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Introduction To Physiology: Ethem Gelir, M.D., Assoc. Prof. of Physiology

This document provides an introduction to human physiology by defining key terms and concepts. It explains that physiology studies the functions of the human body, while anatomy studies its structure. The document outlines the different levels of organization in the human body from organelles to cells to tissues to organs to organ systems. Each of the 11 major organ systems are then briefly described, including their structures and main functions.

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Mohmed El King
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109 views26 pages

Introduction To Physiology: Ethem Gelir, M.D., Assoc. Prof. of Physiology

This document provides an introduction to human physiology by defining key terms and concepts. It explains that physiology studies the functions of the human body, while anatomy studies its structure. The document outlines the different levels of organization in the human body from organelles to cells to tissues to organs to organ systems. Each of the 11 major organ systems are then briefly described, including their structures and main functions.

Uploaded by

Mohmed El King
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO

PHYSIOLOGY
Ethem Gelir, M.D.,
Assoc. Prof. Of Physiology
Why are we here?

• Obviously, to learn about human anatomy


and physiology.
• But, what does that mean?
• Before we begin, we’ve got to figure a few
things out:
1. What’s a human?
2. What’s anatomy?
3. What’s physiology?
What are humans?
• Organisms are classified as
human because they are:
– Animals
– Vertebrates
• Possess backbones
– Mammals
• Possess:
– Mammary glands
– Hair
– Endothermy (i.e., we generate heat internally)
– Heterodonty (i.e., we have teeth w/ different shapes and
functions)
– 3 middle ear bones.
What are humans?
– Primates
• Possess:
– Opposable thumbs (can you touch your pinky with
your thumb?). What advantage does this confer?
– 2 clavicles (collarbones)
– Only 2 mammary glands. Why only 2? (Think about
how many kids a woman normally gives birth to.)
– Forward facing eyes with stereoscopic vision (for
depth perception)
– Hominids
• Bipedal (walk on 2 legs)
• Possess a large brain size/body size ratio
• What is anatomy?
– Anatomy is defined as the study of structure.
• Structure refers to the shapes, sizes, and
characteristics of the components of the
human body.
• The word anatomy comes from 2 words:
– Ana which means “up or apart”
– Tomos which means “to cut”
Types of Anatomy
• We can divide our study of structure into 2 parts:
• Study of stuff seen by the naked eye (Gross Anatomy).

• Study of stuff seen ONLY with the microscope (Microanatomy).


– We can divide microanatomy into:
» Histology – study of tissues
» Cytology – study of individual cells.
Physiology

• Physiology is defined as
the study of function – so
human physiology
attempts to explain how
and why humans function.
• Physiology is where we
figure out how stuff
works.
• How do muscles contract?
• How do we run?
• How does our heart beat?
Some Important Themes

1. Biology is hierarchical with each level building


on the level below it.
2. Each level of biological structure has emergent
properties.
3. Cells are an organism’s basic unit of structure
and function.
4. Structure and function are correlated at all levels
of biological organization!!!!!!!!
5. Regulatory mechanisms ensure a dynamic
balance in living systems.
Organelle
Levels of Structure
Cell
• In order to understand how
something is built and how
something works, you must
look at all of its components Tissue
and analyze them both
individually and together.
• In doing these collective and
separate analyses, you must Organ
examine things at multiple
structural levels, i.e., one must
break them down from large to Organ System
small – this is called
reductionism
• An organism (such as a human
being) may be broken down as Organism
illustrated on the left.
Levels of Structure

• The basic unit of life is the cell.


