The study of the functions of living
things
What is Physiology
A dynamic, and relatively stable state in the
internal environment (temperature, pH, blood sugar, hydration)
What is Homeostasis?
Opposes an initial change and is widely
used to maintain homeostasis (ex.controlling room temperature)
What is negative feedback?
Output enhances or amplifies a change so
that the controlled variable continues to
move in the direction of the initial change (ex.childbirth)
What is positive feedback?
Theory that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA, to RNA, to protein
what is The Central Dogma of Biology?
the net diffusion of water down
its own concentration gradient
What is osmosis
the difference in the amount concentration of a substance between two areas
What is concentration gradient?
molecules travel through the cell membrane, from a high concentration to a low concentration
what is simple diffusion?
the broader category that includes both simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion.
What is passive diffusion
molecules travel through the cell membrane, from a high concentration to a low concentration with the help of channels/carriers
what is facilitated diffusion?
molecules travel through the cell membrane, from a low concentration to a high concentration using direct cell energy (ATP)
what is primary active diffusion/transport
molecules travel through the cell membrane, from a low concentration to a high concentration using indirect cell energy (Na+/K+ pump)
what is secondary active diffusion/transport?
specialized cells or proteins that detect stimuli (light, chemicals, pressure) and convert them into neural signals
What are receptors?
a molecule that binds to a specific receptor protein
What is a ligand?
cells that possess unique receptors for a specific hormone or signal, enabling them to respond to it.
What are target cells?
the process where cells send and receive messages to coordinate functions
What are signaling cells/cell signaling?
synthesize, store, and secrete a specific substances (ex.hormones, enzymes, sweat, saliva)
What are secretory cells?
when a cell signals to itself
a cell signaling to nearby, adjacent cells
what is paracrine?
long-distance communication where ligands travel through the bloodstream to reach target cells anywhere in the body
what is endocrine?
chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses between neurons (ex.mood, movement, thought)
what are neurotransmitters?
the junction or tiny gap between 2 neurons or neuron and a target cell where nerve impulses are transmitted
what are synapses?
a chemical messenger made by glands that control and regulate the activity of certain organs and cells (ex. growth, mood, metabolism)
what are hormones?
a wave of electricity that travels down the axon of neuron from the cell body to the axon terminals.
what is action potential?
a condition in which there's too much water in your body, and it affects your body's cells
water intoxication