Physiology - Homeostasis: A Framework For Human Physiology

Front 1

cell differentiation

Back 1

the process of transforming an unspecialized cell into a specialized cell.

Front 2

muscle cells

Back 2

specialized to generate the mechanical forces that produce movement.

Front 3

nerve cells

Back 3

specialized to initiate and conduct electrical signals, often over long distances.

-a signal may initiate new electrical signals in other nerve cells, or it may stimulate a gland cell to secrete substances or a muscle cell to contract.

-nerve cells provide a major means of controlling the activities of other cells

Front 4

epithelial cells

Back 4

specialized for the selective secretion and absorption of ions and organic molecules, and for protection.

they are located mainly at the surfaces that cover the body or individual organs, and they line the walls of various tubular and hollow structures within the body.

Front 5

connective tissue cells

Back 5

connect, anchor and support the structures of the body.

some types include adipose cells, bone cells, red blood cells, and white blood cells

Front 6

what are the four general classes of tissues?

Back 6

muscle tissue, nerve tissue, epithelial tissue, and connective tissue

Front 7

extracellular matrix's two general functions

Back 7

1. it provides a scaffold for cellular attachments, and

2. it transmits information, in the form of chemical messengers, to the cells to help regulate their activity, migration, growth, and differentiation

Front 8

the proteins of the extracellular matrix?

Back 8

collagen fibers and elastin fibers.

Front 9

extracellular fluid

Back 9

collectively, the fluid present in blood and in the spaces surrounding cells.

PLASMA is the fluid portion of blood. accounts for about 20 - 25 percent

the remaining 75-80 lies around and between cells, known as the INTERSTITIAL FLUID.

Front 10

intracellular fluid

Back 10

the fluid INSIDE the cells.

Front 11

Homeostasis

Back 11

a state of reasonably stable balance between physiological variables.

* some variables undergo fairly dramatic swings around and average value during the course of a day, yet are still considered balance, because homeostasis is dynamic, not a static process (ex. blood levels of glucose/time of the day)

Front 12

negative feedback

Back 12

system in which an increase or decrease in the variable being regulated brings about responses that tend to move the variable in the direction OPPOSITE ("negative to")

Front 13

positive feedback

Back 13

system in which an initial disturbance sets off train of events that increases the disturbance even further

it accelerates a process, leading to an "explosive" system