Key Terms
Anatomy
Scientific study of body STRUCTURES; from Greek "to cut apart"
Physiology
Scientific study of body FUNCTIONS; how structures work together to support life
Gross (macroscopic) anatomy
Structures visible to the naked eye
Microscopic anatomy
Structures requiring magnification
Regional anatomy
Focuses on all structures in one specific body region (example: the abdomen) Systemic anatomy: focuses on all structures
Neurophysiology
Brain, spinal cord, nerves; functions like vision, movement, thinking Physiologists work at multiple scales: organ level
Tissue
Group of similar cells performing a specific function 4. Organ: anatomically distinct structure; two or more tissue type
Organization
Body maintains distinct internal compartments; separates internal fluids from external threats; skin is the largest orga
Metabolism
Sum of ALL chemical reactions in the body
Responsiveness
Ability to adjust to internal and external changes (example: sweating when body temperature rises)
Movement
Includes joint movement AND internal movement (blood cells circulating, muscles adjusting posture, glands secreting)
Development
All changes the body goes through in life
Reproduction
Formation of new organisms from parent organisms; without it, the line of organisms ends
Body responses to HEAT
Sweating (evaporation removes thermal energy); vasodilation in skin; increased breathing depth Body responses to COLD: s
Homeostasis
The steady state of internal conditions maintained by living organisms Set point: the ideal physiological value a parame