Foundations
What is anatomy?
The study of the structure of the body.
What are the three main layers of the skin?
Epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.
What are the two main structural components used to classify joints?
Fibrous tissue, cartilage, and synovial structures.
What are the three types of muscle tissue in the human body?
Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle.
What is the functional unit of the nervous system that sends and receives electrical signals?
neuron
Explain the difference between anatomy and physiology
Anatomy studies structure; physiology studies function/how structures work
What is the main function of keratin in the skin?
Keratin strengthens, protects, and waterproofs the skin, hair, and nails.
What is the main difference between synarthrotic, amphiarthrotic, and diarthrotic joints?
They are classified by movement: immovable, slightly movable, and freely movable joints.
What causes skeletal muscle to appear striated under a microscope?
The organized, repeating arrangement of actin and myosin in sarcomeres creates alternating light and dark bands.
Why does myelination increase the speed of nerve impulse transmission?
Because myelin insulates the axon and allows action potentials to jump between Nodes of Ranvier (saltatory conduction), reducing the need for continuous signal propagation.
A student studies how the lungs exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide at the alveoli. Is this anatomy or physiology? Explain your reasoning.
Physiology, because it focuses on function/exchange processes.
A patient has damage to the dermis. Which skin functions are most likely affected?
Sensation, temperature regulation, blood supply, and accessory structures like hair follicles and glands.
A joint between two long bones is connected by an interosseous membrane allowing slight movement. How would this joint be classified structurally and functionally?
Syndesmosis (fibrous joint) and amphiarthrotic.
If calcium ions are not released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, what will happen to a muscle fiber?
The muscle will not contract because troponin will not move tropomyosin, leaving actin binding sites blocked.
A patient has damage to their cerebellum. What kind of symptoms would you expect?
Problems with balance, coordination, and fine motor control (difficulty maintaining posture and smooth movement).
Compare gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy, and explain how they study the same body differently
Gross = visible without magnification; micro = requires magnification like histology/cytology
How does the structure of spongy bone help reduce bone weight while maintaining strength?
It forms a lattice (trabeculae) that provides structural support along stress lines while leaving open spaces filled with marrow, making bone lighter.
How does the structure of a synovial joint enable smooth movement compared to fibrous and cartilaginous joints?
It has a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid, articular cartilage, and a capsule that reduces friction and allows free movement.
How does the structure of smooth muscle relate to its function compared to skeletal muscle?
Smooth muscle has a non-parallel, web-like arrangement of actin and myosin with no sarcomeres, allowing slow, sustained, involuntary contractions rather than rapid, forceful movement.
How do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems differently affect heart rate?
The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and force of contraction, while the parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate to resting levels.
A patient has a disease that damages tissue structure but leaves chemical processes intact. Predict whether anatomy or physiology is more directly affected and justify your reasoning.
Anatomy is primarily affected because structure is altered; physiology may be secondarily impacted because function depends on structure
Why does osteoporosis increase fracture risk even when bones appear intact externally?
Because bone resorption exceeds formation, internal trabecular structure weakens, reducing bone density and strength even though the outer shape remains unchanged.
Why would damage to synovial membrane or loss of synovial fluid significantly reduce joint function more than damage in fibrous joints?
Because synovial joints rely on lubrication and cushioning for movement, while fibrous joints are already immobile or minimally mobile and less dependent on fluid-based structures for functionn
Why are slow oxidative muscle fibers better suited for posture than fast glycolytic fibers?
Slow oxidative fibers produce less force but are highly resistant to fatigue due to abundant mitochondria and oxygen use, making them ideal for long-term, continuous contraction needed for posture.
A student argues that blocking sodium channels would not significantly affect neural communication. Do you agree or disagree, and why?
Disagree. Blocking sodium channels prevents depolarization and action potential formation, meaning nerve signals cannot propagate.