• All living organisms are composed of one or more
cells.
• The human body contains about 100 trillion cells.
• There are about 200 different types of cells in the
human body.
• The different types of cells have different features but
for the most part, all cells are made up of organelles
and various macromolecules (e.g., proteins, lipids,
carbohydrates and nucleic acids).
• Organelles themselves are made of these
macromolecules and macromolecules are polymers of
smaller molecules which consist of atoms of various
chemical elements.
A Prototypical Cell
Important Organelles
• Plasma Membrane → Separates the cell exterior
from the cell interior (cytoplasm).
• Nucleus → Membrane bound structure that
contains deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) which is
the set of instructions for the synthesis of all the
body’s proteins.
• Mitochondria → Structure bound by a double
membrane and the site at which the energy
stored in sugars and other organic molecules is
transferred to ATP, the chemical which acts as
the “currency” for energy in the cell.
• Ribosomes → Sites of protein synthesis. May
be free – floating in the cytoplasm – or bound to
the endoplasmic reticulum.
Important Organelles
• Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum →
Membranous set of tubes with
ribosomes studded along its surface.
Site of the synthesis of proteins that are
destined to be exported from the cell.
• Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum → ER
w/o the attached ribosomes. Site of
cellular lipid synthesis, among other
things.
• Golgi Apparatus → Membrane bound
organelle responsible for determining
the direction of proteins synthesized in
the rough ER.
• Lysosomes → Membrane bound
organelle that houses digestive
enzymes that can be used to break
down ingested toxins or worn out cell
parts.
More Levels of Structure
• Similar cells and cell products
come together to form tissues.
• A structure made of 2 or more
tissue types that perform a
particular function is an
organ.
• A group of organs with a
unique collective function is
an organ system. There are
11 of these in the human
body.
Integumentary System
• Structures:
- Skin, hair, sweat and oil glands
• Functions:
- Forms the external body covering
- Protects deeper tissues from injury
- Involved in vitamin D synthesis
- Prevents desiccation, heat loss, and
pathogen entry
- Site of pain and pressure receptors
Skeletal System

• Structures:
– The 206 bones of the human body
• Functions:
– Protects and supports body organs
• What characteristics might bone have that
allows it to support and protect?
– Provides a framework that muscles can use to
create movement
– Hemopoiesis (synthesis of blood cells)
– Mineral storage
• Bone contains 99% of the body’s store of what
mineral? (Hint  you can get this mineral from
drinking milk)
Muscular System
• Structures:
– The 600+ muscles of
the body
• Functions:
– Locomotion
– Manipulation of the
environment
– Maintaining posture
– Thermogenesis
(generation of heat)
Nervous System
• Structures:
– Brain, spinal cord, and
peripheral nerves
• Functions:
– Fast-acting control system of
the body
– Monitoring of the internal
and external environment
and responding (when
necessary) by initiating
muscular or glandular
activity
Endocrine System
• Structures:
– Hormone-secreting glands
• Pituitary, Thyroid, Thymus, Pineal,
Parathyroid, Adrenal, Pancreas,
Small Intestine, Stomach, Testes,
Ovaries, Kidneys, Heart
• Functions:
– Long-term control system of the
body
– Regulates growth, reproduction,
and nutrient use among other
things.
Cardiovascular System

• Structures:
– Heart, Blood vessels (arteries, veins,
and capillaries)
• Functions:
– The heart pumps blood thru the
blood vessels.
– Blood provides the transport medium
for nutrients (glucose, amino acids,
lipids), gases (O2, CO2), wastes
(urea, creatinine), signaling
molecules (hormones), and heat.
Lymphatic/Immune
System
• Structures:
– Lymphatic vessels, Lymph nodes,
Spleen, Thymus, Red bone marrow
• Functions:
– Returning “leaked” fluid back to the
bloodstream,
– Disposal of debris
– Attacking and resisting foreign
invaders (pathogens i.e., disease-
causing organisms)
Respiratory System

• Structures:
– Nasal cavity, pharynx,
trachea, bronchi, lungs
• Functions:
– Constantly supply the
blood with O2, and
remove CO2
– Regulate blood pH
Digestive System
• Structures:
– Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small
intestine, large intestine, rectum, salivary
glands, pancreas, liver, gallbladder
• Functions:
– Ingestion and subsequent breakdown of food
into absorbable units that will enter the blood
for distribution to the body’s cells
Urinary System
• Structures:
– Kidneys, ureters, urinary
bladder,
urethra
• Functions:
– Removal of nitrogenous
wastes
– Regulation of body’s
levels of water,
electrolytes, and acidity
Reproductive System
• Structures:
– Male:
• Testes, scrotum, epididymis,
vas deferens, urethra, prostate
gland, seminal vesicles, penis
– Female:
• Ovary, uterine tube, uterus,
cervix, vagina, mammary
glands
• Functions:
– Production of offspring

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