Overview
This lecture covers the foundational concepts of anatomy and physiology, including types of tissues, structural organization, and physiological processes essential for life.
Types of Tissues
- The four types of tissues are epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
Levels of Structural Organization
- Levels from smallest to largest: chemicals, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism.
Structural & Functional Terms
- Homologous structures are organs or bones inherited from a common ancestor by related species.
- Prefix "Osteo-" means bone.
- Prefix "Myo-" means muscle.
- Prefix "Neuro-" refers to nerves or brain.
- Prefix "Endo-" means within.
Homeostasis & Feedback
- Homeostasis is maintaining the body's chemical and physiological balance through feedback loops.
- Feedback loop: system output either amplifies or inhibits the system.
- Positive feedback amplifies a process.
- Negative feedback inhibits a process.
Life Functions & Survival Needs
- Absolutely necessary functions: maintaining balance, movement, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion.
- Less necessary functions: reproduction, growth.
- Survival needs: nutrients, oxygen, water, normal body temperature, atmospheric pressure.
Movement of Substances
- Concentration gradient: spectrum from highest to lowest concentration.
- Diffusion: passive movement of ions from high to low concentration.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Epithelial Tissue — covers body surfaces and lines cavities.
- Connective Tissue — supports, binds, or separates other tissues.
- Muscle Tissue — contracts for movement.
- Nervous Tissue — transmits electrical impulses.
- Homeostasis — regulation of internal environment.
- Feedback Loop — process where system output affects system input.
- Concentration Gradient — difference in substance concentration over a distance.
- Diffusion — movement of particles from high to low concentration.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the four tissue types and examples of each.
- Memorize the levels of structural organization in order.
- Understand feedback loop mechanisms and their examples.
- Study key life functions and survival needs.