PhysiologyLesson 1 of 2 in the course An Introduction to the Human Body

Human Life Functions and Life-Span Changes

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson explores four fundamental functions that help define human life: organization, metabolism, responsiveness, and movement. Together, they explain how the body maintains boundaries, uses energy, responds to change, and carries out activity.

The human body contains trillions of cells arranged into tissues, organs, and organ systems. This organization creates distinct internal compartments that keep cells protected, moist, and supplied with nutrients. Boundaries also help prevent harmful substances and microorganisms from entering places where they could cause damage.

All flashcards

Organization
The arrangement of body parts and internal compartments that supports function and protects the internal environment.
How do anabolism and catabolism differ?
Anabolism builds larger, more complex substances using energy; catabolism breaks substances down and releases energy.
What is growth?
An increase in body size, which can involve more cells or non-cellular material, or limited increases in cell size.
What is reproduction?
The formation of a new organism from parent organisms, supporting the continuation of a species.
What can movement include besides movement of the whole body?
Cellular activity, movement of body fluids, organ activity, and muscular actions such as moving air or food.

Quiz questions

  1. What does the cell membrane separate?Answer: The intracellular environment from the extracellular environment.
  2. What happens during catabolism?Answer: Complex substances are broken into simpler molecules, releasing energy.
  3. When body temperature rises, sweating and dilation of skin blood vessels help the body do what?Answer: Increase heat loss in response to an internal change.
  4. Which set lists ways growth can occur in a multicellular organism?Answer: More cells, more surrounding material, or limited increases in cell size.
  5. What is the immediate outcome of reproduction?Answer: Formation of a new organism from parent organisms.

Based on Anatomy and Physiology 2e by J. Gordon Betts, Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Eddie Johnson, Brandon Poe, Dean H. Kruse, Oksana Korol, Jody E. Johnson, Mark Womble, Peter DeSaix (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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