecules (Ex. H2O, O2, tRNA, tRNA,
methionine, insulin, DNA, RNA) 3. Nanostructures/nanomachines (Ex. Ribosome, any cell organelle –
lysosomes, golgi complex, mitochondria) 4. Cell (Ex. Bacteria cells, Amoeba proteus, human cells – red
blood cells) 5. Tissue (Ex. Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous) 6. Organs (Ex. Heart, liver, spleen,
each bone of the skeleton) 7. Organ systems (Table 1.2- muscular system; digestive system, endocrine
system) 8. Complete human body
Homeostasis
1. homeostasis – this refers to a state of equilibrium (balance) inside your body that is maintained by
regulatory mechanisms
a. regulatory mechanisms – can act at the level of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
Example: What should your resting (fasting) blood sugar level be? 70 – 110 milligrams per deciliter
a. milligrams – thousands of a gram; 70 – 110 thousands of a gram of sugar dissolved in each
deciliter of blood plasma
b. deciliter – one tenth of a liter
2. Be aware that many homeostatically normal body parameters are provided – consult Appendix C
Biol 121 – Chpts 1 & 2 – 09-01-2020
Homeostasis continued:
1. regulation of body conditions/parameters – like blood glucose level – is achieved through feedback
systems
2. feedback system – this refers to all the body parts (cells, tissues, organs, organ systems) that work
together as a team to monitor a body condition (like blood sugar, body temperature, pH of blood plasma,
etc, etc.) , determine if that condition is within a normal/healthy range of values, and take corrective
action if necessary.
3. feedback systems are made of several components:
Opening definitions:
1. anatomy – the science of body structures and the relationships between them
2. physiology – the science of body function – attempts to explain how the body works
a. pathophysiology – this is the study of functional changes in the body that are associated with
disease and with the aging process
Structural Organization of Matter in Your Body (Fig 1.1)
(Very small to much larger)
1. atoms (Ex. Carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.) 2. Molecules (Ex. H2O, O2, tRNA, tRNA,
methionine, insulin, DNA, RNA) 3. Nanostructures/nanomachines (Ex. Ribosome, any cell organelle –
lysosomes, golgi complex, mitochondria) 4. Cell (Ex. Bacteria cells, Amoeba proteus, human cells – red
blood cells) 5. Tissue (Ex. Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous) 6. Organs (Ex. Heart, liver, spleen,
each bone of the skeleton) 7. Organ systems (Table 1.2- muscular system; digestive system, endocrine
system) 8. Complete human body
Homeostasis
1. homeostasis – this refers to a state of equilibrium (balance) inside your body that is maintained by
regulatory mechanisms
a. regulatory mechanisms – can act at the level of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
Example: What should your resting (fasting) blood sugar level be? 70 – 110 milligrams per deciliter
a. milligrams – thousands of a gram; 70 – 110 thousands of a gram of sugar dissolved in each
deciliter of blood plasma
b. deciliter – one tenth of a liter
2. Be aware that many homeostatically normal body parameters are provided – consult Appendix C
Biol 121 – Chpts 1 & 2 – 09-01-2020
Homeostasis continued:
1. regulation of body conditions/parameters – like blood glucose level – is achieved through feedback
systems
2. feedback system – this refers to all the body parts (cells, tissues, organs, organ systems) that work
together as a team to monitor a body condition (like blood sugar, body temperature, pH of blood plasma,
etc, etc.) , determine if that condition is within a normal/healthy range of values, and take corrective
action if necessary.
3. feedback systems are made of several components:
